Phenomenology of keV sterile neutrino in minimal extended seesaw

Abstract

We explore the possibility of a single generation of keV scale sterile neutrino [Formula: see text] as a dark matter candidate within the minimal extended seesaw (MES) framework and its influence in neutrinoless double beta decay [Formula: see text] study. Three hierarchical right-handed neutrinos were considered to explain neutrino mass. We also address baryogenesis via the mechanism of thermal leptogenesis considering the decay of the lightest RH neutrino to a lepton and Higgs doublet. A generic model based on [Formula: see text] flavor symmetry is constructed to explain both normal and inverted hierarchy mass pattern of neutrinos. Significant results on effective neutrino masses are observed in presence of sterile mass [Formula: see text] and active-sterile mixing [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. Results from [Formula: see text] give stringent upper bounds on the active-sterile mixing matrix element. To establish sterile neutrino as dark matter within this model, we checked decay width and relic abundance of the sterile neutrino, which restricted sterile mass [Formula: see text] within some definite bounds. Constrained regions on the CP phases and Yukawa couplings are obtained from [Formula: see text] and baryogenesis results. Co-relations among these observable are also established and discussed within this framework.