Solving the strong CP problem by a $\bar{\theta}$-characterized mirror symmetry

Abstract

In the standard model QCD Lagrangian, a term of CP violating gluon density is theoretically expected to have a physical coefficient $\bar{\theta}$ of the order of unity. However, the upper bound on the electric dipole moment of neutron enforces the value of $\bar{\theta}$ to be extremely small. Such a huge gap between theoretical expectation and experimental result is commonly known as the strong CP problem. To solve this puzzle in an appealing context of two Higgs doublets, we propose a $\bar{\theta}$-characterized mirror symmetry between two Higgs singlets with respective discrete symmetries. In our scenario, the parameter $\bar{\theta}$ can completely disappear from the full Lagrangian after the standard model fermions take a proper phase rotation as well as the Higgs doublets and singlets. Moreover, all of new physics for solving the strong CP problem can be allowed near the TeV scale. Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. Article funded by SCOAP3 and published under licence by Chinese Physical Society and the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science and the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and IOP Publishing Ltd.