TeV Brane Research Articles

Dark branes for dark matter

We propose a setup for the origin of dark matter based on spacetime with a warped extra dimension and three branes: the Planck brane, the TeV brane, at a (few) TeV scale ρT, and a dark brane, at a (sub-)GeV scale ρ1≲100 GeV≪ρT. The Standard Model (SM) is localized in the TeV brane, thus solving the Higgs hierarchy problem, while the dark matter χ, a Dirac fermion with mass mχ<ρ1, is localized in the dark brane. The radion, with mass mr<mχ, interacts strongly [∼mχ/ρ1∼O(1)] with dark matter and very weakly (∼mfρ1/ρT2≪1) with the Standard Model matter f. The generic conflict between the bounds on its detection signatures and its proper relic abundance is avoided as dark matter annihilation is p-wave suppressed. The former is determined by its very weak interactions with the SM and the latter by its much stronger annihilation into radions. Therefore, there is a vast range in the dark matter’s parameter space where the correct relic abundance is achieved consistently with the existing bounds. Moreover, for the dark brane with ρ1≲3 GeV, a confinement/deconfinement first order phase transition, where the radion condensates, produces a stochastic gravitational wave background at the nanohertz frequencies, which can be identified with the signal detected by the Pulsar Timing Array (PTA) experiments. In the PTA window, for 0.15≲mχ≲2 GeV the relic abundance is reproduced and all constraints are satisfied. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A nearly Dirichlet Higgs for lower-scale warped extra dimensions

We consider a minimal extension of the Standard Model in warped extra dimensions, with fields propagating in the bulk including a bulk SM-like Higgs doublet. We show that the Higgs can acquire a non-trivial oscillatory VEV, strongly localized towards the TeV brane, but such that its value at that brane could be highly suppressed due to its oscillatory behaviour. Within the minimal Randall-Sundrum metric background, this oscillatory VEV can alleviate the bounds coming from oblique precision electroweak parameters, such that the KK gluon mass can be around 3 TeV (instead of ∼8 TeV for the usual non-oscillatory bulk Higgs). We also discuss the stability of the configuration as well as the naturalness of the model parameters.

A natural model of spontaneous CP violation

We examine the possibility of building a natural non-supersymmetric model of spontaneous CP violation equipped with the Nelson-Barr (NB) mechanism to address the strong CP problem. Our approach is to utilize a doubly composite dynamics where the first confinement of the CFT occurs at the scale of spontaneous CP violation (SCPV) and the second confinement at the TeV scale. A holographic dual description of this 4D set-up via a warped extra dimension with three 3-branes provides an explicit realization of this idea. In this model, radiative corrections to the strong CP phase are well under control, and the coincidence of mass scales, which we generally encounter in NB models, is addressed. Our model also provides an explanation to the quark Yukawa hierarchies, and a solution to the gauge hierarchy problem just as in the usual Randall-Sundrum model with the Higgs being localized on the TeV brane.

High quality axion via a doubly composite dynamics

We explore a new framework that furnishes a mechanism to simultaneously address the electroweak naturalness problem and the axion high quality problem. The framework is based on a doubly composite dynamics where the second confinement takes place after the CFT encounters the first confinement and the theory flows into another conformal fixed point. For a calculable example, we present a holographic dual description of the 4D model via a warped extra dimension model with three 3-branes. While the hierarchy problem is taken cared of by the localization of the Higgs fields on the TeV brane just as in the original Randall-Sundrum model, the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry is realized as a gauge symmetry in the bulk of the extra dimension to solve the axion quality problem. We introduce a 5D scalar field whose potential at the intermediate brane drives spontaneous breaking of the PQ symmetry. Then, the PQ breaking scale is given by the scale of the intermediate brane and is naturally small compared to the Planck scale. The axion bulk profile is significantly suppressed around the UV brane, which protects the axion from gravitational violations of the PQ symmetry on the UV brane. Our model genuinely predicts the existence of the Kaluza-Klein excitations of the QCD axion at around the TeV scale and relatively light extra Higgs bosons.

LHC signals for KK graviton from an extended warped extra dimension

We analyze signals at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from production and decay of Kaluza-Klein (KK) gravitons in the context of “extended” warped extra-dimensional models, where the standard model (SM) Higgs and fermion fields are restricted to be in-between the usual ultraviolet/Planck brane and a ∼ O(10) TeV (new, “intermediate”) brane, whereas the SM gauge fields (and gravity) propagate further down to the ∼ O(TeV) infrared brane. Such a framework suppresses flavor violation stemming from KK particle effects, while keeping the KK gauge bosons and gravitons accessible to the LHC. We find that the signals from KK graviton are significantly different than in the standard warped model. This is because the usually dominant decay modes of KK gravitons into top quark, Higgs and longitudinal W/Z particles are suppressed by the above spatial separation between these two sets of particles, thus other decay channels are allowed to shine themselves. In particular, we focus on two novel decay channels of the KK graviton. The first one is the decay into a pair of radions, each of which decays (dominantly) into a pair of SM gluons, resulting in a resonant 4-jet final state consisting of two pairs of dijet resonance. On the other hand, if the radion is heavier and/or KK gluon is lighter, then the KK graviton mostly decays into a KK gluon and a SM gluon. The resulting KK gluon has a significant decay branching fraction into radion and SM gluon, thereby generating (again) a 4-jet signature, but with a different underlying event topology, i.e., featuring now three different resonances. We demonstrate that the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) has sensitivity to KK graviton of (up to) ∼ 4 TeV in both channels, in the specific model with only gluon field (and gravity) propagating in the extended bulk, whereas it is unlikely to have sensitivity in the standard dijet resonance search channel from KK graviton decay into two gluons.

Gravity-mediated scalar Dark Matter in warped extra-dimensions

We revisit the case of scalar Dark Matter interacting just gravitationally with the Standard Model (SM) particles in an extra-dimensional Randall-Sundrum scenario. We assume that both, the Dark Matter and the Standard Model, are localized in the TeV brane and only interact via gravitational mediators, namely the graviton Kaluza-Klein modes and the radion. We analyze in detail the dark matter annihilation channel into two on-shell KK-gravitons, and contrary to previous studies which overlooked this process, we find that it is possible to obtain the correct relic abundance for dark matter masses in the range [1, 10] TeV even after taking into account the strong bounds from LHC Run II. We also consider the impact of the radion contribution (virtual exchange leading to SM final states as well as on-shell production), which does not significantly change our results. Quite interestingly, a sizeable part of the currently allowed parameter space could be tested by LHC Run III and by the High-Luminosity LHC.

Radion-Higgs mixing in 2HDMs

We study the custodial Randall-Sundrum model with two Higgs doublets localized in the TeV brane. The scalar potential is CP- conserving and has a softly broken Z2 symmetry. In the presence of a curvature-scalar mixing term ξabℛΦa†Φb the radion that stabilizes the extra dimension now mixes with the two CP-even neutral scalars h and H. A goodness of fit of the LHC data on the properties of the light Higgs is performed on the parameter space of the type-I and type-II models. LHC direct searches for heavy scalars in different decay channels can help distinguish between the radion and a heavy Higgs. The most important signatures involve the ratio of heavy scalar decays into b quark pairs to those into Z pairs, as well as the decay of the scalar (pseudoscalar) into a Z plus a pseudoscalar (scalar).

Fermion localization in higher curvature and scalar\u2013tensor theories of gravity

It is well known that, in a braneworld model, the localization of fermions on a lower dimensional submanifold (say a TeV 3-brane) is governed by the gravity in the bulk, which also determines the corresponding phenomenology on the brane. Here we consider a five dimensional warped spacetime where the bulk geometry is governed by higher curvature like F(R) gravity. In such a scenario, we explore the role of higher curvature terms on the localization of bulk fermions which in turn determines the effective radion–fermion coupling on the brane. Our result reveals that, for appropriate choices of the higher curvature parameter, the profiles of the massless chiral modes of the fermions may get localized near the TeV brane, while those for massive Kaluza–Klein (KK) fermions localize towards the Planck brane. We also explore these features in the dual scalar–tensor model by appropriate transformations. The localization property turns out to be identical in the two models. This rules out the possibility of any signature of massive KK fermions in TeV scale collider experiments due to higher curvature gravity effects.

Fermion localization in a backreacted warped spacetime

We consider a five dimensional AdS warped spacetime in presence of a massive scalar field in the bulk. The scalar field potential fulfills the requirement of modulus stabilization even when the effect of backreaction of the stabilizing field is taken into account. In such a scenario, we explore the role of backreaction on the localization of bulk fermions which in turn determines the effective radion-fermion coupling on the brane. Our result reveals that both the chiral modes of the zeroth Kaluza-Klein (KK) fermions get localized near TeV brane as the backreaction of the scalar field increases. We also show that the profile of massive KK fermions shifts towards the Planck brane with increasing backreaction parameter.

Stabilization of the extra dimension size in RS model by bulk Higgs field

An extension of the Standard Model is considered, which is built on the basis of a stabilized Randall-Sundrum model with two branes. The stabilization of the extra dimension size is achieved with the help of a five-dimensional Higgs field, which plays the role of the Goldberger-Wise field. The stabilization makes the radion massive, and all the fermion fields, which are assumed to be localized on the TeV brane, get their masses due to the interaction with the boundary value of the Higgs field. The gauge invariance of the theory demands that the electroweak gauge fields also live in the bulk. The equations of motion for the background field configurations and for the field fluctuations against a background solution are obtained. The interaction of the bulk Higgs field with the multidimensional gauge field is studied and possible values of the model parameters are estimated.

Muon anomalous magnetic moment and penguin loops in warped extra dimensions

We describe the computation of the one-loop muon anomalous magnetic moment and radiative penguin transitions in the minimal and custodially protected Randall–Sundrum model. A fully five-dimensional (5D) framework is employed to match the 5D theory onto the Standard Model extended by dimension-six operators. The additional contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment from the gauge-boson exchange contributions is [Formula: see text] where the first (second) number refers to the minimal (custodially-protected) model. Here 1/T denotes the location of the TeV brane in conformal coordinates, and is related to the mass of the lowest gauge-boson KK excitation by M KK ≈2.35T. We also determine the Higgs-exchange contribution, which depends on the 5D Yukawa structure and the precise interpretation of the localization of the Higgs field near or at the TeV brane.

The muon anomalous magnetic moment in the Randall-Sundrum model

We calculate the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon in the minimal Randall-Sundrum model with standard model fields in five-dimensional (5D) warped space and a brane-localized Higgs. We use a fully 5D framework to compute the one-loop matching coefficients of the effective theory at the electroweak scale. The extra contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment from the model-independent gauge-boson exchange contributions \Delta a_\mu is approximately 8.8*10^-11 (1TeV/T)^2, where 1/T denotes the location of the TeV brane in conformal coordinates, and is related to the mass of the lowest gauge boson KK excitation, which is roughly 2.5T. The result constitutes the first complete determination of the gauge-boson contribution to g-2 and is robust against the variation of the bulk fermion masses and 5D Yukawa coupling. We also determine the strongly model-parameter dependent effect of Higgs-exchange diagrams.

Higgs bosons in warped space, from the bulk to the brane

In the context of warped extra dimensional models with all fields propagating in the bulk, we address the phenomenology of a bulk scalar Higgs boson, and calculate its production cross section at the LHC as well as its tree-level effects on mediating flavor changing neutral currents. We perform the calculations based on two different approaches. First, we compute our predictions analytically by considering all the degrees of freedom emerging from the dimensional reduction [the infinite tower of Kaluza Klein modes (KK)]. In the second approach, we perform our calculations numerically by considering only the effects caused by the first few KK modes, present in the 4-dimensional effective theory. In the case of a Higgs leaking far from the brane, both approaches give the same predictions as the effects of the heavier KK modes decouple. However, as the Higgs boson is pushed toward the TeV brane, the two approaches seem to be equivalent only when one includes heavier and heavier degrees of freedom (which do not seem to decouple). To reconcile these results it is necessary to introduce higher dimension operators which essentially encode the effects of integrating out the heavy KK modes and dress the brane Higgs so that it looks just like a bulk Higgs. However, in the brane Higgs limit, it is not possible to predict if there will be enhancement or suppression in the Higgs production rate since the corrections depend on the phases of higher dimension operators.

Flavor alignment via shining in Randall-Sundrum models

We present a class of warped extra dimensional models whose flavor violating interactions are much suppressed compared to the usual anarchic case due to flavor alignment. Such suppression can be achieved in models where part of the global flavor symmetry is gauged in the bulk and broken in a controlled manner. We show that the bulk masses can be aligned with the down type Yukawa couplings by an appropriate choice of bulk flavon field representations and TeV brane dynamics. This alignment could reduce the flavor violating effects to levels which allow for a Kaluza-Klein scale as low as 2-3 TeV, making the model observable at the LHC. However, the up-type Yukawa couplings on the IR brane, which are bounded from below by recent bounds on CP violation in the D system, induce flavor misalignment radiatively. Off-diagonal down-type Yukawa couplings and kinetic mixings for the down quarks are both consequences of this effect. These radiative Yukawa corrections can be reduced by raising the flavon VEV on the IR brane (at the price of some moderate tuning), or by extending the Higgs sector. The flavor changing effects from the radiatively induced Yukawa mixing terms are at around the current upper experimental bounds. We also show the generic bounds on UV-brane induced flavor violating effects, and comment on possible additional flavor violations from bulk flavor gauge bosons and the bulk Yukawa scalars.

Kaluza–Klein modes of bulk fields in a generalized Randall–Sundrum scenario

We consider a generalised two brane Randall–Sundrum model with non-zero cosmological constant on the visible TeV brane. Massive Kaluza–Klein modes for various bulk fields namely graviton, gauge field and antisymmetric second rank Kalb–Ramond field in a such generalized Randall–Sundrum scenario are determined. The masses for the Kaluza–Klein excitations of different bulk fields are found to depend on the brane cosmological constant indicating interesting consequences in warped brane particle phenomenology.

Lorentz violation effects in asymmetric two brane models: a nonperturbative analysis

We consider the case of bulk photons in a Lorentz violating brane background, with an asymmetric warping between space and time warp factors. A perturbative analysis, in a previous work, gave an energy dependent phase (or group) velocity of light: Vph(ω) = Vph(0)−CGω2 (CG > 0), which was derived up to second order of time independent perturbation theory. In this paper, we go beyond the perturbative result and we study the nonperturbative behavior of the phase velocity for larger energies, by solving numerically an eigenvalue problem for the wave function of the zero mode (4D photon). In particular we see that Vph(ω) is in general a monotonically decreasing function which tends asymptotically to a final value Vph(∞). We compare with the results of perturbation theory and we obtain a very good agreement in the range of small energies. We also present a wave function analysis and we see that in the nonperturbative sector of the theory (very high energies), the zero mode and the massive KK modes tend to decouple from matter localized on the TeV brane.

Warping the universal extra dimensions

We develop the necessary ingredients for the construction of realistic models with warped universal extra dimensions. Our investigations are based on the seven-dimensional (7D) spacetime AdS{sub 5}xT{sup 2}/Z{sub 2} and we derive the Kaluza-Klein (KK) spectra for gravitons, bulk vectors, and the TeV brane localized Higgs boson. We show that, starting with a massive 7D fermion, one may obtain a single chiral massless mode whose profile is readily localized towards the Planck or TeV brane. This allows one to place the standard model fermions in the bulk and construct models of flavor as in Randall-Sundrum models. Our solution also admits the familiar KK parity of models with universal extra dimensions so that the lightest odd KK state is stable and may be a dark matter candidate. As an additional feature the AdS{sub 5} warping ensures that the excited modes on the torus, including the dark matter candidate, appear at TeV energies (as is usually assumed in models with universal extra dimensions) even though the Planck scale sets the dimensions for the torus.

Probing warped extra dimension via [formula omitted] and [formula omitted] at LHC

The processes gg→h and h→γγ are of paramount importance in the context of Higgs search at the LHC. These processes are loop driven and hence could be sensitive to the presence of any new colored fermion states having a large coupling with the Higgs. Such a scenario arises in a warped extra-dimensional theory, where the Higgs is confined to the TeV brane and the hierarchy of fermion masses is addressed by localizing them at different positions in the bulk. We show that the Yukawa coupling of the Higgs with the fermion Kaluza–Klein (KK) states can be order one irrespective of their zero mode masses. We observe that the gg→h and h→γγ rates are substantially altered if the KK states lie within the reach of LHC. We provide both intuitive and numerical comparison between the RS and UED scenarios as regards their quantitative impact in such processes.

Towards establishing the spin of warped gravitons

We study the possibility of experimental verification of the spin=2 nature of the Kaluza-Klein (KK) graviton which is predicted to exist in the extra-dimensional Randal-Sundrum (RS) warped models. The couplings of these gravitons to the particles located on or near the TeV brane is the strongest as the overlap integral of their profiles in the extra-dimension is large. Among them are unphysical Higgses ($W^{\pm}_L$ and $Z_L$) and KK excitations of the Standard Model (SM) gauge bosons. We consider the possibility to confirm the spin-2 nature of the first KK mode of the warped graviton ($G_1$) based on the angular distribution of the Z bozon in the graviton rest frame in the gg$\to G_1 \to W^{KK} (Z^{KK}) W (Z)\to WWZ$, gg$\to G_1\to ZZ$ and gg$\to G_1 \to Z^{KK} Z\to ZZH$ decay channels. Using Wigner D-matrix properties, we derive the relationship between the graviton spin, signal angular distribution peak value, and other theoretically calculable quantities. We then study the LHC signals for these decay modes and find that with 1000 fb$^{-1}$ of data, spin of the RS graviton up to $\sim$ 2 TeV may be confirmed in the $pp \to W^{KK} (Z^{KK}) W (Z) \to WWZ \to$ 3 leptons + jet + $\slashed{E}_T$ and $pp \to ZZ \to$ 4 leptons decay modes.

Radiative corrections to the lightest neutral Higgs mass in warped supersymmetry

We compute radiative correction to the lightest neutral Higgs mass (${m}_{h}$) induced by the Kaluza-Klein (KK) towers of fermions and sfermions in a minimal supersymmetric scenario embeded in a 5-dimensional warped space. The Higgs is confined to the TeV brane. The KK spectra of matter supermultiplets is tied to the explanation of the fermion mass hierarchy problem. We demonstrate that for a reasonable choice of extra-dimensional parameters, the KK-induced radiative correction can enhance the upper limit on ${m}_{h}$ by as much as 100 GeV beyond the 4d limit of 135 GeV.