Loop bounds on non-standard neutrino interactions

We reconsider the bounds on non-standard neutrino interactions with matter which can be derived by constraining the four-charged-lepton operators induced at the loop level. We find that these bounds are model dependent. Naturalness arguments can lead to much stronger constraints than those presented in previous studies, while no completely model-independent bounds can be derived. We will illustrate how large loop-contributions to four-charged-lepton operators are induced within a particular model that realizes gauge invariant non-standard interactions and discuss conditions to avoid these bounds. These considerations mainly affect the $\mathcal O(10^{-4})$ constraint on the non-standard coupling strength \eps_{e\mu}, which is lost. The only model-independent constraints that can be derived are $\mathcal O(10^{-1})$. However, significant cancellations are required in order to saturate this bound.Comment: Minor changes, version to be published in JHEP. 17 pages, 3 Axodraw figures, REVTeX

Leptogenesis and neutrino parameters

We calculate the baryonic asymmetry of the universe in the baryogenesis-via-leptogenesis framework, assuming first a quark-lepton symmetry and then a charged-neutral lepton symmetry. We match the results with the experimentally favoured range. In the first case all the oscillation solutions to the solar neutrino problem, except the large mixing matter solution, can lead to the allowed range, but with fine tuning of the parameters. In the second case the general result is quite similar. Some related theoretical hints are discussed.Comment: RevTex, 21 pages with 8 figure

Model for fermion mass matrices and the origin of quark-lepton symmetry

Several phenomenological features of fermion masses and mixings can be accounted for by a simple model for fermion mass matrices, which suggests an underlying U(2) horizontal symmetry. In this context, it is also proposed how an approximate quark-lepton symmetry can be achieved without unified gauge theories.Comment: 12 pages, RevTex. Minor changes, some references adde

Unitarity Constraints for New Physics Induced by dim-6 Operators

We compute the helicity amplitudes for boson-boson scattering at high energy due to the operators \O_{B\Phi}, \O_{W\Phi} and \O_{UB}, and we derive the corresponding unitarity bounds. Thus, we provide relations between the couplings of these operators and the corresponding New Physics thresholds, where either unitarity is saturated or new degrees of freedom are excited. We compare the results with those previously obtained for the operators \O_W and \O_{UW} and we discuss their implications for direct and indirect tests at present and future colliders. The present treatment completes the study of the unitarity constraints for all blind bosonic operators.Comment: 41 pages, latex file. PM 94-28 THES-TP 94-0

Discriminating Z' from anomalous trilinear gauge coupling signatures in e+e- \to W+W- at ILC with polarized beams

New heavy neutral gauge bosons Z' are predicted by many models of physics beyond the Standard Model. It is quite possible that Z's are heavy enough to lie beyond the discovery reach of the CERN Large Hadron Collider LHC, in which case only indirect signatures of Z' exchanges may emerge at future colliders, through deviations of the measured cross sections from the Standard Model predictions. We discuss in this context the foreseeable sensitivity to Z's of W^\pm-pair production cross sections at the e^+e^- International Linear Collider (ILC), especially as regards the potential of distinguishing observable effects of the Z' from analogous ones due to competitor models with anomalous trilinear gauge couplings (AGC) that can lead to the same or similar new physics experimental signatures at the ILC. The sensitivity of the ILC for probing the Z-Z' mixing and its capability to distinguish these two new physics scenarios is substantially enhanced when the polarization of the initial beams and the produced W^\pm bosons are considered. A model independent analysis of the Z' effects in the process e^+e^- \to W^+W^- allows to differentiate the full class of vector Z' models from those with anomalous trilinear gauge couplings, with one notable exception: the sequential SM (SSM)-like models can in this process not be distinguished from anomalous gauge couplings. Results of model dependent analysis of a specific Z' are expressed in terms of discovery and identification reaches on the Z-Z' mixing angle and the Z' mass.Comment: 33 pages; v2: version to appear in EPJ

Seesaw mechanism, baryon asymmetry and neutrinoless double beta decay

A simplified but very instructive analysis of the seesaw mechanism is here performed. Assuming a nearly diagonal Dirac neutrino mass matrix, we study the forms of the Majorana mass matrix of right-handed neutrinos, which reproduce the effective mass matrix of left-handed neutrinos. As a further step, the important effect of a non diagonal Dirac neutrino mass matrix is explored. The corresponding implications for the baryogenesis via leptogenesis and for the neutrinoless double beta decay are reviewed. We propose two distinct models where the baryon asymmetry is enhanced.Comment: 21 pages, RevTex. Revise

Planck scale effects in neutrino physics

We study the phenomenology and cosmology of the Majoron (flavon) models of three active and one inert neutrino paying special attention to the possible (almost) conserved generalization of the Zeldovich-Konopinski-Mahmoud lepton charge. Using Planck scale physics effects which provide the breaking of the lepton charge, we show how in this picture one can incorporate the solutions to some of the central issues in neutrino physics such as the solar and atmospheric neutrino puzzles, dark matter and a 17 keV neutrino. These gravitational effects induce tiny Majorana mass terms for neutrinos and considerable masses for flavons. The cosmological demand for the sufficiently fast decay of flavons implies a lower limit on the electron neutrino mass in the range of 0.1-1 eV.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figure (not included but available upon request), LaTex, IC/92/196, SISSA-140/92/EP, LMU-09/9

Lorentz and CPT Violation in Neutrinos

A general formalism is presented for violations of Lorentz and CPT symmetry in the neutrino sector. The effective hamiltonian for neutrino propagation in the presence of Lorentz and CPT violation is derived, and its properties are studied. Possible definitive signals in existing and future neutrino-oscillation experiments are discussed. Among the predictions are direction-dependent effects, including neutrino-antineutrino mixing, sidereal and annual variations, and compass asymmetries. Other consequences of Lorentz and CPT violation involve unconventional energy dependences in oscillation lengths and mixing angles. A variety of simple models both with and without neutrino masses are developed to illustrate key physical effects. The attainable sensitivities to coefficients for Lorentz violation in the Standard-Model Extension are estimated for various types of experiments. Many experiments have potential sensitivity to Planck-suppressed effects, comparable to the best tests in other sectors. The lack of existing experimental constraints, the wide range of available coefficient space, and the variety of novel effects imply that some or perhaps even all of the existing data on neutrino oscillations might be due to Lorentz and CPT violation.Comment: 25 pages REVTe

Limits on anomalous trilinear gauge boson couplings from WW, WZ and Wgamma production in pp-bar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV

We present final searches of the anomalous gammaWW and ZWW trilinear gauge boson couplings from WW and WZ production using lepton plus dijet final states and a combination with results from Wgamma, WW, and WZ production with leptonic final states. The analyzed data correspond to up to 8.6/fb of integrated luminosity collected by the D0 detector in pp-bar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. We set the most stringent limits at a hadron collider to date assuming two different relations between the anomalous coupling parameters Delta\kappa_\gamma, lambda, and Delta g_1^Z for a cutoff energy scale Lambda=2 TeV. The combined 68% C.L. limits are -0.057<Delta\kappa_\gamma<0.154, -0.015<lambda<0.028, and -0.008<Delta g_1^Z<0.054 for the LEP parameterization, and -0.007<Delta\kappa<0.081 and -0.017<lambda<0.028 for the equal couplings parameterization. We also present the most stringent limits of the W boson magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PL

Search for charginos in e+e- interactions at sqrt(s) = 189 GeV

An update of the searches for charginos and gravitinos is presented, based on a data sample corresponding to the 158 pb^{-1} recorded by the DELPHI detector in 1998, at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV. No evidence for a signal was found. The lower mass limits are 4-5 GeV/c^2 higher than those obtained at a centre-of-mass energy of 183 GeV. The (\mu,M_2) MSSM domain excluded by combining the chargino searches with neutralino searches at the Z resonance implies a limit on the mass of the lightest neutralino which, for a heavy sneutrino, is constrained to be above 31.0 GeV/c^2 for tan(beta) \geq 1.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure