Abstract
Zero modes of massive standard model fermions have been found on electroweak Z strings. A zero mode solution for a massless left-handed neutrino is also known, but was thought to be non-normalizable. Here we show that although this mode is not discretely normalizable, it is delta-function normalizable and the correct interpretation of this solution is within the framework of the continuum spectrum. We also analyze an extension of the standard model including right-handed neutrinos in which neutrinos have Dirac masses, arising from a Yukawa coupling to the usual SU(2) Higgs doublet, and right-handed Majorana masses. The Majorana mass terms are taken to be spatially homogeneous and are presumed to arise from the vacuum expectation value of some field acquired in a phase transition well above the electroweak phase transition. The resulting zero energy equations have a discrete zero mode.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 085011 |
Journal | Physical Review D |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)