Search

The detection of variations of fundamental constants of the Standard Model would provide us with compelling evidence of new physics, and could lift the veil on the nature of dark matter and dark energy. In this work, we discuss how a network of atomic and molecular clocks can be used to look for such variations with unprecedented sensitivity over a wide range of time scales. This is precisely the goal of the recently launched QSNET project: A network of clocks for measuring the stability of fundamental constants. QSNET will include state-of-the-art atomic clocks, but will also develop next-generation molecular and highly charged ion clocks with enhanced sensitivity to variations of fundamental constants. We describe the technological and scientific aims of QSNET and evaluate its expected performance. We show that in the range of parameters probed by QSNET, either we will discover new physics, or we will impose new constraints on violations of fundamental symmetries and a range of theories beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter and dark energy models.

The QSNET consortium is building a UK network of next-generation atomic and molecular clocks that will achieve unprecedented sensitivity in testing variations of the fine structure constant, $\alpha$, and the electron-to-proton mass ratio, $\mu$. This in turn will provide more stringent constraints on a wide range of fundamental and phenomenological theories beyond the Standard Model and on dark matter models.

A unified model is constructed, based on flipped $SU(5)$ in which the proton is absolutely stable. The model requires the existence of new leptons with masses of order the weak scale. The possibility that the unification scale could be extremely low is discussed., Comment: 13 pages

We investigate possible signatures of long-lived (or stable) charged black holes at the Large Hadron Collider. In particular, we find that black hole remnants are characterised by quite low speed. Due to this fact, the charged remnants could, in some cases, be very clearly distinguished from the background events, exploiting dE/dX measurements. We also compare the estimate energy released by such remnants with that of typical Standard Model particles, using the Bethe-Bloch formula., Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, minor changes to match the accepted version to appear in EPJC

We report on particle physics applications of the renormalization group equation of Newton's constant., Comment: 3 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the 12th Marcel Grossman Meeting

We explore the consequences of an electroweak symmetry breaking sector which exhibits approximately scale invariant dynamics -- i.e., nontrivial fixed point behavior, as in unparticle models. One can think of an unHiggs as a composite Higgs boson with a continuous mass distribution. We find it convenient to represent the unHiggs in terms of a Kallen-Lehmann spectral function, from which it is simple to verify the generation of gauge boson and fermion masses, and unitarization of WW scattering. We show that a spectral function with broad support, which corresponds to approximate fixed point behavior over an extended range of energy, can lead to an effectively invisible Higgs particle, whose decays at LEP or LHC could be obscured by background., Comment: 8 pages

Astrophysical indications that the fine structure constant is time dependent are discussed in the framework of grand unification models. A variation of the electromagnetic coupling constant could either be generated by a corresponding time variation of the unified coupling constant or by a time variation of the unification scale, or by both. The case in which the time variation of the electromagnetic coupling constant is caused by a time variation of the unification scale is of special interest. It is supported in addition by recent hints towards a time change of the proton-electron mass ratio. Possible implications for baryogenesis are discussed., Comment: talk given at the 10th International Conference on Supersymmetry and Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY02), Hamburg, Germany, 17-23 June 2002

We present a model based on a SU(2) confining theory which is dual to the standard model. This duality allows to calculate the electroweak mixing angle and the Higgs boson mass. Possible tests of this duality are discussed., Comment: Ph.D. thesis

We discuss a two scalar doublets model which induces the Higgs mechanism by means of a seesaw mechanism. This model naturally predicts a light Higgs scalar whose mass is suppressed by the grand unification scale. The model predicts an intermediate scale between the electroweak symmetry breaking scale and the grand unification scale at $10^9$ GeV. Below this intermediate energy scale the usual standard model appears as an effective theory. A seesaw mechanism in the scalar sector of the model not only induces the standard Higgs mechanism, but also solves the hierarchy problem. An implementation of this mechanism in models where the Planck scale is in the TeV region is discussed., Comment: 4 pages

We consider the Standard Model on a non-commutative space and expand the action in the non-commutativity parameter theta. No new particles are introduced, the structure group is SU(3) x SU(2) x U(1). We derive the leading order action. At zeroth order the action coincides with the ordinary Standard Model. At leading order in theta we find new vertices which are absent in the Standard Model on commutative space-time. The most striking features are couplings between quarks, gluons and electroweak bosons and many new vertices in the charged and neutral currents. We find that parity is violated in non-commutative QCD. The Higgs mechanism can be applied. QED is not deformed in the minimal version of the NCSM to the order considered., Comment: 28 pages, v3: typos corrected, new appendix on alternative kinetic terms for gauge bosons; v4: typos corrected

We compute CP asymmetries of one-particle inclusive B(s) --> D(s) X decay rates. We find that the weak angle gamma could in principle be extracted from these asymmetries although they are very small. Taking the decay width difference into account, we find that the time integrated CP asymmetries are of the order A=1.4 10^(-4) sin(gamma). Some large uncertainties remain due to the lack of experimental data., Comment: 12 pages

We discuss one-particle inclusive B sub s -> D bar sub s X decays using a QCD based method already applied to B -> D bar X. A link between the right charm non-perturbative form factors of the semi-leptonic decays and those of the non-leptonic decays is established. Our results are compatible with current experimental knowledge., Comment: 10 pages, 0 figure