On predictions from spontaneously broken flavor symmetries

We discuss the predictive power of supersymmetric models with flavor symmetries, focusing on the lepton sector of the standard model. In particular, we comment on schemes in which, after certain `flavons' acquire their vacuum expectation values (VEVs), the charged lepton Yukawa couplings and the neutrino mass matrix appear to have certain residual symmetries. In most analyses, only corrections to the holomorphic superpotential from higher-dimensional operators are considered (for instance, in order to generate a realistic $\theta_{13}$ mixing angle). In general, however, the flavon VEVs also modify the K\"ahler potential and, therefore, the model predictions. We show that these corrections to the naive results can be sizable. Furthermore, we present simple analytic formulae that allow us to understand the impact of these corrections on the predictions for the masses and mixing parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures; improved version matching PLB articl

Predictivity of models with spontaneously broken non-Abelian discrete flavor symmetries

In a class of supersymmetric flavor models predictions are based on residual symmetries of some subsectors of the theory such as those of the charged leptons and neutrinos. However, the vacuum expectation values of the so-called flavon fields generally modify the K\"ahler potential of the setting, thus changing the predictions. We derive simple analytic formulae that allow us to understand the impact of these corrections on the predictions for the masses and mixing parameters. Furthermore, we discuss the effects on the vacuum alignment and on flavor changing neutral currents. Our results can also be applied to non--supersymmetric flavor models.Comment: 34 pages, 4 figures, related Mathematica package can be found at http://einrichtungen.ph.tum.de/T30e/codes/KaehlerCorrections/, updated version with added reference, matching NPB articl

A solid state light-matter interface at the single photon level

Coherent and reversible mapping of quantum information between light and matter is an important experimental challenge in quantum information science. In particular, it is a decisive milestone for the implementation of quantum networks and quantum repeaters. So far, quantum interfaces between light and atoms have been demonstrated with atomic gases, and with single trapped atoms in cavities. Here we demonstrate the coherent and reversible mapping of a light field with less than one photon per pulse onto an ensemble of 10 millions atoms naturally trapped in a solid. This is achieved by coherently absorbing the light field in a suitably prepared solid state atomic medium. The state of the light is mapped onto collective atomic excitations on an optical transition and stored for a pre-programmed time up of to 1 mu s before being released in a well defined spatio-temporal mode as a result of a collective interference. The coherence of the process is verified by performing an interference experiment with two stored weak pulses with a variable phase relation. Visibilities of more than 95% are obtained, which demonstrates the high coherence of the mapping process at the single photon level. In addition, we show experimentally that our interface allows one to store and retrieve light fields in multiple temporal modes. Our results represent the first observation of collective enhancement at the single photon level in a solid and open the way to multimode solid state quantum memories as a promising alternative to atomic gases.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, version submitted on June 27 200

Towards high-speed optical quantum memories

Quantum memories, capable of controllably storing and releasing a photon, are a crucial component for quantum computers and quantum communications. So far, quantum memories have operated with bandwidths that limit data rates to MHz. Here we report the coherent storage and retrieval of sub-nanosecond low intensity light pulses with spectral bandwidths exceeding 1 GHz in cesium vapor. The novel memory interaction takes place via a far off-resonant two-photon transition in which the memory bandwidth is dynamically generated by a strong control field. This allows for an increase in data rates by a factor of almost 1000 compared to existing quantum memories. The memory works with a total efficiency of 15% and its coherence is demonstrated by directly interfering the stored and retrieved pulses. Coherence times in hot atomic vapors are on the order of microsecond - the expected storage time limit for this memory.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

The mu term and neutrino masses

The well-known Giudice-Masiero mechanism explains the presence of a mu term of the order of the gravitino mass, but does not explain why the holomorphic mass term is absent in the superpotential. We discuss anomaly-free discrete symmetries which are both compatible with SU(5) unification of matter and the Giudice-Masiero mechanism, i.e. forbid the mu term in the superpotential while allowing the necessary Kaehler potential term. We find that these are Z_M^R symmetries with the following properties: (i) M is a multiple of four; (ii) the Higgs bilinear H_u H_d transforms trivially; (iii) the superspace coordinate theta has charge M/4 and, accordingly, the superpotential has charge M/2; (iv) dimension five proton decay operators are automatically absent. All Z_M^R symmetries are anomaly-free due to a non-trivial transformation of a Green-Schwarz axion, and, as a consequence, a holomorphic mu term appears at the non-perturbative level. There is a unique symmetry that is consistent with the Weinberg operator while there is a class of Z_M^R symmetries which explain suppressed Dirac neutrino masses.Comment: 24 page