Connection between $\nu n \rightarrow \bar{\nu} \bar{n}$ reactions and $n$-$\bar{n}$ oscillations via additional Higgs triplets

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical connection between neutrino-induced antineutron-antineutron reactions and neutron-antineutron oscillations within a model featuring additional Higgs triplets, analyzing their constraints and experimental detectability.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of how Higgs triplet models relate neutrino reactions to neutron oscillations, considering symmetry breaking scenarios and experimental implications.

Findings

Neutrino reactions can mimic neutron oscillations in experiments.

Higgs triplet masses could be detectable at colliders.

Neutron oscillation times are beyond current experimental reach.

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the connection and compatibility between $\nu n \rightarrow \bar{\nu} \bar{n}$ reactions and $n$-$\bar{n}$ oscillations based on the $SU(3)_c \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)$ symmetry model with additional Higgs triplets. We explore the possibility that the scattering process $\nu n\rightarrow \bar{\nu}\bar{n}$ produced by low-energy solar neutrinos gives rise to an unavoidable background in the measurements of $n$-$\bar{n}$ oscillations. We focus on two different scenarios, depending on whether the $(B-L)$ symmetry could be broken. We analyze the interplay of the various constraints on the two processes and their observable consequences. In the scenario where both $(B+L)$ and $(B-L)$ could be broken, we point out that if all the constraints, mainly arising from the type-II seesaw mechanism, are satisfied, the parameter space would be severely constrained. In this case, although the masses of the Higgs triplet bosons could be within the reach of a direct detection at the LHC or future high-energy experiments, the predicted $n$-$\bar{n}$ oscillation times would be completely beyond the detectable regions of the present experiments. In both scenarios, the present experiments cannot distinguish a $\nu n \rightarrow \bar{\nu} \bar{n}$ reaction event from a $n$-$\bar{n}$ oscillation event within the accessible energy range. Nevertheless, if any of the two processes is detected, there could be signal associated with new physics beyond the Standard Model.