Axion Predictions in $SO(10)\times U(1)_{\rm PQ}$ Models

TL;DR

This paper explores $SO(10) imes U(1)_{PQ}$ grand unified models, predicting axion properties and their implications for dark matter, gauge unification, and cosmology, integrating solutions to multiple fundamental physics problems.

Contribution

It provides a detailed calculation of axion mass and couplings within $SO(10) imes U(1)_{PQ}$ models, linking them to symmetry breaking scales and unification constraints.

Findings

Axion mass and couplings are derived from symmetry breaking scales.

Constraints from gauge coupling unification are analyzed.

Implications for dark matter and cosmology are discussed.

Abstract

Non-supersymmetric Grand Unified $SO(10)\times U(1)_{\rm PQ}$ models have all the ingredients to solve several fundamental problems of particle physics and cosmology -- neutrino masses and mixing, baryogenesis, the non-observation of strong CP violation, dark matter, inflation -- in one stroke. The axion - the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson arising from the spontaneous breaking of the $U(1)_{\rm PQ}$ Peccei-Quinn symmetry - is the prime dark matter candidate in this setup. We determine the axion mass and the low energy couplings of the axion to the Standard Model particles, in terms of the relevant gauge symmetry breaking scales. We work out the constraints imposed on the latter by gauge coupling unification. We discuss the cosmological and phenomenological implications.