We present a comprehensive bottom-up analysis of lepton mass and mixing based on the non-holomorphic $A_{4}$ modular symmetry. Neutrinos are assumed to be Majorana particles, and the light neutrino masses are generated through the Weinberg operator. In this framework, we construct all phenomenologically viable models with minimal number of free parameters, with the Yukawa couplings expressed in terms of polyharmonic Maaß forms of weights $\pm4$ , $\pm2$ , and 0 at level $N=3$ . Without imposing generalized CP (gCP) symmetry, we identify 147 (six) viable models with eight real free parameters that successfully reproduce the current experimental data of the lepton sector for the normal (inverted) mass ordering. When gCP symmetry consistent with $A_{4}$ modular symmetry is included, the number of free parameters is reduced by one, yielding 47 (five) phenomenologically viable models in the normal (inverted) mass ordering. Finally, we present detailed numerical analyses of a representative model for both mass orderings to illustrate these results.

China

Xiang-Yan Gao

Cai-Chang Li

Minimal lepton models with non-holomorphic modular $\textit{A}$ $_{4}$ symmetry * Supported by Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi (2024JC-YBQN-0004) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12547106, 12247103)

The Schwinger effect, a non-perturbative mechanism for particle production in strong fields, plays a crucial role in understanding quantum vacuum decay and high-energy phenomena, including heavy-ion collisions (HIC). Although holographic quantum chromodynamics (QCD) models have been widely used to study this effect, most treatments assume isotropy or consider only a single type of anisotropy, neglecting the interplay between spatial and magnetic anisotropies that arise in realistic HIC scenarios. A unified framework accounting for both anisotropies is needed to accurately model particle production. We investigate the Schwinger effect in a twice anisotropic holographic QCD model incorporating both spatial and magnetic anisotropies. Using the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence, we compute the total potential of a particle-antiparticle pair to quantify how these anisotropies influence pair production. Our results show that the magnetic field (parameterized by $c_B$ and $q_3$ ) enhances the Schwinger effect by lowering and narrowing the potential barrier, while increasing spatial anisotropy (controlled by $\nu$ ) suppresses the process by raising and widening the barrier. These findings demonstrate that magnetic and spatial anisotropies exert competing effects on particle production, emphasizing the necessity of treating both concurrently in holographic models. This work advances the theoretical description of the Schwinger effect in anisotropic environments, with implications for understanding non-equilibrium dynamics in HIC and other strongly coupled systems.

Wen-Bin Chang

Defu Hou

Schwinger effect in a twice anisotropic holographic model * Defu Hou's research is supported in part by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFA1604900). Additionally, Defu Hou receives partial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (12435009, 12275104). Wen-Bin Chang is supported by the Ph.D. Research Startup Project at Hubei Minzu University (RZ2500000857)

We employed the chiral unitarity approach to investigate the decay process <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi mathvariant="normal">Ξ</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">Σ</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math>, by considering that the low lying nucleon resonance <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi mathvariant="normal">Ξ</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><msup><mn>2</mn><mo>−</mo></msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> and the low lying scalar meson <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>f</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> that could be dynamically generated through the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>S</mi></math>-wave pseudoscalar meson-octet baryon and the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>S</mi></math>-wave pseudoscalar-meson–pseudoscalar-meson interactions, respectively. In the invariant mass distributions of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">Σ</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math>, we observe a distinct peak structure associated with the resonant state <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi mathvariant="normal">Ξ</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><msup><mn>2</mn><mo>−</mo></msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> and a bit enhancement near the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math> threshold that is corresponding to the mesons <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>f</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math>, respectively. Consequently, we recommend more precise experimental measurements of this process in the future.

Ruitian Li

Xuan Luo

Hao Sun

Theoretical study of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>f</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>980</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi mathvariant="normal">Ξ</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><msup><mn>2</mn><mo>−</mo></msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> in the process <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi mathvariant="normal">Ξ</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">Σ</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>K</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math>

We investigate the influence of boundary terms in gravitational field theories, by considering that in the Einstein–Hilbert action the boundary can be described by a non-metric Weyl-type geometry. The gravitational action and the the field equations, are thus generalized to include new geometrical terms, coming from the non-metric nature of the boundary, and depending on the Weyl vector, and its covariant derivatives. The field equations obtained within this framework generalize the standard Einstein equations by including in their mathematical structure the Weyl vector, and its covariant derivatives. As an applications of the general formalism we investigate the cosmological evolution in a flat FLRW geometry. We obtain the generalized Friedmann equations, which contain extra terms depending on the Weyl vector and its derivatives, arising due to the presence of the Weylian boundary, and which describe an effective, time dependent dark energy. By imposing to the dark energy an equation of state parameter of the Barboza–Alcaniz type, the Friedmann equations can be solved numerically. We compare the predictions of the Weylian boundary gravitational theory with late-time observational data and the predictions of the $$\Lambda $$ CDM paradigm. Our results show that the Weylian boundary cosmological models give a good description of the observational data, and they can reproduce almost exactly the predictions of the $$\Lambda $$ CDM paradigm. Hence, the extension of gravitational theories through the addition of Weylian boundary terms, in which dark energy has a purely geometric origin, emerges as a viable alternative to standard general relativity.

Romania

Tiberiu Harko

Iran

Shahab Shahidi

Dark energy and accelerating cosmological evolution in a Universe with a Weylian boundary

The parity solution to the strong CP problem necessarily extends the Standard Model to include the SU(2) gauge sector and imposes restrictions on the structure of the Yukawa interactions. In this framework, one can consider an appealing structure of the neutrino sector in which the smallness of the neutrino masses is naturally explained, while lepton number symmetry is substantially violated at the TeV scale. Observation of distinctive lepton number violating signals at collider experiments can therefore be expected, since the rates are not suppressed by the small neutrino masses. We study the constraints from neutrinoless double beta decay and discuss the prospects for discovering new TeV-scale particles, such as the $\textit{W′}$ boson of SU(2) , via lepton number violating processes at a $\textit{μ}$ $\textit{μ}$ collider, $\textit{μ}$ $\textit{μ}$ → $\textit{W}$ $\textit{W′}$ . A $\textit{μ}$ $\textit{μ}$ collider with a center-of-mass energy of 10 TeV can probe the $\textit{W′}$ boson mass up to about 10 TeV through on-shell production, and the reach can extend to 16 TeV by studying processes involving off-shell $\textit{W′}$ boson.

United States

Japan

Keisuke Harigaya

Ryuichiro Kitano

Ryoto Takai

Lepton number violating signals of a parity symmetric model at $\textit{μ}$TRISTAN

We extend the systematic construction of bosonic DDF operators to the light-like linear dilaton background to investigate how higher-spin string states behave beyond flat spacetime. Using previous results, we show that the spectrum-generating algebra is isomorphic to the flat spacetime case up to a few subtleties. This extension provides a controlled setting to explore higher-spin massive string interactions in a nontrivial yet exactly solvable string background. Most of the derivations lead to expressions very similar to those in the flat background, with the expected modifications appearing quite naturally in the spectrum and the deformed momentum-(non)conserving delta function.

Italy

Dripto Biswas

The spectrum-generating algebra for bosonic strings in a linear dilaton background

This work studies the relativistic quantum dynamics of scalar bosons in a spacetime containing both a cosmic string and a global monopole within the framework of Rainbow Gravity. An effective metric is constructed to describe the combined topological defects together with the energy-dependent deformation of spacetime. The Klein–Gordon equation is formulated in this background, including scalar, vector, and nonminimal couplings, and its solutions are obtained by separation of variables. Generalized Coulomb-type interactions are considered, allowing a unified analysis of scattering and bound states. The bound-state spectrum is determined from the poles of the corresponding $\textit{S}$-matrix. Two specific choices of rainbow functions are examined, and their influence on the energy spectrum is analyzed through numerical calculations and, in suitable limits, analytical approximations. The results show how the interplay between topological defects and rainbow gravity corrections affects the spectral properties of scalar bosons, while known results are consistently recovered in appropriate limits.

Brazil

L. Barbosa

J. Zamperlini

L. Santos

Scalar bosons with Coulomb potentials in a space with dual topological defects in rainbow gravity

We show that the infrared phases of certain line defects in 2+1d quantum field theories are determined by anomalies, including anomalies in the space of defect coupling constants, together with a symmetry-refined corollary of the $\textit{g}$-theorem.

Zohar Komargodski

Fedor Popov

Brandon Rayhaun

Defect anomalies, a spin-flux duality, and Boson-Kondo problems

We present a systematic analysis of Bell nonlocality and entanglement in <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>χ</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>J</mi></mrow></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>J</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>2</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow></math> decays into a baryon pair (<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>B</mi><mover accent="true"><mi>B</mi><mo stretchy="false">¯</mo></mover></math>), with particular emphasis on their production via the process <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi>e</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>e</mi><mo>−</mo></msup><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><mi>ψ</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>S</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><mi>γ</mi><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>J</mi></mrow></msub></math> at BESIII. From the baryon-antibaryon spin density matrix, we construct measurable Bell observables and concurrence, revealing a striking hierarchy of quantum correlations: <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mn>0</mn></mrow></msub></math> decays exhibit maximal violation and entanglement; <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub></math> decays violate Bell inequalities for <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>θ</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>∈</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>,</mo><mi>π</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> with angle-modulated strength; we find that the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>B</mi><mover accent="true"><mi>B</mi><mo stretchy="false">¯</mo></mover></math> pair in <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math> decays is in a separable state, and no indication of Bell inequality violation is observed. We provide complete analytical results for <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>J</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></math>, 1 and quantitative, uncertainty-aware estimations for <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>J</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn></math> based on experimental inputs from BESIII. These results establish the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>J</mi></mrow></msub></math> system produced via this radiative transition as a novel and promising platform for testing quantum entanglement and Bell nonlocality in high-energy collisions.

Peng-Cheng Hong

Rong-Gang Ping

Wei-Min Song

Bell nonlocality and entanglement in <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>χ</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>J</mi></mrow></msub></math> decays into a baryon pair

Jet quenching—the modification of high-energy jets in the quark-gluon plasma—has been extensively studied through weakly coupled scattering amplitudes embedded in parton-shower frameworks. These models, often combined with bulk hydrodynamic evolution, successfully describe a wide range of observables, though they typically rely on assumptions of rapid thermalization and simplified treatments of medium response. Parallel to these developments, jet thermalization has been investigated within the finite-temperature QCD effective kinetic theory, which provides our best microscopic understanding of equilibration in heavy-ion collisions. Early studies of linearized perturbations have highlighted both the promise and the limitations of current approaches, as existing MC implementations face challenges—particularly in the treatment of recoils and particle merging. Building on this foundation, we introduce a new parton-shower algorithm that exactly reproduces the dynamics of the linearized effective kinetic theory, enabling a first-principles description of jet thermalization with proper inclusion of recoils, holes, quantum statistics, and merging processes.

Ismail Soudi

Adam Takacs

Deriving a parton shower for jet thermalization in QCD plasmas