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A New Perspective on Particle Mass

This article examines a model for particle mass using Peccei-Quinn symmetry.

― 7 min read


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Table of Contents

This article discusses a new approach to understanding particle mass in physics, focusing on a model that uses a special symmetry called Peccei-Quinn Symmetry. This model tries to explain how certain particles, specifically Fermions and Scalars, acquire their mass using a system where some parts of the mass equations are set to zero.

What Are Fermions and Scalars?

Fermions are particles like electrons and quarks that make up matter. Scalars are particles that do not have spin, such as the Higgs boson, which is crucial for giving mass to other particles. In our model, we try to explain how certain combinations of fermions and scalars can provide a mechanism for mass generation.

The Peccei-Quinn Symmetry

The Peccei-Quinn symmetry is a concept that helps to tackle a problem in physics known as the strong CP problem, which has to do with the behavior of strong interactions in particles. By using this symmetry, we can assign specific charges to different particles, which will lead to an interesting structure in our mass equations.

Texture-Zeros in Mass Matrices

In this study, we specifically look at something called mass matrices. These matrices are mathematical tools that help us understand the mass relationships among different particles. Texture-zeros refer to a special way of arranging these matrices by deliberately setting certain entries to zero. This simplification may help us find a clearer connection between the masses of particles.

The Role of Higgs Doublets

To make our model work, we need multiple Higgs doublets-these are pairs of Higgs particles. The model requires at least four Higgs doublets to generate the mass equations in a way that fits experimental observations. This is a significant aspect of our approach, as it expands the typical framework in which we operate.

Mass Distribution and Symmetries

When looking at the distribution of mass among particles, we note that there are significant differences in mass between various types of fermions. For instance, the mass of an electron is very different from that of a quark. Our model aims to clarify how these particles can have such varying masses through the use of additional symmetries and the Higgs doublets mentioned earlier.

Lepton and Quark Masses

Leptons are another group of fermions that includes electrons and Neutrinos. In our work, we also examine how mass matrices for leptons relate to those of quarks. By imposing texture-zeros in the equations describing these masses, we seek to explain how the masses and mixing angles (which describe how particles change from one type to another) behave.

Constraints and Predictions

With our setting, we can figure out the possible ranges for various parameters in the model. This helps to identify regions where our theoretical predictions align with observable phenomena in experiments. We explore how the mass ratios of particles and their mixing angles can be obtained while adhering to the constraints laid out by the model.

Neutrino Oscillations

Neutrinos are another class of particles that are essential to our model. They are known for their ability to change types, a phenomenon known as oscillation. Our model aims to account for the mass of neutrinos and to understand the implications of their small mass values compared to other fermions.

Experimental Evidence

The article discusses several experiments that have provided evidence supporting the existence of neutrino oscillations and other related phenomena. These experiments have confirmed the earlier theoretical proposals and have opened up new questions regarding the nature of these particles and their masses.

Implications of the Model

Understanding the mass of particles and their interactions could lead to new physics beyond the Standard Model, which is the current framework used to describe fundamental particles. Our model may suggest new avenues for exploring particle physics at a deeper level, including implications for dark matter and other unexplained aspects of the universe.

Coupling Strengths

In particle physics, the strength of interactions between particles is determined by various coupling constants. Our model provides mechanisms for calculating these strengths in a way consistent with the texture structure of the mass matrices.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, exploring the implications of our model could reveal new aspects of particle behavior not accounted for in current theories. By continuing to refine our understanding of the relationships among particles, we may come closer to answering some of the fundamental questions in physics.

Summary

In summary, this study presents a novel approach to modeling particle masses using a Peccei-Quinn symmetry and texture-zeros in mass matrices. It explores the implications of introducing multiple Higgs doublets and the resulting effects on quark and lepton masses. Through this model, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of the relationships among fundamental particles and their masses, offering new paths for research in particle physics.

Detailed Analysis of Particle Masses

To provide a comprehensive overview, let’s break down the layers of this model further.

The Concept of Mass

Mass is a fundamental property of matter. In the context of elementary particles, it is crucial for understanding how particles interact and form the observable universe. The mass of particles affects everything from the structure of atoms to the behavior of cosmic bodies.

Types of Mass

There are several types of mass in particle physics, including:

  • Rest mass: This is the mass of a particle when it is at rest.
  • Effective mass: This is used in various fields and can vary depending on the environment.

Mass Generation Mechanisms

In the Standard Model of particle physics, mass is primarily generated through the Higgs mechanism. When the Higgs field acquires a value (known as a vacuum expectation value), it interacts with other particles, giving them mass. However, the mass ratios and the hierarchy of masses observed are still puzzling.

The Higgs Mechanism Revisited

The Higgs mechanism is central to our understanding of mass. It proposes that all particles interact with the Higgs field, and the strength of this interaction determines their mass. The discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN confirmed the existence of this field, marking a significant milestone in physics.

New Approaches to Mass Relations

Our model introduces a framework to understand the mass of particles by incorporating additional Higgs doublets and symmetry principles. By using fewer parameters through texture-zeros, we can simplify the mass equations while still maintaining fidelity to experimental data.

Neutrinos in Focus

Neutrinos are particularly interesting due to their small mass and weak interactions. Understanding how neutrinos fit into our model can reveal more about the flavor problem, which addresses why particles have different types and masses.

Exploring Flavor Changing Neutral Currents (FCNC)

In particle physics, FCNC processes refer to transitions between different types of particles without changing their charge. These processes are rare and can provide essential insights into the underlying structure of mass matrices.

Researching Beyond the Standard Model

The conclusions drawn from our model may extend beyond the Standard Model, suggesting the presence of new particles or interactions. Exploring these areas could lead to the discovery of dark matter candidates or other significant phenomena.

Cross-Disciplinary Implications

This model can impact not just particle physics, but also areas like cosmology and astrophysics. Understanding how particles interact at the fundamental level can influence our understanding of the universe as a whole.

Potential for New Discoveries

The model’s predictions could guide future experiments searching for new particles or interactions. Testing the parameters derived from our framework may uncover new physics beyond the established theories.

Conclusion and Call to Action

In conclusion, this article lays the foundation for a model that could reshape our understanding of mass in particle physics. The introduction of Peccei-Quinn symmetry and texture-zeros offers a new angle from which to explore the complexities of particle interactions. Future research can build upon these ideas, paving the way for exciting discoveries.

We invite the scientific community to engage with this model, test its predictions, and explore its implications for the deeper questions in our understanding of the universe.

Original Source

Title: A minimal axion model for mass matrices with five texture-zeros

Abstract: A model with fermion and scalar fields charged under a Peccei-Queen~(PQ) symmetry is proposed. The PQ charges are chosen in such a way that they can reproduce mass matrices with five texture zeros, {which can generate} the fermion masses, the CKM matrix, and the PMNS matrix of the Standard Model~(SM). To obtain this result, at least 4~Higgs doublets are needed. As we will see in the manuscript this is a highly non-trivial result since the texture zeros of the mass matrices impose a large number of restrictions. This model shows a route to understand the different scales of the SM by extending it with a multi-Higgs sector and an additional PQ symmetry. Since the PQ charges are not universal, the model presents flavor-changing neutral currents~(FCNC) at the tree level, a feature that constitutes the main source of restrictions on the parameter space. We report the allowed regions by lepton decays and compare them with those coming from the semileptonic decays $K^{\pm}\longrightarrow \pi \bar{\nu}\nu$. We also show the excluded regions and the projected bounds of future experiments for the axion-photon coupling as a function of the axion mass and compare it with the parameter space of our model.

Authors: Yithsbey Giraldo, R. Martínez, Eduardo Rojas, Juan C. Salazar

Last Update: 2023-04-14 00:00:00

Language: English

Source URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07406

Source PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2304.07406

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Changes: This summary was created with assistance from AI and may have inaccuracies. For accurate information, please refer to the original source documents linked here.

Thank you to arxiv for use of its open access interoperability.

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