Flavor S_4 times Z_2 symmetry and neutrino mixing

Abstract

We present a model of the lepton masses and flavor mixing based on the discrete group $S_4 \times Z_2$. In this model, all the charged leptons and neutrinos are assigned to the $3_α$ representation of $S_4$ in the Yamanouchi bases. The charged lepton and neutrino masses are mainly determined by the vacuum expectation value structures of the Higgs fields. A nearly tri-bimaximal lepton flavor mixing pattern, which is in agreement with the current experimental results, can be accommodated in our model. The neutrino mass spectrum takes the nearly degenerate pattern, and thus can be well tested in the future precise experiments.