Universal torsion-induced interaction from large extra dimensions

We consider the Kaluza-Klein (KK) scenario in which only gravity exists in the bulk. Without the assumption of symmetric connection, the presence of brane fermions induces torsion. The result is a universal axial contact interaction that dominates those induced by KK gravitons. This enhancement arises from a large spin density on the brane. Using a global fit to Z-pole observables, we find the 3sigma bound on the scale of quantum gravity to be 28 TeV for n = 2. If Dirac or light sterile neutrinos are present, the data from SN1987A increase the bound to sqrt[n] M(S)>/=210 TeV.     

Physics with large extra dimensions

The recent understanding of string theory opens the possibility that the string scale can be as low as a few TeV. The apparent weakness of gravitational interactions can then be accounted by the existence of large internal dimensions, in the sub-millimeter region. Furthermore, our world must be confined to live on a brane transverse to these large dimensions, with which it interacts only gravitationally. In my lecture, I describe briefly this scenario which gives a new theoretical framework for solving the gauge hierarchy problem and the unification of all interactions. I also discuss a minimal embedding of the standard model, gauge coupling unification and proton stability. On leave from: Centre de Physique Théorique, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, Cedex, France.     

Verifiable model of neutrino masses from large extra dimensions

We propose a new scenario of neutrino masses with a Higgs triplet (xi(++),xi(+),xi(0)) in a theory of large extra dimensions. Lepton number violation in a distant brane acts as the source of a very small trilinear coupling of xi to the standard Higgs doublet in our brane. Small realistic Majorana neutrino masses are naturally obtained with the fundamental scale M(*) approximately O(1) TeV, foretelling the possible discovery of xi (m(xi) less, similarM(*)) at future colliders. Decays of xi(++) into same-sign dileptons are fixed by the neutrino mass matrix. Observation of &mgr;-e conversion in nuclei is predicted.     

The Higgs in large extra dimensions

Transverse (submillimeter) and longitudinal (TeV) extra dimensions can help in dealing with the Higgs hierarchy problem. On the one hand large transverse dimensions can lower the fundamental scale of quantum gravity from the Planck scale to the TeV range. On the other hand longitudinal dimensions can provide genuine extra-dimensional symmetries (higher dimensional gauge symmetry and/or supersymmetry) to protect the Higgs mass against ultraviolet sensitivity. In this article we review recent developments along these directions. To cite this article: K. Benakli, M. Quirós, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Gamma rays from the Galactic bulge and large extra dimensions

An intriguing feature of extra dimensions is the possible production of Kaluza-Klein gravitons by nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung, in the course of core collapse of massive stars, with gravitons then being trapped around the newly born neutron stars and decaying into two gamma rays, making neutron stars gamma-ray sources. We strengthen the limits on the radius of compactification of extra dimensions for a small number n of them, or alternatively the fundamental scale of quantum gravity, considering the gamma-ray emission of the whole population of neutron stars sitting in the Galactic bulge, instead of the closest member of this category. For n=1 the constraint on the compactification radius is R<400 microm.     

Stringent neutron-star limits on large extra dimensions

Supernovae (SNe) are copious sources for Kaluza-Klein (KK) gravitons which are generic for theories with large extra dimensions. These massive particles are produced with average velocities approximately 0.5c so that many of them are gravitationally retained by the SN core. Every neutron star thus has a halo of KK gravitons which decay into nu(nu), e(+)e(-), and gammagamma on time scales approximately 10(9) years. The EGRET gamma-flux limits (E(gamma) approximately 100 MeV) for nearby neutron stars constrain the compactification scale for n = 2 extra dimensions to M > or = 500 TeV, and M > or = 30 TeV for n = 3. The requirement that neutron stars are not excessively heated by KK decays implies M > or = 1700 TeV for n = 2, and M > or = 60 TeV for n = 3.     

Weak gravity conjecture with large extra dimensions

In the presence of large extra dimensions, the fundamental Planck scale can be much lower than the apparent four-dimensional Planck scale. In this setup, the weak gravity conjecture implies a much more stringent constraint on the UV cutoff for the U(1) gauge theory in four dimensions. This new energy scale may be relevant to LHC.     

Black hole production and large extra dimensions

Black hole (BH) production at colliders is possible when the colliding energy is above the Planck scale, which can effectively be at TeV scale in models of large extra dimensions. In this work, we study the production of black holes at colliders and discuss the possible signatures. We point out the " ij-->BH+others" subprocesses, in which the BH and other standard-model particles are produced with a large transverse momentum. When the BH decays, it gives a signature that consists of particles of high multiplicity in a boosted spherical shape on one side of the event and a few numbers of high p(T) partons on the other side, which provide very useful tags for the event.     

GIMPs from extra dimensions

We study a scalar field theory in a flat five-dimensional setup, where a scalar field lives in a bulk with a Dirichlet boundary condition, and give an implementation of this setup to the Froggatt–Nielsen (FN) mechanism. It is shown that all couplings of physical field of the scalar with the all brane localized standard model particles are vanishing while realizing the usual FN mechanism. This setup gives the scalar a role as an only Gravitationally Interacting Massive Particle (GIMP), which is a candidate for dark matter.     

Astrophysical implications of the induced neutrino magnetic moment from large extra dimensions

Theories involving extra dimensions, a low (TeV) string scale and bulk singlet neutrinos will produce an effective neutrino magnetic moment which may be large (10⁻¹¹μ_B). The effective magnetic moment increases with neutrino energy, and therefore high energy reactions are most useful for limiting the allowed number of extra dimensions. We examine constraints from both neutrino-electron scattering and also astrophysical environments. We find that supernova energy loss considerations require a number of extra dimensions, n≥2, for an electron neutrino-bulk neutrino Yukawa coupling of order 1.     

n-n* oscillations in models with large extra dimensions

We analyze n-n* oscillations in generic models with large extra dimensions in which standard-model fields propagate and fermion wave functions have strong localization. We find that in these models n-n* oscillations might occur at levels not too far below the current limit.     

Three flavour neutrino oscillations in models with large extra dimensions

The key challenges for models with large extra dimensions, posed by neutrino physics are: first to understand why neutrino masses are small and second, whether one can have a simultaneous explanation of all observed oscillation phenomena. There exist models that answer the first challenge by using singlet bulk neutrinos coupled to the standard model in the brane. Our goal in this paper is to see to what extent the simplest versions of these models can answer the second challenge. Our conclusion is that the minimal framework that has no new physics beyond the above simple picture cannot simultaneously explain solar, atmospheric and LSND data, whereas there are several ways that it can accommodate the first two. This would suggest that confirmation of LSND data would indicate the existence of new physics either in the brane or in extra dimensions or both, if indeed it turns out that there are large extra dimensions.     

Search for large extra dimensions in dielectron and diphoton production

We report a search for effects of large extra spatial dimensions in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV with the D0 detector, using events containing a pair of electrons or photons. The data are in good agreement with the expected background and do not exhibit evidence for large extra dimensions. We set the most restrictive lower limits to date, at the 95% C.L. on the effective Planck scale between 1.0 and 1.4 TeV for several formalisms and numbers of extra dimensions.     

Renormalization group and black hole production in large extra dimensions

It has been suggested that the existence of a non-Gaussian fixed point in general relativity might cure the ultraviolet problems of this theory. Such a fixed point is connected to an effective running of the gravitational coupling. We calculate the effect of the running gravitational coupling on the black hole production cross section in models with large extra dimensions.     

Gravitational interaction of neutrinos in models with large extra dimensions

Whenever fields are allowed to propagate in different portions of space-time, the four-dimensional theory exhibits an effective violation of the principle of equivalence. We discuss the conditions under which such an effect is relevant for neutrino physics. In the simplest case of compactification on a flat manifold, the effect of gravity is many orders of magnitude too weak and plays no role for solar neutrino oscillations. Instead, it could be important in the study of ultra high energy neutrinos in cosmic rays. Gravity could also be relevant for lower energy neutrino processes involving bulk sterile states, if the mechanism of compactification is more subtle than that on torii. Received: 12 September 2002 / Revised version: 6 November 2002 / Published online: 24 January 2003     

Supersymmetric large extra dimensions and the cosmological constant: an update

This article critically reviews the proposal for addressing the cosmological constant problem within the framework of supersymmetric large extra dimensions (SLED), as recently proposed in hep-th/0304256. After a brief restatement of the cosmological constant problem, a short summary of the proposed mechanism is given. The emphasis is on the perspective of the low-energy effective theory in order to see how it addresses the problem of why low-energy particles like the electron do not contribute too large a vacuum energy. This is followed by a discussion of the main objections, which are grouped into the following five topics: (1) Weinberg’s No-Go Theorem. (2) Are hidden tunings of the theory required, and are these stable under renormalization? (3) Why should the mechanism apply only now and not rule out possible earlier epochs of inflationary dynamics? (4) How big are quantum effects, and which are the most dangerous? and (5) Even if successful, can the mechanism be consistent with cosmological or current observational constraints? It is argued that there are plausible reasons why the mechanism can thread the potential objections, but that a definitive proof that it does depends on addressing well-defined technical points. These points include identifying what fixes the size of the extra dimensions, checking how topological obstructions renormalize and performing specific calculations of quantum corrections. More detailed studies of these issues, which are well within reach of our present understanding of extra-dimensional theories, are currently underway. As such, the jury remains out concerning the proposal, although the prospects for acquittal still seem good. (An abridged version of this article appears in the proceedings of SUSY 2003.)     

A new energy source originating from extra dimensions

In this work the Einstein gravitational field equations and the Lichnerowicz boundary formalism in the extra dimensions are used to build up our black hole model from 6-dimensional space－time. From the internal stress－energy tensor the solutions with energy levels and semiclassical space-quantization are obtained, which combines with only one metric condition outside the defect. We show a new type of energy source, which originates from extra dimensions. A part of the energy source of quasi-stellar object (QSO) maybe come from extra dimensions in that way. The theoretical arithmetic upper limit is identical to that of the output energy of QSO.     

Reconsidering extra time-like dimensions

In this study we reconsider the phenomenological problems related to tachyonic modes in the context of extra time-like dimensions. First we reconsider a lower bound on the size of extra time-like dimensions and improve on the conclusion in the literature. Next we discuss the issues of spontaneous decay of stable fermions through tachyonic decays and disappearance of fermions due to tachyonic contributions to their self-energies. We find that the tachyonic modes due to extra time-like dimensions are less problematic than the tachyonic modes in the usual 4-dimensional setting because the most troublesome Feynman diagrams are forbidden once the conservation of momentum in the extra time-like dimensions is imposed.