Dark Matter and Baryogenesis from Non-Abelian Gauged Lepton Number

A simple model is constructed based on the gauge symmetry $SU(3)_c \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y \times SU(2)_\ell$, with only the leptons transforming nontrivially under $SU(2)_\ell$. The extended symmetry is broken down to the Standard Model gauge group at TeV-scale energies. We show that this model provides a mechanism for baryogenesis via leptogenesis in which the lepton number asymmetry is generated by $SU(2)_\ell$ instantons. The theory also contains a dark matter candidate - the $SU(2)_\ell$ partner of the right-handed neutrino.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures; Plenary talk given at the Conference on Cosmology, Gravitational Waves and Particles, Singapore, February 6-10, 2017; based on arXiv:1703.00199 [hep-ph

Dark Side of the Neutron?

We discuss our recently proposed interpretation of the discrepancy between the bottle and beam neutron lifetime experiments as a sign of a dark sector. The difference between the outcomes of the two types of measurements is explained by the existence of a neutron dark decay channel with a branching fraction 1%. Phenomenologically consistent particle physics models for the neutron dark decay can be constructed and they involve a strongly self-interacting dark sector. We elaborate on the theoretical developments around this idea and describe the efforts undertaken to verify it experimentally.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures; Plenary talk presented at the International Workshop on Particle Physics at Neutron Sources 2018, Grenoble, France, May 24-26, 2018; based on: Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 191801 (2018) [arXiv:1801.01124]; see also arXiv:1810.00862; to be published in EPJ Web of Conference

Neutron Lifetime Discrepancy as a Sign of a Dark Sector?

We summarize our recent proposal of explaining the discrepancy between the bottle and beam measurements of the neutron lifetime through the existence of a dark sector, which the neutron can decay to with a branching fraction 1%. We show that viable particle physics models for such neutron dark decays can be constructed and we briefly comment on recent developments in this area.Comment: Talk presented at CIPANP2018. 8 pages, 2 figures; based on: Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 191801 (2018) [arXiv:1801.01124]; v2: references adde

Color octet scalars and high p_T four-jet events at the LHC

We study the effect of color octet scalars on the high transverse momenta four-jet cross section at the LHC. We consider both weak singlet and doublet scalars, concentrating on the case of small couplings to quarks. We find that a relatively early discovery at the LHC is possible for a range of scalar masses

High pT Production of b\bar{b} at LHC and New SU(3) Bosons

We discuss the potential of measurements of \sigma(p p -> b\bar{b}) to constrain new bosonic degrees of freedom at the LHC when pT > \sqrt{s}/11 TeV for a pseudorapidity cut |\eta| < 2.4. By suppressing the NLO QCD production of b\bar{b} pairs through simple kinematic constraints we show how to more efficiently exploit CMS's reach out to 1.5 TeV in pT for B mesons in searches for new physics. Using this technique we investigate the potential for discovery of new massive spin one and spin zero SU_c(3) octet bosons by analyzing their effect on the d\sigma(p p -> b\bar{b})/d pT^2 distribution. In some cases, the tree level contributions are small and the largest effect of new physics on the pT tail of the distribution is due to one-loop resonant s-channel production or interference effects with the LO standard model production mechanisms q\bar{q}, g g -> b\bar{b}. We explore this possibility in some detail when the standard model is extended with an (8,2)_{1/2} scalar motivated by Minimal Flavor Violation.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures; v2: published in JHE

SU(5) Unification without Proton Decay

We construct a four-dimensional SU(5) grand unified theory in which the proton is stable. The Standard Model leptons reside in the 5 and 10 irreps of SU(5), whereas the quarks live in the 40 and 50 irreps. The SU(5) gauge symmetry is broken by the vacuum expectation values of the scalar 24 and 75 irreps. All non-Standard Model fields are heavy. Stability of the proton requires three relations between the parameters of the model to hold. However, abandoning the requirement of absolute proton stability, the model fulfills current experimental constraints without fine-tuning.Comment: 5 pages; v2: accepted by Physical Review Letter

Dark Matter from Unification of Color and Baryon Number

We analyze a recently proposed extension of the Standard Model based on the SU(4) x SU(2)_L x U(1)_X gauge group, in which baryon number is interpreted as the fourth color and dark matter emerges as a neutral partner of the ordinary quarks under SU(4). We show that under well-motivated minimal flavor-violating assumptions the particle spectrum contains a heavy dark matter candidate which is dominantly the partner of the right-handed top quark. Assuming a standard cosmology, the correct thermal relic density through freeze-out is obtained for dark matter masses around 2 - 3 TeV. We examine the constraints and future prospects for direct and indirect searches for dark matter. We also briefly discuss the LHC phenomenology, which is rich in top quark signatures, and investigate the prospects for discovery at a 100 TeV hadron collider.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Baryon Number as the Fourth Color

We propose an extension of the Standard Model in which baryon number is promoted to be part of a non-Abelian gauge symmetry at high energies. Specifically, we consider the gauge group SU(4) x SU(2)_L x U(1)_X, where the SU(4) unifies baryon number and color. This symmetry is spontaneously broken down to the Standard Model gauge group at a scale which can be as low as a few TeV. The SU(4) structure implies that each SM quark comes along with an uncolored quark partner, the lightest of which is stabilized by the generalized baryon number symmetry and can play the role of dark matter. We explore circumstances under which one can realize a model of asymmetric dark matter whose relic abundance is connected to the observed baryon asymmetry, and discuss unique signatures that can be searched for at the LHC.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure