Yasaman Farzan

Physics at a future Neutrino Factory and super-beam facility

The conclusions of the Physics Working Group of the International Scoping Study of a future Neutrino Factory and super-beam facility (the ISS) are presented. The ISS was carried out by the international community between NuFact05, (the 7th International Workshop on Neutrino Factories and Super-beams, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Rome, 21–26 June 2005) and NuFact06 (Ivine, CA, 24–30 August 2006). The physics case for an extensive experimental programme to understand the properties of the neutrino is presented and the role of high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillations within this programme is discussed in detail. The performance of second-generation super-beam experiments, beta-beam facilities and the Neutrino Factory are evaluated and a quantitative comparison of the discovery potential of the three classes of facility is presented. High-precision studies of the properties of the muon are complementary to the study of neutrino oscillations. The Neutrino Factory has the potential to provide extremely intense muon beams and the physics potential of such beams is discussed in the final section of the report.The conclusions of the Physics Working Group of the International Scoping Study of a future Neutrino Factory and super-beam facility (the ISS) are presented. The ISS was carried out by the international community between NuFact05, (the 7th International Workshop on Neutrino Factories and Superbeams, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Rome, June 21-26, 2005) and NuFact06 (Irvine, California, 2430 August 2006). The physics case for an extensive experimental programme to understand the properties of the neutrino is presented and the role of high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillations within this programme is discussed in detail. The performance of second generation super-beam experiments, beta-beam facilities, and the Neutrino Factory are evaluated and a quantitative comparison of the discovery potential of the three classes of facility is presented. High-precision studies of the properties of the muon are complementary to the study of neutrino oscillations. The Neutrino Factory has the potential to provide extremely intense muon beams and the physics potential of such beams is discussed in the final section of the report. The ISS Physics Working Group Editors: S.F. King1, K. Long2, Y. Nagashima3, B.L. Roberts4, and O. Yasuda5.

Leptonic Unitarity Triangle and CP-violation

The area of the unitarity triangle is a measure of CP-violation. We introduce the leptonic unitarity triangles and study their properties. We consider the possibility of reconstructing the unitarity triangle in future oscillation and non-oscillation experiments. A set of measurements is suggested which will, in principle, allow us to measure all sides of the triangle, and consequently to establish CP-violation. For different values of the CP-violating phase, {delta}{sub D}, the required accuracy of measurements is estimated. The key elements of the method include determination of |U{sub e3}| and studies of the {nu}{sub {mu}} - {nu}{sub {mu}} survival probability in oscillations driven by the solar mass splitting {Delta}m{sub sun}{sup 2}. We suggest additional astrophysical measurements which may help to reconstruct the triangle. The method of the unitarity triangle is complementary to the direct measurements of CP-asymmetry. It requires mainly studies of the survival probabilities and processes where oscillations are averaged or the coherence of the state is lost.

Neutrino mass spectrum and future beta decay experiments

Abstract We study the discovery potential of future beta decay experiments on searches for the neutrino mass in the sub-eV range, and, in particular, KATRIN experiment with sensitivity m >0.3 eV. Effects of neutrino mass and mixing on the beta decay spectrum in the neutrino schemes which explain the solar and atmospheric neutrino data are discussed. The schemes which lead to observable effects contain one or two sets of quasi-degenerate states. Future beta decay measurements will allow to check the three-neutrino scheme with mass degeneracy, moreover, the possibility appears to measure the CP-violating Majorana phase. Effects in the four-neutrino schemes which can also explain the LSND data are strongly restricted by the results of Bugey and CHOOZ oscillation experiments: apart from bending of the spectrum and the shift of the end point one expects appearance of small kink of (

Is it possible to explain neutrino masses with scalar dark matter

We present a scenario in which a remarkably simple relation linking dark matter properties and neutrino masses naturally emerges. This framework points towards a low energy theory where the neutrino mass originates from the existence of a light scalar dark matter particle in the MeV mass range. A very surprising aspect of this scenario is that the required MeV dark matter is one of the favoured candidates to explain the mysterious emission of 511 keV photons in the centre of our galaxy. A possible interpretation of these findings is that dark matter is the stepping stone of a theory beyond the standard model instead of being an embarrassing relic whose energy density must be accounted for in any successful model building.

Dirac neutrino mass generation from dark matter

In 2006, a simple extension of the Standard Model was proposed in which neutrinos obtain radiative Majorana masses at one-loop level from their couplings with dark matter, hence the term “scotogenic,” from the Greek “scotos” meaning darkness. Here an analogous mechanism for Dirac neutrino masses is discussed in a minimal model. In different ranges of the parameter space, various candidates for dark matter are possible. In particular, the lightest Dirac fermion which appears in the loop diagram generating neutrino mass can be a viable dark matter candidate. Such a possibility does not exist for the Majorana case. Realistic neutrino mixing in the context of A4 is discussed. A possible supersymmetric extension is also briefly discussed.

A model for large non-standard interactions of neutrinos leading to the LMA-Dark solution

Abstract It is well-known that in addition to the standard LMA solution to solar anomaly, there is another solution called LMA-Dark which requires Non-Standard Interactions (NSI) with effective couplings as large as the Fermi coupling. Although this solution satisfies all the bounds from various neutrino oscillation observations and even provides a better fit to low energy solar neutrino spectrum, it is not as popular as the LMA solution mainly because no model compatible with the existing bounds has been so far constructed to give rise to this solution. We introduce a model that provides a foundation for such large NSI with strength and flavor structure required for the LMA-Dark solution. This model is based on a new U ( 1 ) ′ gauge interaction with a gauge boson of mass ∼ 10 MeV under which quarks as well as the second and third generations of leptons are charged. We show that observable effects can appear in the spectrum of supernova and high energy cosmic neutrinos. Our model predicts a new contribution to the muon magnetic dipole moment and new rare meson decay modes.

VDM: a model for vector dark matter

We construct a model based on a new U(1)X gauge symmetry and a discrete Z2 symmetry under which the new gauge boson is odd. The model contains new complex scalars which carry U(1)X charge but are singlets of the Standard Model. The U(1)X symmetry is spontaneously broken but the Z2 symmetry is maintained, making the new gauge boson a dark matter candidate. In the minimal version there is only one complex scalar field but by extending the number of scalars to two, the model will enjoy rich phenomenology which comes in various phases. In one phase, CP is spontaneously broken. In the other phase, an accidental Z2 symmetry appears which makes one of the scalars stable and therefore a dark matter candidate along with the vector boson. We discuss the discovery potential of the model by colliders as well as the direct dark matter searches.

Minimal model linking two great mysteries: Neutrino mass and dark matter

We present an economic model that establishes a link between neutrino masses and properties of the dark matter candidate. The particle content of the model can be divided into two groups: light particles with masses lighter than the electroweak scale and heavy particles. The light particles, which also include the dark matter candidate, are predicted to show up in the low energy experiments such as (K{yields}l+missing energy), making the model testable. The heavy sector can show up at the LHC and may give rise to Br(l{sub i}{yields}l{sub j}{gamma}) close to the present bounds. In principle, the new couplings of the model can independently be derived from the data from the LHC and from the information on neutrino masses and lepton flavor violating rare decays, providing the possibility of an intensive cross-check of the model.

Leptonic CP violation: zero, maximal or between the two extremes

Discovery of the CP-violation in the lepton sector is one of the challenges of the particle physics. We search for possible principles, symmetries and phenomenological relations that can lead to particular values of the CP-violating Dirac phase, δ. In this connection we discuss two extreme cases: the zero phase, δ = 0, and the maximal CP-violation, δ = ±π/2, and relate them to the peculiar pattern of the neutrino mixing. The maximal CP-violation can be related to the νμ−ντ reflection symmetry. We study various aspects of this symmetry and introduce a generalized reflection symmetry that can lead to an arbitrary phase that depends on the parameter of the symmetry transformation. The generalized reflection symmetry predicts a simple relation between the Dirac and Majorana phases. We also consider the possibility of certain relations between the CP-violating phases in the quark and lepton sectors.

An Analysis of Cosmic Neutrinos: Flavor Composition at Source and Neutrino Mixing Parameters

Abstract We examine the feasibility of deriving neutrino mixing parameters δ and θ 13 from the cosmic neutrino flavor composition under the assumption that the flavor ratios of the cosmic neutrinos at the source were F ν e + F ν ¯ e : F ν μ + F ν ¯ μ : F ν τ + F ν ¯ τ = 1 : 2 : 0 . We analyze various uncertainties that enter the derivation of δ and θ 13 from the ratio of the shower-like to μ-tracks events which is the only realistic source of information on the flavor composition at neutrino telescopes such as ICECUBE. We then examine to what extent the deviation of the initial flavor ratio from 1 : 2 : 0 can be tested by measurement of this ratio at neutrino telescopes taking into account various sources of uncertainty.