Master Thesis Presentation: Annick van Akker

Master Thesis presentation: Annick van Akker

Title:
"Symmetry Breaking in Grand Unified and Flavour Theories: A Systematic Study of SO(10) Subalgebras and A4 Emergence from SU(3)"


Abstract:
Symmetry breaking in Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) is governed by the structure of subalgebras of the Lie algebra of the unified gauge group and the Vacuum Expectation Values (VEVs) that realise specific breaking chains. This thesis develops a systematic framework for understanding such breaking patterns, classifying the regular and special subalgebras of the SO(10) Lie algebra and determining the corresponding VEV textures. Next, we consider discrete symmetries emerging from the breaking of global continuous symmetry groups, focusing on A4 ⊂ SU(3), motivated by the role of A4 in explaining neutrino mixing structures. We demonstrate that specific VEVs in SU (3) representations break the symmetry to A4. We discover that the order of the application of these VEVs matters. The methods and frameworks obtained here provide practical tools for constructing and justifying symmetry-breaking patterns in beyond-the-Standard-Model physics.