Michael J. Ramsey-Musolf

CERN LHC phenomenology of an extended standard model with a real scalar singlet

Gauge singlet extensions of the standard model (SM) scalar sector may help remedy its theoretical and phenomenological shortcomings while solving outstanding problems in cosmology. Depending on the symmetries of the scalar potential, such extensions may provide a viable candidate for the observed relic density of cold dark matter or a strong first order electroweak phase transition needed for electroweak baryogenesis. Using the simplest extension of the SM scalar sector with one real singlet field, we analyze the generic implications of a singlet-extended scalar sector for Higgs boson phenomenology at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We consider two broad scenarios: one in which the neutral SM Higgs and singlet mix and the other in which no mixing occurs and the singlet can be a dark matter particle. For the first scenario, we analyze constraints from electroweak precision observables and their implications for LHC Higgs phenomenology. For models in which the singlet is stable, we determine the conditions under which it can yield the observed relic density, compute the cross sections for direct detection in recoil experiments, and discuss the corresponding signatures at the LHC.

Solar fusion cross sections II: the pp chain and CNO cycles

The available data on nuclear fusion cross sections important to energy generation in the Sun and other hydrogen-burning stars and to solar neutrino production are summarized and critically evaluated. Recommended values and uncertainties are provided for key cross sections, and a recommended spectrum is given for {sup 8}B solar neutrinos. Opportunities for further increasing the precision of key rates are also discussed, including new facilities, new experimental techniques, and improvements in theory. This review, which summarizes the conclusions of a workshop held at the Institute for Nuclear Theory, Seattle, in January 2009, is intended as a 10-year update and supplement to 1998, Rev. Mod. Phys. 70, 1265.

Singlet Higgs phenomenology and the electroweak phase transition

We study the phenomenology of gauge singlet extensions of the Standard Model scalar sector and their implications for the electroweak phase transition. We determine the conditions on the scalar potential parameters that lead to a strong first order phase transition as needed to produce the observed baryon asymmetry of the universe. We analyze the constraints on the potential parameters derived from Higgs boson searches at LEP and electroweak precision observables. For models that satisfy these constraints and that produce a strong first order phase transition, we discuss the prospective signatures in future Higgs studies at the Large Hadron Collider and a Linear Collider. We argue that such studies will provide powerful probes of phase transition dynamics in models with an extended scalar sector.

Electric dipole moments of nucleons, nuclei, and atoms: The Standard Model and beyond

Searches for the permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) of molecules, atoms, nucleons and nuclei provide powerful probes of CP violation both within the Standard Model and beyond the Standard Model (BSM). The interpretation of experimental EDM limits requires careful delineation of physics at a wide range of scales, from the long-range atomic and molecular scales to the short-distance dynamics of physics at or beyond the Fermi scale. In this review, we provide a framework for disentangling contributions from physics at these disparate scales, building out from the set of dimension four and six effective operators that embody CP violation at the Fermi scale. We survey computations of hadronic and nuclear matrix elements associated with Fermi-scale CP violation in systems of experimental interest and quantify the present level of theoretical uncertainty in these calculations. Using representative BSM scenarios of current interest, we discuss ways in which the interplay of physics at various scales can generate EDMs at a potentially observable level.

Complex singlet extension of the standard model

We analyze a simple extension of the standard model (SM) obtained by adding a complex singlet to the scalar sector (cxSM). We show that the cxSM can contain one or two viable cold dark matter candidates and analyze the conditions on the parameters of the scalar potential that yield the observed relic density. When the cxSM potential contains a global U(1) symmetry that is both softly and spontaneously broken, it contains both a viable dark matter candidate and the ingredients necessary for a strong first order electroweak phase transition as needed for electroweak baryogenesis. We also study the implications of the model for discovery of a Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider.

Vacuum stability, perturbativity, and scalar singlet dark matter

We analyze the one-loop vacuum stability and perturbativity bounds on a singlet extension of the Standard Model (SM) scalar sector containing a scalar dark matter candidate. We show that the presence of the singlet-doublet quartic interaction relaxes the vacuum stability lower bound on the SM Higgs mass as a function of the cutoff and lowers the corresponding upper bound based on perturbativity considerations. We also find that vacuum stability requirements may place a lower bound on the singlet dark matter mass for given singlet quartic self coupling, leading to restrictions on the parameter space consistent with the observed relic density. We argue that discovery of a light singlet scalar dark matter particle could provide indirect information on the singlet quartic self-coupling.

The Strange Quark Contribution to the Proton's Magnetic Moment

Abstract We report a new determination of the strange quark contribution to the protons magnetic form factor at a four-momentum transfer Q 2 =0.1 (GeV/ c ) 2 from parity-violating e – p elastic scattering. The result uses a revised analysis of data from the SAMPLE experiment which was carried out at the MIT-Bates Laboratory. The data are combined with a calculation of the protons axial form factor G e A to determine the strange form factor G s M ( Q 2 =0.1)=0.37±0.20±0.26±0.07. The extrapolation of G s M to its Q 2 =0 limit and comparison with calculations is also discussed.

Hadronic light-by-light contribution to muon g - 2 in chiral perturbation theory.

We compute the hadronic light-by-light scattering contributions to the muon anomalous magnetic moment, a(LL)(mu)(had), in chiral perturbation theory that are enhanced by large logarithms and a factor of N(C). They depend on a low-energy constant constrained by eta-->mu(+) mu(-) and pi(0)-->e(+)e(-) branching ratios. However, the dependence of a(LL)(mu)(had) on nonlogarithmically enhanced effects cannot be constrained except through the measurement of the anomalous moment itself.

Baryon washout, electroweak phase transition, and perturbation theory

We analyze the conventional perturbative treatment of sphaleron-induced baryon number washout relevant for electroweak baryogenesis and show that it is not gauge-independent due to the failure of consistently implementing the Nielsen identities order-byorder in perturbation theory. We provide a gauge-independent criterion for baryon number preservation in place of the conventional (gauge-dependent) criterion needed for successful electroweak baryogenesis. We also review the arguments leading to the preservation criterion and analyze several sources of theoretical uncertainties in obtaining a numerical bound. In various beyond the standard model scenarios, a realistic perturbative treatment will likely require knowledge of the complete two-loop finite temperature effective potential and the one-loop sphaleron rate.

Complex scalar singlet dark matter: Vacuum stability and phenomenology

We analyze one-loop vacuum stability, perturbativity, and phenomenological constraints on a complex singlet extension of the standard model scalar sector containing a scalar dark matter candidate. We study vacuum stability considerations using a gauge-invariant approach and compare with the conventional gauge-dependent procedure. We show that, if new physics exists at the TeV scale, the vacuum stability analysis and experimental constraints from the dark matter sector, electroweak precision data, and LEP allow both a Higgs-like scalar in the mass range allowed by the latest results from CMS and ATLAS and a lighter singlet-like scalar with weak couplings to standard model particles. If instead no new physics appears until higher energy scales, there may be significant tension between the vacuum stability analysis and phenomenological constraints (in particular electroweak precision data) to the extent that the complex singlet extension with light Higgs and singlet masses would be ruled out. We comment on the possible implications of a scalar with ∼125  GeV mass and future ATLAS invisible decay searches.