In a previous paper, referred to as a "Mini-Landscape" search, we explored a "fertile patch" of the heterotic landscape based on a Z6-II orbifold with SO(10) and E6 local GUT structures. In the present paper we extend this analysis. We find many models with the minimal supersymmetric standard model spectra and an exact R parity. In all of these models, the vector-like exotics decouple along D flat directions. We present two "benchmark" models which satisfy many of the constraints of a realistic supersymmetric model, including non-trivial Yukawa matrices for 3 families of quarks and leptons and Majorana neutrino masses for right-handed neutrinos with non-trivial See-Saw masses for the 3 light neutrinos. In an appendix we comment on the important issue of string selection rules and in particular the so-called "gamma-rule".
We employ powerful techniques based on Hilbert- and Groebner bases to analyze particle physics models derived from string theory. Individual models are shown to have a huge landscape of vacua that differ in their phenomenological properties. We explore the (discrete) symmetries of these vacua, the new R symmetry selection rules and their consequences for moduli stabilization.
We study the problem of moduli stabilisation in explicit heterotic orbifold compactifications, whose spectra contain the MSSM plus some vector-like exotics that can be decoupled. Considering all the bulk moduli, we obtain the 4D low energy effective action for the compactification, which has contributions from various, computable, perturbative and non-perturbative effects. Hidden sector gaugino condensation and string worldsheet instantons result in a combination of racetrack, KKLT and cusp-form contributions to the superpotential, which lift all the bulk moduli directions. We point out the pr…
Discovering a selection principle and the origin of flavor symmetries from an ultraviolet completion of particle physics is an interesting open task. As a step in this direction, we classify all possible flavor symmetries of 4D massless spectra emerging from supersymmetric Abelian orbifold compactifications, including roto-translations and non-factorizable compact spaces, for generic moduli values. Although these symmetries are valid in all string theories, we focus on the E8 x E8 heterotic string. We perform the widest known search of E8 x E8 Abelian orbifold compactifications, yielding over …
We construct supersymmetric compactifications of E_8 \times E_8 heterotic string theory which realise exactly the massless spectrum of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) at low energies. The starting point is the standard embedding on a Calabi-Yau threefold which has Hodge numbers (h^11,h^21) = (1,4) and fundamental group Z_12, which gives an E_6 grand unified theory with three net chiral generations. The gauge symmetry is then broken to that of the standard model by a combination of discrete Wilson lines and continuous deformation of the gauge bundle. On eight distinct branches …
We consider heterotic E8xE8 supergravity compactified on smooth Calabi-Yau manifolds with line bundle gauge backgrounds. Infinite sets of models that satisfy the Bianchi identities and flux quantization conditions can be constructed by letting their background flux quanta grow without bound. Even though we do not have a general proof, we find that all examples are at the boundary of the theory's validity: the Donaldson-Uhlenbeck-Yau equations, which can be thought of as vanishing D-term conditions, cannot be satisfied inside the Kaehler cone unless a growing number of scalar Vacuum Expectation…
We explore a ``fertile patch'' of the heterotic landscape based on a Z_6-II orbifold with SO(10) and E_6 local GUT structures. We search for models allowing for the exact MSSM spectrum. Our result is that of order 100 out of a total 3\times 10^4 inequivalent models satisfy this requirement.
We complete our search for MSSM vacua in the Z_6-II heterotic orbifold by including models with 3 Wilson lines. We estimate the total number of inequivalent models in this orbifold to be 10^7. Out of these, we find almost 300 models with the exact MSSM spectrum, gauge coupling unification and a heavy top quark. Models with these features originate predominantly from local GUTs. The scale of gaugino condensation in the hidden sector is correlated with properties of the observable sector such that soft masses in the TeV range are preferred.
The matter spectrum of the MSSM, including three right-handed neutrino supermultiplets and one pair of Higgs-Higgs conjugate superfields, can be obtained by compactifying the E_{8} x E_{8} heterotic string and M-theory on Calabi-Yau manifolds with specific SU(4) vector bundles. These theories have the standard model gauge group augmented by an additional gauged U(1)_{B-L}. Their minimal content requires that the B-L gauge symmetry be spontaneously broken by a vacuum expectation value of at least one right-handed sneutrino. In previous papers, we presented the results of a quasi-analytic renorm…
Heterotic orbifolds provide promising constructions of MSSM-like models in string theory. We investigate the connection of such orbifold models with smooth Calabi-Yau compactifications by examining resolutions of the T^6/Z6-II orbifold (which are far from unique) with Abelian gauge fluxes. These gauge backgrounds are topologically characterized by weight vectors of twisted states; one per fixed point or fixed line. The VEV's of these states generate the blowup from the orbifold perspective, and they reappear as axions on the blowup. We explain methods to solve the 24 resolution dependent Bianc…
We construct an MSSM with three generations from the heterotic string compactified on a smooth 6D internal manifold using Abelian gauge fluxes only. The compactification space is obtained as a resolution of the T6/Z2xZ2xZ2-free orbifold. The Z2-free involution of such a resolution breaks the SU(5) GUT group down to the SM gauge group using a suitably chosen (freely acting) Wilson line. Surprisingly, the spectrum on a given resolution is larger than the one on the corresponding orbifold taking into account the branching and Higgsing due to the blow-up modes. The existence of extra resolution st…
We calculate the weak scale MSSM spectrum starting from a heterotic string theory compactified on an anisotropic orbifold. Supersymmetry breaking is mediated by vector-like exotics that arise naturally in heterotic string theories. The messengers that mediate SUSY breaking come in incomplete GUT multiplets and give rise to non-universal gaugino masses at the GUT scale. Models with non-universal gaugino masses at the GUT scale have the attractive feature of allowing for precision gauge coupling unification at the GUT scale with negligible contributions from threshold corrections near the unific…
The strongly coupled heterotic M-theory vacuum for both the observable and hidden sectors of the $B-L$ MSSM theory is reviewed, including a discussion of the "bundle" constraints that both the observable sector $SU(4)$ vector bundle and the a hidden sector bundle induced from a line bundle must satisfy. Gaugino condensation is then introduced within this context, and the hidden sector bundles that exhibit gaugino condensation are presented. The condensation scale is computed, singling out one line bundle whose associated condensation scale is low enough to be compatible with the energy scales …
We investigate orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string, addressing in detail their construction, classification and phenomenological potential. We present a strategy to search for models resembling the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) in Z_6-II orbifold compactifications. We find several MSSM candidates with the gauge group and the exact spectrum of the MSSM, and supersymmetric vacua below the compactification scale. They also exhibit the following realistic features: R-parity, seesaw suppressed neutrino masses, and intermediate scale of supersymmetry br…
The observable sector of the "minimal heterotic standard model" has precisely the matter spectrum of the MSSM: three families of quarks and leptons, each with a right-handed neutrino, and one Higgs-Higgs conjugate pair. In this paper, it is explicitly proven that the SU(4) holomorphic vector bundle leading to the MSSM spectrum in the observable sector is slope-stable.
We introduce a new heterotic Standard Model which has precisely the spectrum of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), with no exotic matter. The observable sector has gauge group SU(3) x SU(2) x U(1). Our model is obtained from a compactification of heterotic strings on a Calabi-Yau threefold with Z_2 fundamental group, coupled with an invariant SU(5) bundle. Depending on the region of moduli space in which the model lies, we obtain a spectrum consisting of the three generations of the Standard Model, augmented by 0, 1 or 2 Higgs doublet conjugate pairs. In particular, we get the f…
The most promising MSSM candidates of the heterotic string reveal some distinctive properties. These include gauge-top unification, a specific solution to the mu-problem and mirage pattern for the gaugino masses. The location of the top- and the Higgs-multiplets in extra dimensions differs significantly from that of the other quarks and leptons leading to a characteristic signature of suppressed soft breaking terms, reminiscent of a scheme known as natural supersymmetry.
For the weakly coupled heterotic string (WCHS) there is a well-known factor of twenty conflict between the minimum string coupling unification scale, Lambda_H ~5x10^(17) GeV, and the projected MSSM unification scale, Lambda_U ~ 2.5x10^(16) GeV, assuming an intermediate scale desert (ISD). Renormalization effects of intermediate scale MSSM-charged exotics (ISME) (endemic to quasi-realistic string models) can resolve this issue, pushing the MSSM scale up to the string scale. However, for a generic string model, this implies that the projected Lambda_U unification under ISD is accidental. If the …
The compactification of the heterotic string on six-dimensional orbifolds is reviewed. Some important technical aspects of their construction are clarified and new parameters, called generalized discrete torsion, are introduced and related to the torsionless construction. Furthermore, a systematic search for MSSM-like models is performed in the context of Z6-II orbifolds, addressing questions like the identification of a supersymmetric vacuum with a naturally small mu-term and proton decay. Finally, the blow-up of Z3 singularities is discussed in the local and in the global case - also in the …
The MSSM candidates arising from the heterotic MiniLandscape feature a very constrained supersymmetry breaking pattern. This includes a fully predictable gaugino mass pattern, which is compressed compared to the CMSSM, and an inverted sfermion hierarchy due to distinct geometric localisation, featuring stops as light as 1 TeV. The observed Higgs mass sets a lower bound m_{gluino} > 1.2 TeV on the gluino mass. The electroweak fine-tuning is reduced by a UV relation between the scalar mass of the two heavy families and the gluino mass. While large parts of the favoured parameter space escape det…
We study the possibility of constructing the NMSSM from the heterotic string. String derived NMSSMs are much more rare than MSSMs due to the extra requirement that there exist a light singlet which couples to the Higgs pairs. They share the common feature that the singlet self-interactions are typically suppressed, leading to either the "decoupling" or the Peccei-Quinn limit of the NMSSM. In the latter case, the spectrum contains a light pseudoscalar which may be relevant to the MSSM fine-tuning problem. We provide a Z_6 heterotic orbifold example of the NMSSM with approximate Peccei-Quinn sym…
We apply techniques from data mining to the heterotic orbifold landscape in order to identify new MSSM-like string models. To do so, so-called contrast patterns are uncovered that help to distinguish between areas in the landscape that contain MSSM-like models and the rest of the landscape. First, we develop these patterns in the well-known $\mathbb{Z}_6$-II orbifold geometry and then we generalize them to all other $\mathbb{Z}_N$ orbifold geometries. Our contrast patterns have a clear physical interpretation and are easy to check for a given string model. Hence, they can be used to scale down…
Heterotic orbifold models are promising candidates for models with MSSM like spectra. But orbifolds only correspond to a special place in moduli space, the bigger picture is described by the moduli space of Calabi-Yau spaces. In this talk we will make explicit connections between both points of view. To this end we study blowups of orbifold singularities using both explicit constructions and toric geometry techniques. We show that matching of all orbifold models in blowups are possible.
In a recent $\Z_{12-I}$ orbifold model, an approximate $Z_2$ symmetry which forbids the baryon number violating operators up to sufficiently high orders is found. The dimension-4 $ΔB\ne 0$ operators of the MSSM fields occur at dimension 10. The effective dimension-5 $ΔB\ne 0$ operators derived from these are harmless if some VEVs of neutral singlets are O(1/10) times the string scale. The main reason for forbidding these $ΔB\ne 0$ operators up to such a high order is the large order N=12 of $\Z_N$ since the $H$-momentum rule is $(-1,1,1)$ mod (12, 3, 12). For a lower order $N<12$, the $ΔB\ne 0…
We discuss recent developments on the solution of the so-called supersymmetric mu-problem in the context of heterotic orbifolds. In particular, an approximate R symmetry can induce an admissible mu-term in Minkowski vacua of orbifold models with the MSSM spectrum. A natural solution to the mu-problem is also offered by explicit string-derived NMSSMs. These models help avoid the fine-tuning of the MSSM.
Working within the context of the strongly coupled $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic string theory, we analyze the $B-L$ MSSM, a realistic supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model, from both a low-energy phenomenology and high-energy string perspective. From a formal point of view, we examine different constructions of string vacua, which satisfy a series of theoretical and phenomenological constraints. Such vacua configurations are anomaly-free, preserve $N = 1$ SUSY at the compactification scale and yield the correct value for the $SO(10)$ unification scale and gauge coupling in the visible pa…
In this paper, we present a formalism for computing the Yukawa couplings in heterotic standard models. This is accomplished by calculating the relevant triple products of cohomology groups, leading to terms proportional to Q*H*u, Q*Hbar*d, L*H*nu and L*Hbar*e in the low energy superpotential. These interactions are subject to two very restrictive selection rules arising from the geometry of the Calabi-Yau manifold. We apply our formalism to the "minimal" heterotic standard model whose observable sector matter spectrum is exactly that of the MSSM. The non-vanishing Yukawa interactions are expli…
We present a vacuum of heterotic M-theory whose observable sector has the MSSM spectrum with the addition of one extra pair of Higgs-Higgs conjugate superfields. The quarks/leptons have a realistic mass hierarchy with a naturally light first family. The double elliptic structure of the Calabi-Yau compactification threefold leads to two ``stringy'' selection rules. These classically disallow Yukawa couplings to the second Higgs pair and, hence, Higgs mediated flavor-changing neutral currents. Such currents are induced in higher-dimensional interactions, but are naturally suppressed. We show tha…
In heterotic string theories consistency requires the introduction of a non-trivial vector bundle. This bundle breaks the original ten-dimensional gauge groups $\text{E}_8\times\text{E}_8$ or $\text{SO}(32)$ for the supersymmetric heterotic string theories and $\text{SO}(16) \times \text{SO}(16)$ for the non-supersymmetric tachyon-free theory to smaller subgroups. A vast number of MSSM-like models have been constructed up to now, most of which describe the vector bundle as a sum of line bundles. However, there are several different ways of describing these line bundles and their embedding in t…
The emergence of free fermionic string models with solely the MSSM charged spectrum below the string scale provides further evidence to the assertion that the true string vacuum is connected to the Z_2 x Z_2 orbifold in the vicinity of the free fermionic point in the Narain moduli space. An important property of the Z_2 x Z_2 orbifold is the cyclic permutation symmetry between the three twisted sectors. If preserved in the three generations models the cyclic permutation symmetry results in a family universal anomalous U(1)_A, which is instrumental in explaining squark degeneracy, provided that…
A compactification of the E_8 x E_8 heterotic string on a Z_2 x Z_2 orbifold equipped with an additional freely acting involution is presented. This model reproduces the exact chiral MSSM spectrum with matter parity and a non-trivial Yukawa structure. The key ingredient is a freely acting Wilson line associated to the involution, breaking SU(5) to SU(3) x SU(2) x U(1)_Y. This work is based on a talk given at the "9th Hellenic School and Workshop on Elementary Particle Physics and Gravity" and reviews the results of a collaboration with M. Blaszczyk, S. Groot Nibbelink, M. Ratz, F. Ruehle and M…
In this talk, given at Corfu 2022 Workshop on the Standard Model and Beyond, I present work in collaboration with Junichiro Kawamura,Ref.~[arXiv:2212.00840]. The talk is also based on a number of papers on a Global $SU(5)$ F-theory GUT in collaboration with Herb Clemens. In the model $SU(5)$ is broken to the MSSM via a Wilson line. This is accomplished (without problems with vector-like exotics) by simultaneously describing the F-theory model and its Heterotic dual. The model has a twin MSSM sector and it's the neutrino sector of the field I consider in the talk.
The constraints imposed on heterotic compactifications by global consistency and phenomenology seem to be very finely balanced. We show that weakening these constraints, as was proposed in some recent works, is likely to lead to frivolous results. In particular, we construct an infinite set of such frivolous models having precisely the massless spectrum of the MSSM and other quasi-realistic features. Only one model in this infinite collection (the one constructed in arXiv:hep-th/0512149) is globally consistent and supersymmetric. The others might be interpreted as being anomalous, or as non-su…
This paper summarizes several developments in string-derived (Minimal Supersymmetric) Standard Models. Part one reviews the first string model containing solely the three generations of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and a single pair of Higgs as the matter in the observable sector of the low energy effective field theory. This model was constructed by Cleaver, Faraggi, and Nanopoulos in the Z_2 x Z_2 free fermionic formulation of weak coupled heterotic strings. Part two examines a representative collection of string/brane-derived MSSMs that followed. These additional models were ob…
We consider the key ingredients which made the Z_6II Mini-Landscape a successful ground for model building. There one observes a preferred distribution for the fields of the standard model which has direct implications on the phenomenology, since it favors a heavy top quark and a plausible solution to the $μ$-problem. We extend the exploration to the Z_2xZ_4 orbifold, where a similar pattern is identified. To illustrate our findings we present an explicit Z_2xZ_4 model that exhibits the MSSM spectrum plus vector-like exotics at the orbifold point. We take this construction as an example of a l…
The strategy for assigning $Z_{4R}$ parity in the string compactification is presented. For the visible sector, an anti-SU(5) (flipped-SU(5)) grand unification (GUT) model with three families is used to reduce the number of representations compared to the number in the minimal supersymmetric standard models (MSSMs). The SO(32) heterotic string is used to allow a large nonabelian gauge group SU($N$), $N\ge 9$, for the hidden sector such that the number of extra U(1) factors is small. A discrete subgroup of the gauge U(1)'s is defined as the $Z_{4R}$ parity. Spontaneous symmetry breaking of anti…
We present a Z_2 x Z_2 orbifold compactification of the E_8 x E_8 heterotic string which gives rise to the exact chiral MSSM spectrum. The GUT breaking SU(5) to SU(3)_C x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y is realized by modding out a freely acting symmetry. This ensures precision gauge coupling unification. Further, it allows us to break the GUT group without switching on flux in hypercharge direction, such that the standard model gauge bosons can remain massless when the orbifold singularities are blown up. The model has vacuum configurations with matter parity, a large top Yukawa coupling and other phenomeno…
We study two phases of a heterotic standard model, obtained from a Calabi-Yau compactification of the E8xE8 heterotic string, in the context of the associated four-dimensional effective theories. In the first phase we have a standard model gauge group, an MSSM spectrum, four additional U(1) symmetries and singlet fields. In the second phase, obtained from the first by continuing along the singlet directions, three of the additional U(1) symmetries are spontaneously broken and the remaining one is a B-L symmetry. In this second phase, dimension five operators inducing proton decay are consisten…
