Cross section for scattering of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos

In summary, the conversation discusses a calculation needed for a diploma thesis that reproduces the results from a paper on two-body scattering processes involving a right-handed Majorana neutrino, SM lepton and Higgs doublet, and SU(2) or U(1) gauge bosons in the early universe. The issue is that the s-channel contribution of two of the processes leads to a negative result, but when using crossing, the result matches the paper. The question is whether there are any special considerations or "contact terms" that need to be taken into account. The author hopes to include these processes in their thesis and is seeking guidance.
  • #1
denis.besak@gmx.de
For my diploma thesis I must provide a calculation that reproduces the
results given on page 46 of the paper hep-ph/0309342 . For those who do
not want to look it up, I briefly explain what it is about: It concerns
the two-body scattering processes

(1) N + V => L + H,
(2) N + L => V + H,
(3) N + H => V + L

where N denotes a right-handed Majorana neutrino, L and H are the SM
lepton and Higgs doublet and V represents either a SU(2) or U(1) gauge
boson. The processes are considered in the early universe, where
SU(2)xU(1) is unbroken and L and V are massless (but N is not). The
Higgs mass is also neglected since m_H << m_N, but this is of minor
importance here. The Majorana neutrino has a Yukawa coupling to the
lepton and Higgs doublet but does not couple to the gauge bosons. (See
Feynman diagrams in the paper.)
The problem is, that not only am I unable to reproduce the result given
for (2) and (3), but the result I get makes no sense. When I calculate
just the s-channel contribution |M_s|^2, then the result is negative!
With process (1), which occurs only in the t-channel and u-channel,
there is no problem, but for both (2) and (3) which have an s-channel
contribution I get a negative amplitude squared. To make it even
stranger-if I start from (1) and use crossing to obtain the result for
(3), I get the same as the author of the paper does. But still, there
must be something wrong since the direct calculation fails.

My question is now: Is there anything special about these diagrams,
some peculiarity that I most likely have not taken into account? My
supervisor told me some stories that the diagrams might violate the
Ward identity and I should try to add something which he called
"contact terms", but he was unable to explain me properly, what this
means. In the literature, I have not found any example where anything
like that happens. I rather assume it could be connected to the
polarization sums for the gauge bosons which maybe contain something
special here. I used the same formula as for the photons (remember that
the SU(2) gauge bosons are also massless in this case!), maybe this is
wrong? But it works for process (1), this really confuses me...

I hope someone can give me a hint what could be going on here, since it
would be a pity to leave this part out. Few people have considered
these processes and I would like to include their effect in my thesis.

Thanks in advance,
Denis Besak
 
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  • #2
Is there really no one who could give me a hint? :-(
 
  • #3
denis.besak@gmx.de wrote:
> When I calculate just the s-channel contribution |M_s|^2, then the
> result is negative!


Can you explain in more detail how do you calculate it?Squark
 

What is the significance of the cross section for scattering of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos?

The cross section for scattering is a measure of the likelihood of interaction between particles. In the context of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos, it allows us to understand the strength of their interactions and how they contribute to the fundamental forces of nature.

How is the cross section for scattering of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos calculated?

The cross section is calculated using theoretical models and experimental data. The theoretical models take into account the properties of the particles involved, such as their mass and charge, and the strength of their interactions. The experimental data is obtained through particle colliders and other high-energy experiments.

What factors affect the cross section for scattering of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos?

The cross section is affected by a number of factors, including the energy and momentum of the particles involved, the angle at which they interact, and the masses of the particles. In addition, the nature of the interaction, whether it is mediated by a gauge boson or a Majorana neutrino, also plays a role.

What can the cross section for scattering tell us about the properties of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos?

The cross section can provide valuable information about the properties of these particles, such as their masses and interactions with other particles. By studying how the cross section changes with different factors, we can gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces and particles that govern the universe.

How does the cross section for scattering of gauge bosons and Majorana neutrinos contribute to our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics?

The cross section is a crucial aspect of the Standard Model, as it allows us to test and validate the predictions of the model. By comparing the calculated cross section with experimental data, we can confirm or refine our understanding of the fundamental particles and their interactions as described by the Standard Model.

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