Predictivity of models with spontaneously broken non-Abelian discrete flavor symmetries

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how vacuum expectation values of flavon fields in supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric models affect flavor predictions, including masses, mixing, and flavor-changing processes, through corrections to the Kähler potential.

Contribution

It provides simple analytic formulas to evaluate the impact of flavon VEVs on flavor predictions and vacuum alignment in models with spontaneously broken non-Abelian discrete symmetries.

Findings

Derived formulas for Kähler potential corrections

Analyzed effects on mass and mixing predictions

Discussed implications for flavor-changing neutral currents

Abstract

In a class of supersymmetric flavor models predictions are based on residual symmetries of some subsectors of the theory such as those of the charged leptons and neutrinos. However, the vacuum expectation values of the so-called flavon fields generally modify the K\"ahler potential of the setting, thus changing the predictions. We derive simple analytic formulae that allow us to understand the impact of these corrections on the predictions for the masses and mixing parameters. Furthermore, we discuss the effects on the vacuum alignment and on flavor changing neutral currents. Our results can also be applied to non--supersymmetric flavor models.