Probing scalar-mediated sterile neutrinos with gravitational wave and colliders signals

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Authors: Qi Bi, Jinhui Guo, Jian Liao, Jia Liu, Xiao-Ping Wang
Cited by: 1
References: 125

Abstract

We propose a UV-complete extension of the Standard Model in which a gauge-singlet scalar S acquires a vacuum expectation value, generates a Majorana mass for a sterile neutrino N , and mixes with the Higgs field. This framework addresses neutrino masses via a seesaw mechanism and, for sufficiently large scalar mixing, can also drive a strong first-order electroweak phase transition, producing gravitational-wave (GW) signals potentially detectable by GW observatories. The Higgs– S mixing also enhances sterile-neutrino pair production at colliders through s -channel exchange of the Higgs and S . Owing to the small active–sterile mixing angle, N is generically long-lived, yielding characteristic displaced-vertex signatures. The combination of GW observations and displaced-vertex searches at colliders provides complementary cross-checks of the model parameter space.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neutrino Physics Research Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
113
Issue
9
Publication date
30 March 2026
Language
EN