Simple Modular invariant model for Quark, Lepton, and flavored-QCD axion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a minimal, modular-invariant extension of the Standard Model incorporating sterile neutrinos and a QCD axion, explaining fermion hierarchies, neutrino masses, and CP violation while remaining testable by upcoming experiments.

Contribution

It presents a novel, modular-invariant model with a consistent superpotential, explaining fermion hierarchies, neutrino masses, and axion physics within a unified framework.

Findings

Predicts quark Dirac CP phase between 38° and 87°

Favored neutrino Dirac CP phase around 250°

Model compatible with current experimental data

Abstract

We propose a minimal extension of the Standard Model by incorporating sterile neutrinos and a QCD axion to account for the mass and mixing hierarchies of quarks and leptons and to solve the strong CP problem, and by introducing $G_{\rm SM}\times \Gamma_N\times U(1)_X$ symmetry. We demonstrate that the K{\"a}hler transformation corrects the weight of modular forms in the superpotential and show that the model is consistent with the modular and $U(1)_X$ anomaly-free conditions. This enables a simple construction of a modular-independent superpotential for scalar potential. Using minimal supermultiplets, we demonstrate a level 3 modular form-induced superpotential. Sterile neutrinos explain small active neutrino masses via the seesaw mechanism and provide a well-motivated $U(1)_X$ breaking scale, whereas gauge singlet scalar fields play crucial roles in generating the QCD axion, heavy neutrino mass, and fermion mass hierarchy. The model predicts a range for the $U(1)_X$ breaking scale from $10^{13}$ GeV to $10^{15}$ GeV for $1\,\mbox{TeV}< m_{3/2}<10^6\,\mbox{TeV}$. In the supersymmetric limit, all Yukawa coefficients in the superpotential are given by complex numbers with an absolute value of unity, implying a democratic distribution. Performing numerical analysis, we study how model parameters are constrained by current experimental results. In particular, the model predicts that the value of the quark Dirac CP phase falls between $38^\circ$ to $87^\circ$, which is consistent with experimental data, and the favored value of the neutrino Dirac CP phase is around $250^\circ$. Furthermore, the model can be tested by ongoing and future experiments on axion searches, neutrino oscillations, and $0\nu\beta\beta$-decay.