Cosmology and CP Violation

We describe the role of CP violation in the generation of the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, in the framework of baryogenesis through leptogenesis, with emphasis on the possible relationship between CP violation at low energies and that required by leptogenesis. It is emphasized that a direct link between these two manifestations of CP violation only exists in the framework of specific flavour structures for the fundamental leptonic mass matrices.Comment: 11 pages, Invited Talk at Flavor Physics And CP Violation (FPCP 2003) 3-6 Jun 2003, Paris, Franc

CP Violation and New Physics

We describe some of the extensions of the SM, including models with spontaneous CP violation, where New Physics relevant for CP violation may arise. It is emphasized that the SM predicts a series of exact relations among various measurable quantities, such as moduli of CKM matrix elements and rephasing invariant phases. These exact relations provide a stringent test of the SM, with the potential to reveal New Physics.Comment: Invited talk at Workshop on the CKM Unitarity Triangle, IPPP Durham, April 2003. 8 pages, 1 figur

Vacuum Induced CP Violation Generating a Complex CKM Matrix with Controlled Scalar FCNC

We propose a viable minimal model with spontaneous CP violation in the framework of a Two Higgs Doublet Model. The model is based on a generalised Branco-Grimus-Lavoura model with a flavoured $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry, under which two of the quark families are even and the third one is odd. The lagrangian respects CP invariance, but the vacuum has a CP violating phase, which is able to generate a complex CKM matrix, with the rephasing invariant strength of CP violation compatible with experiment. The question of scalar mediated flavour changing neutral couplings is carefully studied. In particular we point out a deep connection between the generation of a complex CKM matrix from a vacuum phase and the appearance of scalar FCNC. The scalar sector is presented in detail, showing that the new scalars are necessarily lighter than 1 TeV. A complete analysis of the model including the most relevant constraints is performed, showing that it is viable and that it has definite implications for the observation of New Physics signals in, for example, flavour changing Higgs decays or the discovery of the new scalars at the LHC. We give special emphasis to processes like $t\to {\rm h} c,{\rm h} u$, as well as ${\rm h}\to bs, bd$, which are relevant for the LHC and the ILC.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figure

CP Violation and Flavour Mixings in Orbifold GUTs

We address the flavour problem by incorporating the hypothesis of universal strength of Yukawa couplings in the framework of a 5D GUT model compactified on an $S^1/(Z_2 \times Z_2^{\prime})$ orbifold. We show that a quantitatively successful picture of fermion masses and mixings emerges from the interplay between the bulk suppression factors of geometric origin and the phases of the Yukawa matrices. We give an explicit example, where we obtain a good fit for both the CKM and PMNS matrices.Comment: 8 pages, no figures; v2: minor changes, published in Phys Rev D (Rapid Communication

Invariant approach to CP in family symmetry models

We propose the use of basis invariants, valid for any choice of CP transformation, as a powerful approach to studying specific models of CP violation in the presence of discrete family symmetries. We illustrate the virtues of this approach for examples based on $A_4$ and $\Delta(27)$ family symmetries. For $A_4$, we show how to elegantly obtain several known results in the literature. In $\Delta(27)$ we use the invariant approach to identify how explicit (rather than spontaneous) CP violation arises, which is geometrical in nature, i.e. persisting for arbitrary couplings in the Lagrangian.Comment: 4 pages plus references. v2: to be published in PR

Invariant approach to CP in unbroken Δ(27)\Delta(27)

The invariant approach is a powerful method for studying CP violation for specific Lagrangians. The method is particularly useful for dealing with discrete family symmetries. We focus on the CP properties of unbroken $\Delta(27)$ invariant Lagrangians with Yukawa-like terms, which proves to be a rich framework, with distinct aspects of CP, making it an ideal group to investigate with the invariant approach. We classify Lagrangians depending on the number of fields transforming as irreducible triplet representations of $\Delta(27)$. For each case, we construct CP-odd weak basis invariants and use them to discuss the respective CP properties. We find that CP violation is sensitive to the number and type of $\Delta(27)$ representations.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figure. v2: to be published in NP

Unitarity Relations in the Presence of Vector-Like Quarks

We study, in a systematic way, the $V_{\text{CKM}}$ unitarity relations which arise in extensions of the three generations Standard Model (3gSM) involving the addition of vector-like quarks (VLQ). In particular, we emphasize the effect of the presence of VLQ on $V_{\text{CKM}}$ moduli differences, as well on the size of the imaginary parts of rephasing invariant $V_{\text{CKM}}$ quartets. We consider the special case where an up-type VLQ is used to attempt at solving the unitarity problem in the first line of $V_{\text{CKM}}$.Comment: 9 page

CP-odd invariants in models with several Higgs doublets

We present CP-odd Higgs-basis invariants, which can be used to signal CP violation in a multi-Higgs system, written in an arbitrary Higgs basis. It is shown through specific examples how these CP-odd invariants can also be useful to determine the character of CP breaking (i.e. whether it is hard or soft CP breaking) in a given Higgs Lagrangian. We analyse in detail the cases of two and three Higgs doublets

Universal Doublet-Singlet Higgs Couplings and phenomenology at the CERN Large Hadron Collider

We consider a minimal extension of the standard model where a real, gauge singlet scalar field is added to the standard spectrum. Introducing the Ansatz of universality of scalar couplings, we are led to a scenario which has a set of very distinctive and testable predictions: (i) the mixing between the standard model Higgs and the new state is near maximal, (ii) the ratio of the two Higgs mass eigenstates is fixed ($\sim \sqrt{3}$), (iii) the decay modes of each of the two eigenstates are standard model like. We also study how electroweak precision tests constrain this scenario. We predict the lighter Higgs to lie in the range of 114 and 145 GeV, and hence the heavier one between 198 and 250 GeV. The predictions of the model can be tested at the upcoming LHC.Comment: 5 pages, no figures; v2: normalisations settled, results unchanged, References added; v3: a new section 'Deviation from universality' added, version to appear in Phys Rev D (Brief Reports section