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