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Beltran, R., Cepedello, R., & Hirsch, M. (2023). Tree-level UV completions for NRSMEFT d=6 and d=7 operators. J. High Energy Phys., 08(8), 31pp.
Abstract: We study ultra-violet completions for operators in standard model effective field theory extended with right-handed neutrinos (NRSMEFT). Using a diagrammatic method, we generate systematically lists of possible tree-level completions involving scalars, fermions or vectors for all operators at d = 6 and d = 7, which contain at least one right-handed neutrino. We compare our lists of possible UV models to the ones found for pure SMEFT. We also discuss how the observation of LNV processes via NRSMEFT operators at the LHC can be related to Majorana neutrino masses of the standard model neutrinos.
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Beltran-Palau, P., Ferreiro, A., Navarro-Salas, J., & Pla, S. (2019). Breaking of adiabatic invariance in the creation of particles by electromagnetic backgrounds. Phys. Rev. D, 100(8), 085014–12pp.
Abstract: Particles are spontaneously created from the vacuum by time-varying gravitational or electromagnetic backgrounds. It has been proven that the particle number operator in an expanding universe is an adiabatic invariant. In this paper we show that, in some special cases, the expected adiabatic invariance of the particle number fails in presence of electromagnetic backgrounds. In order to do this, we consider as a prototype a Sauter-type electric pulse. Furthermore, we also show a close relation between the breaking of the adiabatic invariance and the emergence of the axial anomaly.
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Beltran-Palau, P., del Rio, A., Nadal-Gisbert, S., & Navarro-Salas, J. (2021). Note on the pragmatic mode-sum regularization method: Translational-splitting in a cosmological background. Phys. Rev. D, 103(10), 105002–9pp.
Abstract: The point-splitting renormalization method offers a prescription to calculate finite expectation values of quadratic operators constructed from quantum fields in a general curved spacetime. It has been recently shown by Levi and Ori that when the background metric possesses an isometry, like stationary or spherically symmetric black holes, the method can be upgraded into a pragmatic procedure of renormalization that produces efficient numerical calculations. In this paper we show that when the background enjoys three-dimensional spatial symmetries, like homogeneous expanding universes, the above pragmatic regularization technique reduces to the well-established adiabatic regularization method.
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Beltran-Palau, P., Navarro-Salas, J., & Pla, S. (2019). Translational anomaly of chiral fermions in two dimensions. Phys. Rev. D, 99(10), 105008–5pp.
Abstract: It is well known that a quantized two-dimensional Weyl fermion coupled to gravity spoils general covariance and breaks the covariant conservation of the energy-momentum tensor. In this brief article, we point out that the quantum conservation of the momentum can also fail in flat spacetime, provided the Weyl fermion is coupled to a time-varying homogeneous electric field. This signals a quantum anomaly of the space-translation symmetry, which has not been highlighted in the literature so far.
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Beltran-Palau, P., Navarro-Salas, J., & Pla, S. (2020). Adiabatic regularization for Dirac fields in time-varying electric backgrounds. Phys. Rev. D, 101(10), 105014–15pp.
Abstract: The adiabatic regularization method was originally proposed by Parker and Fulling to renormalize the energy-momentum tensor of scalar fields in expanding universes. It can be extended to renormalize the electric current induced by quantized scalar fields in a time-varying electric background. This can be done in a way consistent with gravity if the vector potential is considered as a variable of adiabatic order one. Assuming this, we further extend the method to deal with Dirac fields in four space-time dimensions. This requires a self-consistent ansatz for the adiabatic expansion, in presence of a prescribed time-dependent electric field, which is different from the conventional expansion used for scalar fields. Our proposal is consistent, in the massless limit, with the conformal anomaly. We also provide evidence that our proposed adiabatic expansion for the fermionic modes parallels the Schwinger-DeWitt adiabatic expansion of the two-point function. We give the renormalized expression of the electric current and analyze, using numerical and analytical tools, the pair production induced by a Sauter-type electric pulse. We also analyze the scaling properties of the current for a large field strength.
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Beltran-Palau, P., del Rio, A., & Navarro-Salas, J. (2023). Quantum corrections to the Schwarzschild metric from vacuum polarization. Phys. Rev. D, 107(8), 085023–15pp.
Abstract: We explore static and spherically symmetric solutions of the 4-dimensional semiclassical Einstein's equations using the quantum vacuum polarization of a conformal field as a source. These solutions may be of interest for the study of exotic compact objects (ECOs). The full backreaction problem is addressed by solving the semiclassical Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equations making use of effective equations of state inspired by the trace anomaly and an extra simplifying and reasonable assumption. We combine analytical and numerical techniques to solve the resulting differential equations, both perturbatively and nonperturbatively in h. In all cases the solution is similar to the Schwarzschild metric up p ffiffito the vicinity of the classical horizon r = 2M. However, at r = 2M + epsilon, with epsilon similar to O(root h), we find a coordinate singularity. In the case of matching with a static star, this leads to an upper bound in the compactness, and sets a constraint on the family of stable ECOs. We also study the corrections that the quantum-vacuum polarization induces on the propagation of waves, and discuss the implications. For the pure vacuum case, we can further extend the solution by using appropriate coordinates until we reach another singular point, where this time a null curvature singularity arises and prevents extending beyond. This picture qualitatively agrees with the results obtained in the effective two-dimensional approach, and reinforces the latter as a reasonable method.
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Benisty, D., Olmo, G. J., & Rubiera-Garcia, D. (2021). Singularity-Free and Cosmologically Viable Born-Infeld Gravity with Scalar Matter. Symmetry-Basel, 13(11), 2108–24pp.
Abstract: The early cosmology, driven by a single scalar field, both massless and massive, in the context of Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity, is explored. We show the existence of nonsingular solutions of bouncing and loitering type (depending on the sign of the gravitational theory's parameter, epsilon) replacing the Big Bang singularity, and discuss their properties. In addition, in the massive case, we find some new features of the cosmological evolution depending on the value of the mass parameter, including asymmetries in the expansion/contraction phases, or a continuous transition between a contracting phase to an expanding one via an intermediate loitering phase. We also provide a combined analysis of cosmic chronometers, standard candles, BAO, and CMB data to constrain the model, finding that for roughly |epsilon|& LSIM;5 & BULL;10-8m2 the model is compatible with the latest observations while successfully removing the Big Bang singularity. This bound is several orders of magnitude stronger than the most stringent constraints currently available in the literature.
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IDS Collaboration(Benito, J. et al), & Nacher, E. (2024). Detailed structure of 131Sn populated in the β decay of isomerically purified 131In states. Phys. Rev. C, 110(1), 014328–19pp.
Abstract: The excited structure of the single-hole nucleus 131 Sn populated by the beta – decay of 131 In was investigated in detail at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. This new experiment took advantage of isomeric purification capabilities provided by resonant ionization, making it possible to independently study the decay of each isomer for the first time. The position of the first-excited nu h 11 / 2 neutron-hole state was confirmed via an independent mass spectroscopy experiment performed at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility at the University of Jyv & auml;skyl & auml;. The level scheme of 131 Sn was notably expanded with the addition of 31 new gamma-ray transitions and 22 new excited levels. The gamma-emitting excited levels above the neutron separation energy in 131 Sn were investigated, revealing a large number of states, which in some cases decay by transitions to other neutron-unbound states. Our analysis showed the dependence between the population of these states in 131 Sn and the beta-decaying 131 In state feeding them. Profiting from the isomer selectivity, it was possible to estimate the direct beta feeding to the 3/2+ / 2 + ground and 11/2- / 2 – isomeric states, disentangling the contributions from the three indium parent states. This made possible to resolve the discrepancies in log ft for first-forbidden transitions observed in previous studies, and to determine the beta-delayed neutron decay probability (Pn) P n ) values of each indium isomers independently. The first measurement of subnanosecond lifetimes in 131 Sn was performed in this work. A short T 1 / 2 = 18(4)-ps value was measured for the 1/2+ / 2 + neutron single-hole 332-keV state, which indicates an enhanced l-forbidden M 1 behavior for the nu 3 s – 1 1/2 / 2 -> nu 3 d – 13 / 2 transition. The measured half-lives of high-energy states populated in the beta decay of the (21/2+) / 2 + ) second isomeric state ( 131 m 2 In) provided valuable information on transition rates, supporting the interpretation of these levels as core-excited states analogous to those observed in the doubly-magic 132 Sn.
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IDS Collaboration(Benito, J. et al), & Nacher, E. (2020). Detailed spectroscopy of doubly magic Sn-132. Phys. Rev. C, 102(1), 014328–18pp.
Abstract: The structure of the doubly magic Sn-132(50)82 has been investigated at the ISOLDE facility at CERN, populated both by the beta(-) decay of In-132 and beta(-)-delayed neutron emission of In-133. The level scheme of Sn-13(2) is greatly expanded with the addition of 68 gamma transitions and 17 levels observed for the first time in the beta decay. The information on the excited structure is completed by new gamma transitions and states populated in the beta-n decay of In-133. Improved delayed neutron emission probabilities are obtained both for In-132 and In-133. Level lifetimes are measured via the advanced time-delayed beta gamma gamma(t) fast-timing method. An interpretation of the level structure is given based on the experimental findings and the particle-hole configurations arising from core excitations both from the N = 82 and Z = 50 shells, leading to positive- and negative-parity particle-hole multiplets. The experimental information provides new data to challenge the theoretical description of Sn-132.
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Beniwal, A., Herrero-Garcia, J., Leerdam, N., White, M., & Williams, A. G. (2021). The ScotoSinglet Model: a scalar singlet extension of the Scotogenic Model. J. High Energy Phys., 06(6), 136–34pp.
Abstract: The Scotogenic Model is one of the most minimal models to account for both neutrino masses and dark matter (DM). In this model, neutrino masses are generated at the one-loop level, and in principle, both the lightest fermion singlet and the lightest neutral component of the scalar doublet can be viable DM candidates. However, the correct DM relic abundance can only be obtained in somewhat small regions of the parameter space, as there are strong constraints stemming from lepton flavour violation, neutrino masses, electroweak precision tests and direct detection. For the case of scalar DM, a sufficiently large lepton-number-violating coupling is required, whereas for fermionic DM, coannihilations are typically necessary. In this work, we study how the new scalar singlet modifies the phenomenology of the Scotogenic Model, particularly in the case of scalar DM. We find that the new singlet modifies both the phenomenology of neutrino masses and scalar DM, and opens up a large portion of the parameter space of the original model.
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