Abstract: We study the constraints imposed by neutrino oscillation experiments on the minimal extensions of the Standard Model (SM) with n(R) gauge singlet fermions (“right-handed neutrinos”), that can account for neutrino masses. We consider the most general coupling of the new fields to the SM fields, in particular those that break lepton number and we do not assume any a priori hierarchy in the mass parameters. We proceed to analyze these models starting from the lowest level of complexity, defined by the number of extra fermionic degrees of freedom. The simplest choice that has enough free parameters in principle (i.e. two mass differences and two angles) to explain the confirmed solar and atmospheric oscillations corresponds to n(R) = 1. This minimal choice is shown to be excluded by data. The next-to-minimal choice corresponds to n(R) = 2. We perform a systematic study of the full parameter space in the limit of degenerate Majorana masses by requiring that at least two neutrino mass differences correspond to those established by solar and atmospheric oscillations. We identify several types of spectra that can fit long-baseline reactor and accelerator neutrino oscillation data, but fail in explaining solar and/or atmospheric data. The only two solutions that survive are the expected seesaw and quasi-Dirac regions, for which we set lower and upper bounds respectively on the Majorana mass scale. Solar data from neutral current measurements provide essential information to constrain the quasi-Dirac region. The possibility to accommodate the LSND/MiniBoone and reactor anomalies, and the implications for neutrinoless double-beta decay and tritium beta decay are briefly discussed.

Abstract: We perform a systematic study of generic accidental Higgs-family and CP symmetries that could occur in the two-Higgs-doublet-model potential, based on a Majorana scalar-field formalism which realizes a subgroup of GL(8, C). We derive the general conditions of convexity and stability of the scalar potential and present analytical solutions for two non-zero neutral vacuum expectation values of the Higgs doublets for a typical set of six symmetries, in terms of the gauge-invariant parameters of the theory. By means of a homotopy-group analysis, we identify the topological defects associated with the spontaneous symmetry breaking of each symmetry, as well as the massless Goldstone bosons emerging from the breaking of the continuous symmetries. We find the existence of domain walls from the breaking of Z(2), CP1 and CP2 discrete symmetries, vortices in models with broken U(1)(PQ) and CP3 symmetries and a global monopole in the SO(3)(HF)-broken model. The spatial profile of the topological defect solutions is studied in detail, as functions of the potential parameters of the two-Higgs doublet model. The application of our Majorana scalar-field formalism in studying more general scalar potentials that are not constrained by the U(1)(Y) hypercharge symmetry is discussed. In particular, the same formalism may be used to properly identify seven additional symmetries that may take place in a U(1)(Y)-invariant scalar potential.

Abstract: The top-quark FCNC processes will be searched for at the CERN LHC, which are correlated with the B-meson decays. In this paper, we study the e ff ects of top-quark anomalous interactions tq gamma in the exclusive radiative B --> K*gamma and B --> rho gamma decays. With the current experimental data of the branching ratios, the direct CP and the isospin asymmetries, bounds on the coupling kappa(gamma)(tcR) from B --> K*gamma and kappa(gamma)(tuR) from B --> rho gamma decays are derived, respectively. The bound on vertical bar kappa(gamma)(tcR)vertical bar from B (B --> K*gamma) is generally compatible with that from B (B --> X(s)gamma). However, the isospin asymmetry Delta (K*gamma) further restrict the phase of kappa(gamma)(tuR), and the combined bound results in the upper limit, B (t --> c gamma) < 0 : 21%, which is lower than the CDF result. For real kappa(gamma)(tuR), the upper bound on B (t --> c gamma) is about of the same order as the 5 sigma discovery potential of ATLAS with an integrated luminosity of 10 fb(-1). For B --> rho gamma decays, the NP contribution is enhanced by a large CKM factor vertical bar V(ud)/V(td)vertical bar, and the constraint on tu gamma coupling is rather restrictive, B (t --> u gamma) < 1 : 44 x 10(-5). With re fi ned measurements to be available at the LHCb and the future super-B factories, we can get close correlations between B --> V gamma and the rare t --> q gamma decays, which will be studied directly at the LHC ATLAS and CMS.