Zero minors of the neutrino mass matrix

We examine the possibility that a certain class of neutrino mass matrices, namely those with two independent vanishing minors in the flavor basis, regardless of being invertible or not, is sufficient to describe current data. We compute generic formulae for the ratios of the neutrino masses and for the Majorana phases. We find that seven textures with two vanishing minors can accommodate the experimental data. We present an estimate of the mass matrix for these patterns. All the possible textures can be dynamically generated through the seesaw mechanism augmented with a discrete Abelian symmetry.Comment: latex, 22 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, accepted version to appear in PR

One vanishing minor in the neutrino mass matrix

We study a specific texture of the neutrino mass matrix, namely the models with one $2\times 2$ subdeterminant equal to zero. We carry out a complete phenomenological analysis with all possible relevant correlations. Every pattern of the six possible ones is found able to accommodate the experimental data, with three cases allowing also for non-invertible mass matrices. We present symmetry realizations for all the models.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, 4 table

Textures with two traceless submatrices of the neutrino mass matrix

We propose a new texture for the light neutrino mass matrix. The proposal is based upon imposing zero-trace condition on the two by two sub-matrices of the complex symmetric Majorana mass matrix in the flavor basis where the charged lepton mass matrix is diagonal. Restricting the mass matrix to have two traceless sub-matrices may be found sufficient to describe the current data. Eight out of fifteen independent possible cases are found to be compatible with current data. Numerical and some approximate analytical results are presented.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures and 2 tables, Minor typos are correcte

Neutrino Mixing and Leptogenesis in μ−τ\mu-\tau Symmetry

We study the consequences of the $Z_2$-symmetry behind the $\mu$--$\tau$ universality in neutrino mass matrix. We then implement this symmetry in the type-I seesaw mechanism and show how it can accommodate all sorts of lepton mass hierarchies and generate enough lepton asymmetry to interpret the observed baryon asymmetry in the universe. We also show how a specific form of a high-scale perturbation is kept when translated via the seesaw into the low scale domain, where it can accommodate the neutrino mixing data. We finally present a realization of the high scale perturbed texture through addition of matter and extra exact symmetries.Comment: 29 pages, 1 figure, 3 tables. Complete re-analysis. Version to appear in PR