Search

We discuss the production of radiation and dark matter assuming a time-dependent inflaton decay rate during the reheating period. It is shown that the time dependence of the inflaton decay rate can substantially modify the reheating dynamics. As an illustration, a leading interaction between the inflaton $\phi$ and the Higgs doublet ${\boldsymbol h}$ of the form $\phi |{\boldsymbol h}|^2$ was adopted. In the presence of such interaction, the Higgs doublet acquires a $\phi$-dependent mass which generates vacuum-expectation-value due to inflaton oscillations and breaks the Standard Model gauge symmetry. This leads to a time-dependent inflaton decay rate during the reheating period, and consequently, the production of radiation and dark matter during this period is modified. Regions of the parameter space that describe the observed value of the dark matter abundance were found and compared with the standard case when inflaton the decay rate is constant., Comment: v2: 8 pages and 2 figures; improved discussion on inflaton-induced gravitational production of dark matter; matches the published version

We consider an explicitly CP-violating model with two Higgs doublets and one complex singlet scalar. The singlet $S$ is charged under a global $\rm U(1)$ symmetry which is softly broken by a mass term $\mu^2 S^2+\hc$. Imaginary part of $S$ is a stable dark matter candidate which at the tree level, in the limit of zero momentum transfer, decouples from nucleons naturally satisfying all existing direct detection limits on dark matter scattering cross-section. It is explicitly shown that within this framework in the alignment limit CP-violation is still present in contrast to a popular version of a 2-Higgs doublet model with softly broken $Z_2$ symmetry. In this context, we investigate dark matter implications of the model both with and without CP violation in the scalar sector. In particular, dark matter relic abundance is calculated and the possibility for its indirect detection is discussed., Comment: 41 pages, 16 figures and 2 tables

A reheating phase in the early universe is an essential part of all inflationary models during which not only the Standard Model (SM) quanta are produced but it can also shed light on the production of dark matter. In this work, we explore a class of reheating models where the reheating is induced by a cubic interaction of the inflaton $\phi$ to the SM Higgs boson ${\textbf h}$ of the form $g_{h\phi} M_{\rm Pl} \phi |{\textbf h}|^2$ adopting the $\alpha$-attractor T-model of inflation. Assuming inflaton as a background field such interaction implies a $\phi$-dependent mass term of the Higgs boson and a non-trivial phase-space suppression of the reheating efficiency. As a consequence, the reheating is prolonged and the maximal temperature of the SM thermal bath is reduced. In particular, due to oscillations of the inflaton field the $\phi$-dependent Higgs boson mass results in periodic transitions between phases of broken and unbroken electroweak gauge symmetry. The consequences of these rapid phase transitions have been studied in detail. A purely gravitational reheating mechanism in the presence of the inflaton background, i.e., for $g_{h\phi}=0$, has also been investigated. It turned out that even though it may account for the total production of SM radiation in the absence of $g_{h\phi}$, its contribution to the reheating is subdominant for the range of $g_{h\phi}$ considered in this work. As a dark matter candidate, a massive Abelian vector boson, $X_\mu$, has been considered. Various production mechanisms of $X_\mu$ have been discussed including (i) purely gravitational production from the inflaton background, (ii) gravitational freeze-in from the SM quanta, (iii) inflaton decay through a dim-5 effective operator, and (iv) Higgs portal freeze-in and Higgs decay through a dim-6 effective operator. Parameters that properly describe the observed relic abundance have been determined., Comment: v2: 38 pages, 16 figures and 3 tables; added a subsection on tachyonic resonant production of Higgs boson; matches published version in JHEP

Recent dark matter (DM) direct searches place very stringent constraints on the possible DM candidates proposed in extensions of the Standard Model. There are however models where these constraints are avoided. One of the simplest and most striking examples comes from a straightforward Higgs portal pseudoscalar DM model featured with a softly broken $U(1)$ symmetry. In this model the tree-level DM-nucleon scattering cross section vanishes in the limit of zero momentum-transfer. It has also been argued that the leading-order DM-nucleon cross-section appears at the one-loop level. %, which is too small to be constrained experimentally. In this work we have calculated the exact cross-section in the zero momentum-transfer at the leading-order i.e., at the one-loop level of perturbative expansion. We have concluded that, in agreement with expectations, the amplitude for the scattering process is UV finite and approaches zero in the limit of vanishing DM masses. Moreover, we made clear that the finite DM velocity correction at tree-level is subdominant with respect to the one-loop contribution. Based on the analytic formulae, our numerical studies show that, for a typical choice of model parameters, the DM nuclear recoiling cross section is well below ${\cal O}(10^{-50}~{\rm cm}^2)$, which indicates that the DM direct detection signal in this model naturally avoids the present strong experimental limits on the cross-section., Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures

Symmetries of the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) potential that can be extended to the whole Lagrangian, i.e. the CP-symmetries CP1, CP2, CP3 and the Higgs-family symmetries Z2, U(1) and SO(3) are discussed. Sufficient and necessary conditions in terms of constraints on masses and physical couplings for the potential to respect each of these symmetries are found. Each symmetry can be realized through several alternative cases, each case being a set of relations among physical parameters. We will show that some of those relations are invariant under the renormalization group, but others are not. The cases corresponding to each symmetry group are illustrated by analyzing the interplay between the potential and the vacuum expectation values., 58 pages, 7 figures. JHEP version. References added, clarifications and minor changes made

A model of dark matter (DM) that communicates with the Standard Model (SM) exclusively through suppressed dimension five operator is discussed. The SM is augmented with a symmetry $U(1)_X \otimes Z_2$, where $U(1)_X$ is gauged and broken spontaneously by a very heavy decoupled scalar. The massive $U(1)_X$ vector boson ($X^\mu$) is stabilized being odd under unbroken $Z_2$ and therefore may contribute as the DM component of the universe. Dark sector field strength tensor $X^{\mu\nu}$ couples to the SM hypercharge tensor $B^{\mu\nu}$ via the presence of a heavier $Z_2$ odd real scalar $\Phi$, i.e. $1/\Lambda \; X^{\mu\nu}B_{\mu\nu}\Phi$, with $\Lambda$ being a scale of new physics. The freeze-in production of the vector boson dark matter feebly coupled to the SM is advocated in this analysis. Limitations of the so-called UV freeze-in mechanism that emerge when the maximum reheat temperature $T_\text{RH}$ drops down close to the scale of DM mass are discussed. The parameter space of the model consistent with the observed DM abundance is determined. The model easily and naturally avoids both direct and indirect DM searches. Possibility for detection at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is also considered. A Stueckelberg formulation of the model is derived., Comment: 40 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables, new references and figures added. Version accepted in JHEP

We discuss possibility to detect spin 0, 1 and 1/2 dark matter (DM) at future $e^{+} e^{-}$ colliders. The models considered here are simple, consistent and renormalizable field theories, that provide correct DM abundance and satisfy direct detection, indirect detection and collider constraints. The intention of this paper was to verify to what extend it might be possible to disentangle models of different DM spins by measurement of the cross section for $e^{+} e^{-} \to Z + \ldots\,$ at future $e^{+} e^{-}$ colliders. We specialize to the case of the ILC operating at $\sqrt{s} = 250~\text{GeV}$, however our results apply as well for the FCC-ee and the CEPC colliders. For each model the cross section maximized with respect to parameters was calculated and compared to the expected 95% CL cross-section limits estimated for the ILC. It turned out that near $2 m_{\text{DM}}\simeq m_{1,2}$ resonances, where $m_{1}$ and $m_{2}$ are the SM Higgs boson and a non-standard Higgs boson masses, respectively, there exist substantial regions where the models are testable. A special attention has been payed to calculation of the cross section in the region where $m_{1}\simeq m_{2}$., Comment: 31 pages, 13 figures; v2: matches the version to appear in JHEP

A model of vector dark matter that communicates with the Standard Model only through gravitational interactions has been investigated. It has been shown in detail how does the canonical quantization of the vector field in varying FLRW geometry implies a tachyonic enhancement of some of its momentum modes. Approximate solutions of the mode equation have been found and verified against exact numerical ones. De Sitter geometry has been assumed during inflation while after inflation a non-standard cosmological era of reheating with a generic equation of state has been adopted which is followed by the radiation-dominated universe. It has been shown that the spectrum of dark vectors produced gravitationally is centered around a characteristic comoving momentum $k_\star$ that is determined in terms of the mass of the vector $m_X$, the Hubble parameter during inflation $H_{\rm I}$, the equation of state parameter $w$ and the efficiency of reheating $\gamma$. Regions in the parameter space consistent with the observed dark matter relic abundance have been determined, justifying the gravitational production as a viable mechanism for vector dark matter. The results obtained in this paper are applicable within various possible models of inflation/reheating with non-standard cosmology parametrized effectively by the corresponding equation of state and efficiency of reheating., Comment: 33 pages and 9 figures; v2: matches the version to appear in JHEP

We study a vector dark matter (VDM) model in which the dark sector couples to the Standard Model sector via a Higgs portal. If the portal coupling is small enough the VDM can be produced via the freeze-in mechanism. It turns out that the electroweak phase transition have a substantial impact on the prediction of the VDM relic density. We further assume that the dark Higgs boson which gives the VDM mass is so light that it can induce strong VDM self-interactions and solve the small-scale structure problems of the Universe. As illustrated by the latest LUX data, the extreme smallness of the Higgs portal coupling required by the freeze-in mechanism implies that the dark matter direct detection bounds are easily satisfied. However, the model is well constrained by the indirect detections of VDM from BBN, CMB, AMS-02, and diffuse $\gamma$/X-rays. Consequently, only when the dark Higgs boson mass is at most of ${\cal O}({\rm keV})$ does there exist a parameter region which leads to a right amount of VDM relic abundance and an appropriate VDM self-scattering while satisfying all other constraints simultaneously., Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures

In face of the small-scale structure problems of the collisionless cold dark matter (DM) paradigm, a popular remedy is to introduce a strong DM self-interaction which can be generated nonperturbatively by a MeV-scale light mediator. However, if such the mediator is unstable and decays into SM particles, the model is severely constrained by the DM direct and indirect detection experiments. In the present paper, we study a model of a self-interacting fermionic DM, endowed with a light stable scalar mediator. In this model, the DM relic abundance is dominated by the fermionic DM particle which is generated mainly via the freeze-out of its annihilations to the stable mediator. Since this channel is invisible, the DM indirect detection constraints should be greatly relaxed. Furthermore, the direct detection signals are suppressed to an unobservable level since fermionic DM scatterings with a nucleon appear at one-loop level. By further studying the bounds from the CMB and BBN on the visible channels involving the dark sector, we show that there is a large parameter space which can generate appropriate DM self-interactions at dwarf galaxy scales, while remaining compatible with other experimental constraints., Comment: 25 pages, 6 figures

In spontaneously broken gauge theories, transition amplitudes describing dark-matter (DM) annihilation processes through a resonance may become highly inaccurate close to a production threshold, if a Breit-Wigner (BW) ansatz with a constant width is used. To partially overcome this problem, the BW propagator needs to be modified by including a momentum dependent decay width. However, such an approach to resonant transition amplitudes generically suffers from gauge artefacts that may also give rise to a bad or ambiguous high-energy behaviour for such amplitudes. We address the two problems of gauge dependence and high-energy unitarity within a gauge-independent framework of resummation implemented by the so-called Pinch Technique. We study DM annihilation via scalar resonances in a gauged U(1)$_X$ complex-scalar extension of the Standard Model that features a massive stable gauge field which can play the role of the DM. We find that the predictions for the DM abundance may vary significantly from previous studies based on the naive BW ansatz and propose an alternative simple approximation which leads to the correct DM phenomenology. In particular, our results do not depend on the gauge-fixing parameter and are consistent with considerations from high-energy unitarity., 29 pages, 9 figures, v2: minor typos corrected, matches published version

Multi-component dark matter scenarios constitute natural extensions of standard single-component setups and offer attractive new dynamics that could be adopted to solve various puzzles of dark matter. In this work we present and illustrate properties of a minimal UV-complete vector-fermion dark matter model where two or three dark sector particles are stable. The model we consider is an extension of the Standard Model (SM) by spontaneously broken extra $U(1)_X$ gauge symmetry and a Dirac fermion. All terms in the Lagrangian which are consistent with the assumed symmetry are present, so the model is renormalizable and consistent. To generate mass for the dark-vector $X_\mu$ the Higgs mechanism with a complex singlet $S$ is employed in the dark sector. Dark matter candidates are the massive vector boson $X_\mu$ and two Majorana fermions $\psi_\pm$. All the dark sector fields are singlets under the SM gauge group. The set of three coupled Boltzmann equations has been solved numerically and discussed. We have performed scans over the parameter space of the model implementing the total relic abundance and direct detection constraints. The dynamics of the vector-fermion dark matter model is very rich and various interesting phenomena appear, in particular, when the standard annihilations of a given dark matter are suppressed then the semi-annihilations, conversions and decays within the dark sector are crucial for the evolution of relic abundance and its present value. Possibility of enhanced self-interaction has been also discussed., Comment: v2: 25 pages + appendices, 12 captioned figures, a section on multi-component self-interacting dark matter is added, matches the journal accepted version

We investigate and compare two simple models of dark matter (DM): a vector and a scalar DM model. Both models require the presence of two physical Higgs bosons $h_1$ and $h_2$ which come from mixed components of the standard Higgs doublet $H$ and a complex singlet $S$. In the Vector model, the extra $U(1)$ symmetry is spontaneously broken by the vacuum of the complex field $S$. This leads to a massive gauge boson $X^\mu$ that is a DM candidate stabilized by the dark charge conjugation symmetry $S \to S^*$, $X^\mu\to -X^\mu$. On the other hand, in the Scalar model the gauge group remains the standard one. The DM field $A$ is the imaginary component of $S$ and the stabilizing symmetry is also the dark charge conjugation $S \to S^*$ ($A \to - A$). In this case, in order to avoid spontaneous breaking, the $U(1)$ symmetry is broken explicitly, but softly, in the scalar potential. The possibility to disentangle the two models has been investigated. We have analyzed collider, cosmological, DM direct and indirect detection constraints and shown that there are regions in the space spanned by the mass of the non-standard Higgs boson and the mass of the DM particle where the experimental bounds exclude one of the models. We have also considered possibility to disentangle the models at $e^+e^-$ collider and concluded that the process $e^+e^-\to Z + \text{DM}$ provides a useful tool to distinguish the models., Comment: 31 pages, 12 figures

The Standard Model (SM)-like couplings of the observed Higgs boson impose strong constraints on the structure of any extended Higgs sector. We consider the theoretical properties and the phenomenological implications of a generic two Higgs doublet model (2HDM). This model constitutes a simple and attractive extension of the SM that is consistent with the observation of the SM-like Higgs boson and precision electroweak observables, while providing a potential new source of CP-violation. In this paper we focus on the so-called Higgs alignment limit of the generic 2HDM, where the neutral scalar field~$H_1$, with the tree-level couplings of the SM Higgs boson, is a mass eigenstate that is aligned in field space with the direction of the Higgs vacuum expectation value. The properties of the two other heavier neutral Higgs scalars, $H_2$ and $H_3$, in the alignment limit of the 2HDM are also elucidated. It is shown that the couplings of $H_2$ and $H_3$ in the alignment limit are tightly constrained and correlated. For example, in the exact alignment limit at tree level, for bosonic final states $\text{BR}(H_{2,3} \to W^+W^-, ZZ, H_1 Z) = 0$ and $\text{BR}(H^\pm \to W^\pm H_1) = 0$, whereas for fermionic final states $\Gamma(H_2 \to f\bar f)/\Gamma(H_3 \to f\bar f) \sim M_2/M_3$ (where $M_\alpha$ is the mass of $H_\alpha$). In some cases, the results of the alignment limit differ depending on whether or not alignment is achieved via the decoupling of heavy scalar states. In particular, in the exact alignment limit without decoupling $\text{BR}(H_{2,3}\to H_1 H_1)=0$, whereas these branching ratios are nonzero in the decoupling regime. Observables that could be used to test the alignment scenario at the LHC are defined and discussed. The couplings of the Higgs bosons away from their exact alignment values are determined to leading order, and some consequences are elucidated., Comment: 44 pages, 1 figure; v2: references added; v3: major clarifications; v4: JHEP version

Motivated by the possibility of enhancing dark matter (DM) self-interaction cross-section $\sigma_{\rm self}$, we have revisited the issue of DM annihilation through a Breit-Wigner resonance. In this case thermally averaged annihilation cross-section has strong temperature dependence, whereas elastic scattering of DM on the thermal bath particles is suppressed. This leads to the early kinetic decoupling of DM and an interesting interplay in the evolution of DM density and temperature that can be described by a set of coupled Boltzmann equations. The standard Breit-Wigner parametrization of a resonance propagator is also corrected by including momentum dependence of the resonance width. It has been shown that this effects may change predictions of DM relic density by more than order of magnitude in some regions of the parameter space. Model independent discussion is illustrated within a theory of Abelian vector dark matter. The model assumes extra $U(1)$ symmetry group factor and an additional complex Higgs field needed to generate a mass for the dark vector boson, which provides an extra neutral Higgs boson $h_2$. We discuss the resonance amplification of $\sigma_{\rm self}$. It turns out that if DM abundance is properly reproduced, the Fermi-LAT data favor heavy DM and constraint the enhancement of $\sigma_{\rm self}$ to the range, which cannot provide a solution to the small-scale structure problems.}, Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, v2: minor changes in text, BBN and CMB constraints added

We show that in a multi-Higgs model in which one Higgs fits the LHC 125 GeV state, one or more of the other Higgs bosons can mediate DM-nucleon interactions with maximal DM isospin violation being possible for appropriate Higgs-quark couplings, independent of the nature of DM. We then consider the explicit example of a Type II two-Higgs-doublet model, identifying the h or H as the 125 GeV state while the H or h, respectively, mediates DM-nucleon interactions. Finally, we show that if a stable scalar, S, is added then it can be a viable light DM candidate with correct relic density while obeying all direct and indirect detection limits., Two subsections are added to address the collider bounds from direct search for heavy Higgs bosons and from jet plus missing energy final states. The LUX (2013) bound considered in the previous version is replaced by the latest LUX (2016) bound and the SuperCDMS limit is taken into account. The conclusions remain unchanged. A very minor change made in the title and new references included

We discuss possibilities of measuring CP violation in the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model by studying effects of one-loop generated $ZZZ$ and $ZWW$ vertices. We discuss a set of CP-sensitive asymmetries for $ZZ$ and $W^+W^-$ production at linear $e^+e^-$-colliders, that directly depends on the weak-basis invariant Im $J_2$ that parametrises the strength of CP violation. Given the restrictions on this model that follow from the LHC measurements, the predicted effects are small. Pursuing such measurements is however very important, as an observed signal might point to a richer scalar sector., 28 pages, v2: Signs in Eqs. (3.4) and (A.4) corrected, confirming result of arXiv:1710.05563. Fig. 2 corrected

For the general Two-Higgs-Doublet model, we present conditions for having spontaneous CP violation, in terms of physical masses and couplings. These relations involve the charged-Higgs mass, its cubic couplings with neutral scalars and quartic coupling, and become particularly simple in the alignment limit. In the simplified model with softly broken $Z_2$ symmetry, some deviation from alignment is required for spontaneous CP violation to be present., Comment: 22 pages

We show that the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) constrained by the two-loop-order requirement of cancellation of quadratic divergences is consistent with the existing experimental constraints. The model allows to ameliorate the little hierarchy problem by suppressing the quadratic corrections to scalar masses and lifting the mass of the lightest Higgs boson. A strong source of CP violation emerges from the scalar potential. The cutoff originating from the naturality arguments is shifted from 0.6 TeV in the Standard Model to >6 TeV in the 2HDM, depending on the mass of the lightest scalar., 2 figures, submitted to Fortschritte der Physik, presented at the 10th Hellenic School on Elementary Particle Physics and Gravity, Corfu 2010

Given the disappearance of the 750 GeV di-photon LHC signal and the absence of signals at high mass in this and other channels, significant constraints on the mixed Higgs-radion of the five-dimensional Randall-Sundrum model arise. By combining all channels, these constraints place a significant radion-mass-dependent lower bound on the radion vacuum expectation value that is fairly independent of the amount of Higgs radion mixing., 23+1 pages, 11 figures and 1 table

We employ an $SU(2)$ bulk Higgs doublet as the stabilization field in Randall-Sundrum model with appropriate bulk and brane-localized potentials. The gauge hierarchy problem can be solved for an exponentially IR-localized Higgs background field with mild values of fundamental parameters of the 5D theory. We consider an IR-UV-IR background geometry with the 5D SM fields in the bulk such that all the fields have even and odd tower of KK-modes. The zero-mode 4D effective theory contains all the SM fields plus a stable scalar, which serves as a dark matter candidate., 8 pages, 4 figures. Talk given at the XXXIX International Conference of Theoretical Physics "Matter To The Deepest", Ustron, Poland. Based on arXiv:1504.03706

We explore an extension of the Standard Model by an additional U (1) gauge group and a complex scalar Higgs portal. As the scalar is charged under this gauge factor this simple model supplies a vector dark matter candidate satisfying the observed relic abundance and limits from direct dark matter searches. An additional Higgs-like state, that may be heavier or lighter than the observed Higgs, is present and satisfies LEP and LHC bounds whilst allowing for absolute stability of the electroweak vacuum in a range of parameter space., Comment: 32 pages, 18 figures, v2: references added, minor corrections, published in JHEP

We construct a basis for effective operators responsible for interactions between the Standard Model and a dark sector composed of particles with spin less or equal to 1. Redundant operators are eliminated using dim-4 equations of motion. We consider simple scenarios where the dark matter components are stabilized against decay by Z2 symmetries. We determine operators which are loop-generated within an underlying theory and those that are potentially tree-level generated.

We review CP properties of the Two-Higgs-Doublet model. In particular, we show that spontaneous CP violation occurs in the parameter space on the border between regions allowing explicit CP violation and those where there is another minimum, deeper than the one corresponding to v=246 GeV. We discuss weak-basis invariants which describe CP violation and express them through measurable quantities like coupling constants and masses. Also, we discuss how CP violation is constrained by the LHC Higgs data. Finally, we identify effective operators that could be adopted to measure CP-invariants., 9 pages, Proceedings of the Corfu Summer Institute 2014 "School and Workshops on Elementary Particle Physics and Gravity", 3-21 September 2014 Corfu, Greece. v2: References added

We study a model of vector dark matter with the complex scalar Higgs portal. Renormalisation group equations at the 2-loop level are used to analyse perturbativity and stability of the vacuum. We impose experimental and theoretical constraints on the model and find regions in the parameter space consistent with the dark matter relic abundance inferred from the Planck data and bounds on DM-nucleon scattering cross-section from XENON and LUX experiments., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the proceedings of the XXXIX International Conference of Theoretical Physics "Matter to the deepest 2015'', presented by M. Duch

We derive the effective potential for the Standard Model Higgs-boson sector interacting with Kaluza-Klein excitations of the graviton ($h_\mu^{\nu n}$) and the radion ($\phi$) and show that {\it only} the Standard Model vacuum solution of $\partial V(h)/\partial h =0$ (h is the Higgs field) is allowed. We then consider the consequences of the curvature-scalar mixing xi R \Hhat^\dagger \Hhat$ (where $\Hhat$ is a Higgs doublet field on the visible brane), which causes the physical mass eigenstates h and $\phi$ to be mixtures of the original Higgs and radion fields. First, we discuss the theoretical constraints on the allowed parameter space. Next, we give precise procedures for computing the h and $\phi$ couplings given the {\it physical} eigenstate masses, mh and $\mphi$, xi and the new physics scales of the model. We show that LEP/LEP2 data implies that not both the h and $\phi$ can be light. In the allowed region of parameter space, we examine numerically the couplings and branching ratios of the h and $\phi$ for several cases with $\mh=120\gev$ and $\mphi\leq 300\gev$. The resulting prospects for detection of the h and $\phi$ at the LHC, a future LC and a $\gam\gam$ collider are reviewed. For moderate $|\xi|$, both the anomalous $h\to gg$ coupling and (when $\mh>2\mphi$) the non-standard decay channel $h \to \phi\phi$ can substantially impact h discovery. Presence of the latter is a direct signature for non-zero xi. We find that $BR(h \to \phi\phi)$ as large as $30 \div 40 %$ is possible when $|\xi|$ is large. Conversely, if $\mphi>2\mh$ then $BR(\phi\to hh)$ is generally large. The feasibility of experimentally measuring the anomalous gg and $\gam\gam$ couplings of the h and $\phi$ is examined., Comment: 62 page, 30 figures. Because some figures had to be reduced in resolution, they will only accurately appear in magnified ghostview. For full abstract see paper

Angular distribution of a secondary particle from top-quark decays is studied in a simple and general manner, paying careful attention to how relevant the top-quark production mechanism is. The conditions that lead to the distribution free from any possible anomalous top-quark decay interactions are specified. It is discussed how important the approximations adopted in earlier papers are., Comment: 9 pages, Latex, Final version (to appear in Phys.Lett. B)

We extend the two-Higgs doublet models of Type I and Type II by adding a real gauge-singlet scalar S dark matter candidate (2HDMS models). We impose theoretical constraints deriving from perturbativity, stability, unitarity and correct electroweak symmetry breaking and require that the lightest CP-even Higgs, h, fit the LHC data for the $\sim 125.5$ GeV state at the $68\%$~C.L. after including existing constraints from LEP and B physics and LHC limits on the heavier Higgs bosons. We find that these models are easily consistent with the LUX and SuperCDMS limits on dark-matter-Nucleon scattering and the observed $\Omega h^2$ for S masses above about 55 GeV. At lower $m_S$, the situation is more delicate. For points with $m_S$ in the 6-25 GeV range corresponding to the CDMS~II and CRESST-II positive signal ranges, the dark-matter-Nucleon cross sections predicted by the Type I and Type II models more or less automatically fall within the $95\%-99\%$~C.L. signal region boundaries. Were it not for the LUX and SuperCDMS limits, which exclude all (almost all) such points in the case of Type I (Type II), this would be a success for the 2HDMS models. In fact, in the case of Type II there are a few points with 5.5 GeV $\leq m_S \leq$ 6.2 GeV that survive the LUX and SuperCDMS limits and fall within the CDMS~II 99\% C.L. signal region. Possibilities for dark matter to be isospin-violating in this 2HDMS context are also examined., Comment: 30 pages, 20 figures, 6 tables

We search for time-dependent solutions for the 5-dimensional system of a scalar field canonically coupled to gravity. Time-independent and time-dependent scalar field configurations with the most general homogeneous and isotropic 4D metric are considered. For the case of time-independent scalar field, the time evolution of the scale factor is obtained for different values of the spatial curvature $k=0,\pm 1$. In the case of time-dependent scalar field, two classes of solutions are discussed and an extension of the superpotential formalism is proposed., 19 pages and 8 figures, v2: version published in JHEP

We have investigated a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM), focusing on CP violation. Various scenarios with spontaneous and explicit breaking of CP have been considered. Some features of CP violation related to a choice of the basis for the two Higgs doublets have been discussed and clarified. Regions in the physical parameter space corresponding to spontaneous and explicit CP violation have been located and discussed. The possibility to determine parameters of the scalar potential with no reference to Yukawa couplings has been considered and an unavoidable ambiguity has been found. The issue of disentangling spontaneous and explicit CP violation has been investigated., Comment: 32 pages, 5 figures. Minor changes. Version to appear in JHEP

We study the use of polarization asymmetries at a muon collider to determine the CP-even and CP-odd couplings of a Higgs boson to $\mu^+mu^-$. We determine achievable accuracy as a function of beam polarization and luminosity. The appropriate techniques for dealing with the polarization precession are outlined. Strategies especially appropriate for a two-Higgs-doublet model (including the MSSM) are given. Our general conclusion is that polarization will be very useful, especially if the proton source is such that full luminosity in the storage ring can be retained even after imposing cuts on the originally accepted muons necessary for $P\gsim 0.4$ for each beam., Comment: 33 pages, 10 figures, equations.sty

Already in the simplest two-Higgs-doublet model with CP violation in the Higgs sector, the $3\times3$ mixing matrix for the neutral Higgs bosons can substantially modify their couplings, thereby endangering the ``classical'' Higgs search strategies. However, there are sum rules relating Yukawa and Higgs-Z couplings which ensure that the ZZ, $b\anti b$ and $t\anti t$ couplings of a given neutral 2HDM Higgs boson cannot all be simultaneously suppressed. This result implies that any single Higgs boson will be detectable at an e^+e^- collider if the Z+Higgs, $b\anti b+$Higgs {\it and} $t\anti t+$Higgs production channels are all kinematically accessible {\it and} if the integrated luminosity is sufficient. We explore, as a function of Higgs mass, the luminosity required to guarantee Higgs boson detection, and find that for moderate $\tan\beta$ values the needed luminosity is unlikely to be available for all possible mixing scenarios. The additional difficulties for the case when the two-doublet Higgs sector is extended by adding one more singlet are summarized. Implications of the sum rules for Higgs discovery at the Tevatron and LHC are briefly discussed., Comment: 16 pages, 4 postscript figures, references added in replacement

We study 'Higgs Portal' 2-component Dark Matter scenario with two interacting cold Dark Matter (DM) candidates: a neutral scalar singlet ($\varphi$) and a neutral Majorana fermion ($\nu$). The relic abundance of $\varphi$ and $\nu$ is found assuming thermal DM production and solving the Boltzmann equations. We scan over the parameter space of the model to determine regions consistent with the WMAP data for DM relic abundance and the XENON100 direct detection limits for the DM-nucleus cross section., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, contribution to the proceedings of the conference "Matter To The Deepest, Recent Developments In Physics Of Fundamental Interactions, XXXVII International Conference of Theoretical Physics" (1-6 September, Ustron, Poland), v2: typo in authors name corrected

A generalized version of the Randall-Sundrum model-2 with different cosmological constants on each side of a brane has been discussed. A possibility of replacing the singular brane by a configuration of a scalar field has been also considered, the Einstein equations for this setup were solved and stability of the solution discussed. It has been shown that under mild assumptions the relation between cosmological constants and the brane tension obtained in the brane limit does not depend on the particular choice of the regularizing profile of the scalar field., Comment: 15 pages and 7 figures, v2: major revision in sections 2 and 3, results unchanged, version to appear in EPJC

Five-dimensional scenarios with infinitesimally thin branes replaced by appropriate configurations of a scalar field were considered. A possibility of periodic extra dimension was discussed in the presence on non-minimal scalar-gravity coupling and a generalized Gibbons-Kallosh-Linde sum rule was found. In order to avoid constraints imposed by periodicity, a non-compact spacial extra dimension was introduced. A five dimensional model with warped geometry and two thin branes mimicked by a scalar profile was constructed and discussed. In the thin brane limit the model corresponds to a set-up with two positive-tension branes. The presence of two branes allows to address the issue of the hierarchy problem which could be solved by the standard warping of the four dimensional metric provided the Higgs field is properly localized. Stability of the background solution was discussed and verified in the presence of the most general perturbations of the metric and the scalar field., 38+1 pages and 5 figures; v2: some references added and matches the published version in JHEP

We have updated a recently proposed extension of the Inert Doublet Model. The extension amounts to the addition of an extra non-inert scalar doublet. The model thus offers a possibility of CP violation in the scalar sector and a candidate for the Dark Matter. The recent XENON100 direct-detection experiment excludes a considerable range of medium-low dark-matter masses, leaving only as viable very low masses of order 5-10 GeV, as well as the regions from \sim 60 to \sim 110 GeV, and above \sim 530 GeV. For favorable parameter regions one may observe related long-lived charged particles produced at the LHC., Contribution to PoS Proceedings, The XXth International Workshop High Energy Physics and Quantum Field Theory, September 24 - October 1, 2011, Sochi, Russia

We explore the parameter choices in the five-dimensional Randall-Sundrum model with the inclusion of Higgs-radion mixing that can describe current LHC hints for one or more Higgs boson signals., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Revised version includes additional discussion of possible influence of 5D Yukawa couplings and higher KK states on $gg$ and $\gamma\gamma$ couplings of the unmixed Higgs boson

We examine the level of enhancement that can be achieved in the ZZ and \gamma\gamma channels for a two-Higgs-doublet model Higgs boson (either the light h or the heavy H) with mass near 125 GeV after imposing all constraints from LEP data, B physics, precision electroweak data, vacuum stability, unitarity and perturbativity. The latter constraints restrict substantially the possibilities for enhancing the gg -> h -> \gamma\gamma or gg -> H -> \gamma\gamma signal relative to that for the SM Higgs, hSM. Further, we find that a significant enhancement of the gg -> h -> \gamma\gamma or gg -> H -> \gamma\gamma signal in Type II models is possible only if the gg -> h -> ZZ or gg -> H -> ZZ mode is even more enhanced, a situation disfavored by current data. In contrast, in the Type I model one can achieve enhanced rates in the \gamma\gamma final state for the h while having the ZZ mode at or below the SM rate - the largest [gg -> h -> \gamma\gamma]/[gg -> hSM -> \gamma\gamma] ratio found is of order ~1.3 when the two Higgs doublet vacuum expectation ratio is tan\beta = 4 or 20 and the charged Higgs boson has its minimal LEP-allowed value of m_{H^\pm} = 90 GeV., Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures

We consider a simple extension of the Standard Model by the addition of N real scalar gauge singlets $\vp$ that are candidates for Dark Matter. By collecting theoretical and experimental constraints we determine the space of allowed parameters of the model. The possibility of ameliorating the little hierarchy problem within the multi-singlet model is discussed. The Spergel-Steinhardt solution of the Dark Matter density cusp problem is revisited. It is shown that fitting the recent CRESST-II data for Dark Matter nucleus scattering implies that the standard Higgs boson decays predominantly into pairs of Dark Matter scalars. It that case discovery of the Higgs boson at LHC and Tevatron is impossible. The most likely mass of the dark scalars is in the range 15 GeV $\lsim \mvp \lsim$ 50 GeV with $BR(h \to \vp\vp)$ up to 96%., Comment: 18 pages, 15 figures

We consider a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) constrained by the condition that assures cancellation of quadratic divergences up to the leading two-loop order. Regions in the parameter space consistent with existing experimental constraints and with the cancellation condition are determined. The possibility for CP violation in the scalar potential is discussed and regions of \tan_\beta-M_{H^\pm} with substantial amount of CP violation are found. The model allows to ameliorate the little hierarchy problem by lifting the minimal scalar Higgs boson mass and by suppressing the quadratic corrections to scalar masses. The cutoff originating from the naturality arguments is therefore lifted from ~0.6 TeV in the Standard Model to ~2.5 TeV in the 2HDM, depending on the mass of the lightest scalar., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, presented at PASCOS 2010, the 16th International Symposium on Particles, Strings and Cosmology, to appear in Journal of Physics: Conference Series

We explore an extension of the Inert Doublet Model which allows also for CP violation in the Higgs sector. This necessitates two non-inert doublets. The lightest neutral scalar of the inert doublet is a candidate for dark matter. Scanning over parameters we preserve the abundance of the dark matter in agreement with the WMAP data. We also impose all relevant collider and theoretical constraints to determine the allowed parameter space for which both the dark matter is appropriate and CP is violated. In addition we find regions where the cut-off of the model originating from naturality arguments can be substantially lifted compared to its Standard Model value, reaching 2-3 TeV., 38 pages, 8 figures, LaTeX. v2: PRD version (some clarifications, two new figures)

We show that the addition of real scalars (gauge singlets) to the Standard Model can both ameliorate the little hierarchy problem and provide realistic Dark Matter candidates. To this end, the coupling of the new scalars to the standard Higgs boson must be relatively strong and their mass should be in the 1-3 TeV range, while the lowest cutoff of the (unspecified) UV completion must be >~ 5 TeV, depending on the Higgs boson mass and the number of singlets present. The existence of the singlets also leads to realistic and surprisingly reach neutrino physics. The resulting light neutrino mass spectrum and mixing angles are consistent with the constraints from the neutrino oscillations., discussion of multi singlet case added

We discuss cosmological consequences of the existence of physics beyond the standard model that exhibits Banks-Zaks and unparticle behavior in the UV and IR respectively. We first derive the equation of state for unparticles and use it to obtain the temperature dependence of the corresponding energy and entropy densities. We then formulate the Boltzmann and Kubo equations for both the unparticles and the Banks-Zaks particles, and use these results to determine the equilibrium conditions between the standard model and the new physics. We conclude by obtaining the constraints on the effective number of degrees of freedom of unparticles imposed by Big-Bang nucleosynthesis., Expanded version of the original submission. 13 pages, 1 figure, requires revtex4

We consider 5 dimensional gauge theories where the 5th direction is compactified on an interval. The Chern-Simons (CS) terms (favored by naive dimensional analysis) are discussed. A simple scenario with an extra U(1)_X gauge field that couples to SU(3)_{color} through a CS term in the bulk is constructed. The extra component of the Abelian gauge field plays a role of the axion, which in the standard manner solves the strong CP problem easily avoiding most of experimental constraints. This version has an expanded discussion of the phenomenology of the model and various clarifications in the estimation of the operator coefficients in the appendix., 6 pages, no figures

Perturbative unitarity for $\wlwl$ scattering is discussed within the Randall-Sundrum model. It is shown that the exchange of massive 4D Kaluza-Klein gravitons leads to amplitudes growing linearly with the CM energy squared. Summing over KK gravitons up to a scale $\lbar$ and testing unitarity at $\rts=\lbar$, one finds that unitarity is violated for $\lbar$ below the 'naive dimensional analysis' scale, $\lnda$. It is also shown that the exchange of gravitons can substantially relax the upper limit from unitarity on the mass of the Standard Model Higgs boson - consistency with unitarity for all $\rts$ below $\lbar$ is possible for $\mh$ as large as $ 1.4\tev$, depending on the curvature of the background metric. Observation of the mass and width (or cross section) of one or more KK gravitons at the LHC will directly determine the curvature and the scale $\lw$ specifying the couplings of matter to the KK gravitons. With this information and a measurement of the Higgs boson mass it will be possible to determine the precise $\rts$ value below which unitarity will remain valid., Comment: Presented at the XXXI International Conference of Theoretical Physics "Matter To The Deepest: Recent Developments In Physics of Fundamental Interactions", Ustron, 5-11 September 2007, Poland

We show that perturbative unitarity for $W_LW_L$ scattering places significant constraints on the Randall-Sundrum theory with two 3-branes, with matter confined to the TeV brane. The exchange of massive 4D Kaluza-Klein gravitons leads to amplitudes growing linearly with the CM energy squared. Summing over KK gravitons up to a scale $\lbar$ and testing unitarity at $\sqrt s=\lbar$, one finds that unitarity is violated for $\lbar$ below the 'naive dimensional analysis' scale, $\Lambda_{NDA}$. We evaluate $\lbar$ as a function of the curvature ratio $m_0/M_{Planck}$ for the pure gravity theory. We then demonstrate that unitarity need not be violated at $\lbar$ in the presence of a heavy Higgs boson. In fact, much larger Higgs masses are consistent with unitarity than if no KK gravitons are present. Observation of the mass and width (or cross section) of one or more KK gravitons at the LHC will directly determine $m_0/M_{Planck}$ and the scale $\hat \Lambda$ specifying the couplings of matter to the KK gravitons. With this information in hand and a measurement of the Higgs boson mass, one can determine the precise scale $\lbar$ below which unitarity will remain valid., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, major revisions made

We discuss several aspects of higher dimensional models that contain bulk gauge and fermion fields only. In particular we argue that non-standard boundary conditions involving charge-conjugate fermion fields offer attractive model building possibilities. We also discuss a no-go theorem for 5-dimensional models which severely limits their phenomenological relevance., Comment: 4 pages, 1 fugure; contribution to the SUSY06 proceedings

Within five-dimensional compactified theories we discuss generalized periodicity and orbifold boundary conditions that allow for mixing between particles and anti-particles after a shift by the size of extra dimensions or after the orbifold reflection. A systematic strategy for constructing 4-dimensional models is presented, in particular we find a general form of the periodicity and orbifold conditions that are allowed by consistency requirements. We formulate general conditions for a presence of massless Kaluza-Klein modes and discuss remaining gauge symmetry of the zero-mode sector. It is shown that if the orbifold twist operation transforms particles into anti-particles then the zero-mode fermions are 4-dimensional Majorana fermions. The possibility of explicit and spontaneous CP violation is discussed. General considerations are illustrated by many Abelian and non-Abelian examples.

The triviality and vacuum stability bounds on the Higgs-boson mass ($\mh$) were revisited in presence of weakly-coupled new interactions parameterized in a model-independent way by effective operators of dimension 6. The constraints from precision tests of the Standard Model were taken into account. It was shown that for the scale of new physics in the region $\Lambda \simeq 2 \div 50 \tev$ the Standard Model triviality upper bound remains unmodified whereas it is natural to expect that the lower bound derived from the requirement of vacuum stability is substantially modified depending on the scale $\La$ and strength of coefficients of effective operators. A natural generalization of the standard triviality condition leads also to a substantial reduction of the allowed region in the ($\Lambda,\mh$) space., Comment: 18 pages 3 eps figures. The discussion in the appendix was modified slightly and some typographical errors were corrected

Possible anomalous top-quark couplings induced by SU(2) x U(1) gauge-invariant dimension-6 effective operators were studied in the process of t t-bar productions and decays at polarized gamma gamma colliders. Two CP-violating asymmetries, a linear-polarization asymmetry and a circular-polarization asymmetry, were computed including both non-standard [t t-bar gamma] and [gamma gamma H] couplings. An optimal-observable analysis for the process gamma gamma --> t t-bar --> l^{+-} ... was performed in order to estimate the precision for determination of all relevant non-standard couplings, including the anomalous tbW coupling., 23 pages, Latex2e, Two eps-figures. Final version which is to appear in Nucl.Phys.B