Connection between νn→ν¯n¯ reactions and n−n¯ oscillations via additional Higgs triplet bosons

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the connection and compatibility between $\ensuremath{\nu}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\overline{n}$ reactions and $n\text{\ensuremath{-}}\overline{n}$ oscillations based on the $SU(3{)}_{c}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)$ symmetry model with additional Higgs triplets. We explore the possibility that the scattering process $\ensuremath{\nu}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\overline{n}$ produced by low-energy solar neutrinos gives rise to an unavoidable background in the measurements of $n\text{\ensuremath{-}}\overline{n}$ oscillations. We focus on two different scenarios, depending on whether the ($B\ensuremath{-}L$) symmetry could be broken. We analyze the interplay of the various constraints on the two processes and their observable consequences. In the scenario where both ($B+L$) and ($B\ensuremath{-}L$) could be broken, we point out that if all the requirements, mainly arising from the type-II seesaw mechanism, are satisfied, the parameter space would be severely constrained. In this case, although the masses of the Higgs triplet bosons could be within the reach of a direct detection at the LHC or future high-energy experiments, the predicted $n\text{\ensuremath{-}}\overline{n}$ oscillation times would be completely beyond the detectable regions of the present experiments. In both scenarios, the present experiments are unable to distinguish a $\ensuremath{\nu}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\overline{n}$ reaction event from an $n\text{\ensuremath{-}}\overline{n}$ oscillation event within the accessible energy range. Nevertheless, if any of the two processes is detected, there could be signal associated with new physics beyond the Standard Model.