Dark scalar doublets and neutrino tribimaximal mixing from A4 symmetry

In the context of A(4) symmetry, neutrino tribimaximal mixing is achieved through the breaking of A(4) to Z(3) (Z(2)) in the charged-lepton (neutrino) sector respectively. The implied vacuum misalignment of the (1, 1, 1) and (1, 0, 0) directions in A(4) space is a difficult technical problem, and cannot be treated without many auxiliary fields and symmetries (and perhaps extra dimensions). It is pointed out here that an alternative scenario exists with A(4) alone and no redundant fields if neutrino masses are "scotogenic",, i.e. radiatively induced by dark scalar doublets as recently proposed. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.