Solving the Standard Model Problems in Softened Gravity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a softened gravity framework that addresses the Higgs naturalness problem, incorporates neutrino physics and dark matter, and aligns with inflationary models, all while maintaining naturalness and stability.

Contribution

It introduces a model extending Einstein gravity with quadratic curvature and Higgs coupling, integrating right-handed neutrinos, and demonstrating natural solutions to multiple fundamental problems.

Findings

Higgs naturalness is maintained with softened gravity at energies below 10^{11} GeV.

The model naturally includes neutrino oscillations, dark matter, and baryon asymmetry.

Inflation can be realized via a Starobinsky-like mechanism even in a metastable vacuum.

Abstract

The Higgs naturalness problem is solved if the growth of Einstein's gravitational interaction is softened at an energy $ \lesssim 10^{11}\,$GeV (softened gravity). We work here within an explicit realization where the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian is extended to include terms quadratic in the curvature and a non-minimal coupling with the Higgs. We show that this solution is preserved by adding three right-handed neutrinos with masses below the electroweak scale, accounting for neutrino oscillations, dark matter and the baryon asymmetry. The smallness of the right-handed neutrino masses (compared to the Planck scale) and the QCD $\theta$-term are also shown to be natural. We prove that a possible gravitational source of CP violation cannot spoil the model, thanks to the presence of right-handed neutrinos. Inflation is approximately described by the Starobinsky model in this context, and can occur even if we live in a metastable vacuum.