Neutrino masses from loop-induced d ≥ 7 operators

We propose a new scenario where neutrino masses are generated via operators with the mass dimension higher than five, which are induced at the loop level. The scenario is demonstrated with concrete models where neutrino masses are generated via a one-loop dimension-seven operator which is induced through TeV scale dynamics under the exact Z(2) symmetry. Tiny neutrino masses are naturally induced from the TeV scale dynamics without introducing any artificial assumption on magnitudes of coupling constants. The combination of one-loop factor 1/(4 pi)(2) and the factor of the ratio (nu/Lambda)(2) between the electroweak scale nu and new physics scale Lambda provides sufficient suppression as compared to the model based on the dimension-five operator induced at the tree level. The reproduction of the data for neutrino masses and mixings are discussed under the constraint from experiments for lepton flavour violation. We also mention phenomenological implications at collider experiments and dark matter candidates. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.