Conference

We discuss the impact of quantum gravity fluctuations on a scalar mass. In case that the scalar mass becomes irrelevant above the Planck scale, there could be solutions to the gauge hierarchy problem. In this talk, we consider the so-called classically scale invariant extension of the standard model, where non-abelian scalar-gauge theory in a dark sector is introduced to explain the origin of the electroweak scale. We discuss its phenomenological implications towards probing new physics.

An increasing number of researchers are considering the possibility that the Standard Model, appropriately extended, can attain an interacting ultraviolet fixed point. Such a theory could, in the Wilsonian sense, be regarded as a fundamental theory. I will describe recent work that shows this goal is attainable in principle by adding gauged vector-like fermions to the Standard Model, in the limit of a large number of fermion fields. With this proof-of-principle demonstration, the challenge now to find realistic asymptotically safe extensions of the Standard Model with interesting and falsifiable phenomenological signatures

I will present constraints from central charges and gradient flow relations on UV and IR interacting fixed points under perturbative control. It is possible to extend this methodology beyond perturbation theory for supersymmetric theories where the central charges are calculated to all orders. In this case, these constraints draw a complex map of possible RG flows, some of them compatible with Asymptotic Safety. Examples of such SUSY theories are discussed

Including a large number of vector-like fermions can be used to generate fixed points for the RG flows of gauge theories. Recently this has been used as a foundation for constructing UV safe models. The talk will focus on the machinery behind the large N_f computations extended to generic gauge-Yukawa theories. For semi-simple gauge theories the phase diagram shows the persistence that the UV fixed point of simple gauge theories.

The nature of dark matter is one of the outstanding riddles of fundamental physics. Here, I will discuss first steps to explore dark matter in the asymptotic safety paradigm. As a first example, I will show indications for an asymptotically safe fixed point in the Higgs portal to fermionic dark matter, leading to a relation between the Higgs portal coupling and the dark matter mass. This model also serves as an example for different mechanisms that generate asymptotic safety. I will then review some properties of an extended Higgs sector under the coupling to asymptotically safe quantum gravity and discuss how quantum gravity fluctuations flatten the Higgs potential and thus lead to a decoupling of scalar singlets which are subject to experimental searches for dark matter.