Are neutrino masses modular forms?

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel class of supersymmetric models where modular invariance acts as the flavor symmetry, constraining neutrino masses and mixing angles through modular forms and the vacuum expectation value of a single modulus.

Contribution

It develops a new framework for lepton flavor models using modular invariance, reducing the need for flavon fields and linking neutrino parameters directly to the modulus VEV.

Findings

Model predicts neutrino mass ratios and mixing angles within experimental bounds.

Modular invariance constrains all higher-dimensional operators in the superpotential.

Provides complete examples demonstrating the framework's viability.

Abstract

We explore a new class of supersymmetric models for lepton masses and mixing angles where the role of flavour symmetry is played by modular invariance. The building blocks are modular forms of level N and matter supermultiplets, both transforming in representations of a finite discrete group Gamma_N. In the simplest version of these models, Yukawa couplings are just modular forms and the only source of flavour symmetry breaking is the vacuum expectation value of a single complex field, the modulus. In the special case where modular forms are constant functions the whole construction collapses to a supersymmetric flavour model invariant under Gamma_N, the case treated so far in the literature. The framework has a number of appealing features. Flavon fields other than the modulus might not be needed. Neutrino masses and mixing angles are simultaneously constrained by the modular symmetry. As long as supersymmetry is exact, modular invariance determines all higher-dimensional operators in the superpotential. We discuss the general framework and we provide complete examples of the new construction. The most economical model predicts neutrino mass ratios, lepton mixing angles, Dirac and Majorana phases uniquely in terms of the modulus vacuum expectation value, with all the parameters except one within the experimentally allowed range. As a byproduct of the general formalism we extend the notion of non-linearly realised symmetries to the discrete case.