We consider 5-dimensional supersymmetric field theories where supersymmetry is broken by the Scherk-Schwarz mechanism (or, equivalently, by the F-term VEV of the radion). In such models, the radion effective potential is calculable in terms of the 5d gauge coupling, the UV cutoff of the 5d field theory, and the field content. We provide simple, explicit formulae for the leading part of the two-loop effective potential. Our analysis applies in particular to 5d orbifold GUTs motivated by heterotic orbifold models. We focus on potentially realistic models of this type and make the additional assumption that the UV cutoff scale is identical with the strong-coupling scale of the 5d gauge theory. Given our stabilization mechanism, the 5d radius is now fixed in terms of the 5d gauge coupling and the field content of the model. This implies a prediction for the effective 4d gauge coupling only in terms of the field content of the model. Given the `micro-landscape' provided by the different possible distributions of Standard Model fields between bulk and branes, we find a subset of models with a realistic unified gauge coupling. We also discuss two possibilities for the `uplifting' of our SUSY-breaking AdS vacua: One is based on the possible presence of a weak warping, the other appeals to F-terms in an extra brane-localized SUSY-breaking sector.
We discuss Kaluza-Klein (KK) decomposition in 5-dimensional (5D) field theories with orbifold compactification. Kinetic terms localized at orbifold fixed points, which are inevitably present in any realistic model, modify the standard KK mass spectrum and interactions of KK modes. This, in turn, can significantly affect phenomenology of the orbifold models. As an example, we discuss gauge coupling unification in N=1 supersymmetric 5D orbifold SU(5) model. We have found that uncertainties in the predictions of the model related to modification of the KK masses are large and essentially uncontro…
A manifestly gauge invariant formulation of 5-dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories in terms of 4d superfields is derived. It relies on a supersymmetry and gauge-covariant derivative operator in the $x^5$ direction. This formulation allows for a systematic study of higher-derivative operators by combining invariant 4d superfield expressions under the additional restriction of 5d Lorentz symmetry. In cases where the 5d theory is compactified on a gauge-symmetry-breaking orbifold, the formalism can be used for a simple discussion of possible brane operators invariant under the restricte…
We discuss how to calculate Yukawa couplings in string-derived orbifold GUTs. As an application we investigate the quark mass hierarchies in these models. An interplay of different mechanisms derived from string theory leads to an interesting pattern. We discuss concrete examples in the context of heterotic orbifold compactifications.
We study in detail the structure of Grand Unified Theories derived as the low-energy limit of orbifold four-dimensional strings. To this aim, new techniques for building level-two symmetric orbifold theories are presented. New classes of GUTs in the context of symmetric orbifolds are then constructed. The method of permutation modding is further explored and SO(10) GUTs with both $45$ or $54$-plets are obtained. SU(5) models are also found through this method. It is shown that, in the context of symmetric orbifold $SO(10)$ GUTs, only a single GUT-Higgs, either a $54$ or a $45$, can be present …
The possibility of appearance of GUT precursors near the TeV scale (suggested by Dienes-Dudas-Gherghetta) is addressed within 5D GUTs compactified on an $S^{(1)}/Z_2\tm Z_2'$ orbifold. For a low compactification scale (large radius), there is a significant non universal logarithmic contribution in the relative running of gauge couplings. This within 5D SU(5), with the minimal field content, gives wrong prediction for $\al_3(M_Z)$ unless one goes beyond the minimal setting. The realization of the light precursors' idea thus requires some specific extensions. As a scenario alternative to SU(5) w…
Motivated by the simplicity and direct phenomenological applicability of field-theoretic orbifold constructions in the context of grand unification, we set out to survey the immensely rich group-theoretical possibilities open to this type of model building. In particular, we show how every maximal-rank, regular subgroup of a simple Lie group can be obtained by orbifolding and determine under which conditions rank reduction is possible. We investigate how standard model matter can arise from the higher-dimensional SUSY gauge multiplet. New model building options arise if, giving up the global o…
We propose a class of E6-based local orbifold Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) which yield an exceptional supersymmetric standard model as their low energy theory including leptoquark and unhiggs exotics and a Z' at the TeV scale. Unification is achieved in two steps through an intermediate scale symmetry breaking.
E6 grand unification combines the Standard Model matter and Higgs states in the single 27 representation. I discuss how the E6 structure underlies the quasi-realistic free fermion heterotic-string models. E6 -> SO(10) X U(1) breaking is obtained by a GSO phase in the N=1 partition function. The equivalence of this symmetry breaking phase with a particular choice of a boundary condition basis vector, which is used in the quasi-realistic models, is demonstrated in several cases. As a result matter states in the spinorial 16 representation of SO(10) arise from the twisted sectors, whereas the Hig…
We discuss the variation of gauge couplings in time in the framework of orbifold constructions, due to a change of the extra compact dimension's size. Models with gauge coupling unification allow to estimate the variation of the strong coupling constant $\al_3$ and to relate it to a variation of $α_{em}$. The extra-dimensional construction turns out to be crucial for the model to be compatible with data. Within the presented 5D scenarios, the tower of KK states significantly affects gauge coupling running, leads to low scale unification, and provides a suppression of the $\al_3(M_Z)$ variation…
We point out that the null results of the hadronic electric dipole moment (EDM) searches constrain orbifold grand unified theories (GUTs), where the GUT symmetry and supersymmetry (SUSY) are both broken by boundary conditions in extra dimensions and it leads to rich fermion and sfermion flavor structures. A marginal chromoelectric dipole moment (CEDM) of the up quark is induced by the misalignment between the CP violating left- and right-handed up-type squark mixings, in contrast to the conventional four-dimensional SUSY GUTs. The up quark CEDM constraint is found to be as strong as those from…
We consider orbifold GUTs with N=1 supersymmetry in which the Standard Model (SM) gauge couplings are unified at M_GUT =~ 2 x 10^16 GeV with one of the third family (charged) Yukawa couplings. With split supersymmetry the SM Higgs mass is estimated to be 131 +/- 10 GeV for gauge-top quark Yukawa unification, which increases to 146 +/- 8 GeV for gauge-bottom quark (or gauge-tau lepton) Yukawa unification.
In grand unified theories based on orbifold constructions in higher dimensions, Higgsino-mediated proton decay is absent. However, proton decay mediated by $X$ and $Y$ gauge bosons is typically enhanced to levels detectable by current and future experiments. We analyse the phenomenology of proton decay induced by the minimal coupling of $X,Y$ gauge bosons. In particular, we show that the novel realization of matter in orbifold GUTs can lead to unusual final state flavour structure, for example, the dominance of the $p\to K^0μ^+$ mode. Furthermore, we discuss proton decay induced by higher-deri…
We construct an orbifold model in which all the standard model particles are unified in a gauge multiplet in higher dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory. We find that a flavor symmetry has to remain in four dimensions due to the discrete charge conservation for orbifold conditions if the colored Higgs components in the gauge multiplet are projected out. When the flavor symmetry originates from the E_8 bulk gauge symmetry, the successful unification model can be constructed. In the model, all the Dirac Yukawa couplings for quarks and leptons are generated by the higher dimensional gauge inte…
We consider a class of seven-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric orbifold GUTs in which the Standard Model (SM) gauge couplings and one of the Yukawa couplings (top quark, bottom quark or tau lepton) are unified, without low energy supersymmetry, at M_{GUT} \simeq 4 \times 10^{16} GeV. With gauge-top quark Yukawa coupling unification the SM Higgs boson mass is estimated to be 135 \pm 6 GeV, which increases to 144 \pm 4 GeV for gauge-bottom quark (or gauge-tau lepton) Yukawa coupling unification.
We construct SU(5) SUSY GUT in 5D compactified on S^1/Z_2 orbifold where the matter fields are living in the five dimensional bulk. SU(5) symmetry is broken down to the Standard Model gauge group by the orbifold projection which automatically ensures stability of proton in all orders of perturbation theory. The model predicts extra mirror quark-lepton families which along with the GUT particles and the excitations of extra dimensions could be observable at high energy colliders providing the unification scale is in the TeV range.
We study proton decay in a supersymmetric {\sf SO(10)} gauge theory in six dimensions compactified on an orbifold. The dimension-5 proton decay operators are forbidden by R-symmetry, whereas the dimension-6 operators are enhanced due to the presence of KK towers. Three sequential quark-lepton families are localised at the three orbifold fixed points, where {\sf SO(10)} is broken to its three GUT subgroups. The physical quarks and leptons are mixtures of these brane states and additional bulk zero modes. This leads to a characteristic pattern of branching ratios in proton decay, in particular t…
We address the flavour problem by incorporating the hypothesis of universal strength of Yukawa couplings in the framework of a 5D GUT model compactified on an $S^1/(Z_2 \times Z_2^{\prime})$ orbifold. We show that a quantitatively successful picture of fermion masses and mixings emerges from the interplay between the bulk suppression factors of geometric origin and the phases of the Yukawa matrices. We give an explicit example, where we obtain a good fit for both the CKM and PMNS matrices.
The infra-red attractive force of the bulk gauge interactions is applied to soften the supersymmetric flavor problem in the orbifold SU(5) GUT of Kawamura. Then this force aligns in the infra-red regime the soft supersymmetry breaking terms out of their anarchical disorder at a fundamental scale, in such a way that flavor-changing neutral currents as well as dangerous CP-violating phases are suppressed at low energies. It is found that this dynamical alignment is sufficiently good compared with the current experimental bounds, as long as the diagonalization matrices of the Yukawa couplings are…
We propose a model in which $A_4$ Family Symmetry arises dynamically from a six dimensional orbifold SU(5) Supersymmetric Grand Unified Theory. The SU(5) is broken to the Standard Model gauge group by a particular orbifold compactification leading to $A_4$ Family Symmetry, low energy Supersymmetry and Higgs doublet-triplet splitting. The resulting four dimensional effective superpotential leads to a realistic description of quark and lepton masses and mixing angles including tri-bimaximal neutrino mixing and an inter-family mass hierarchy provided by a Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism. This model is…
We consider 5 dimensional E_6 and E_7 supersymmetric grand unified theories (GUTs) on an orbifold S^1/Z_2, in which the Higgs fields arise from the 5th components of the 5D gauge fields. We introduce matter fields in 5 dimensions, then the Yukawa interactions are induced from the gauge interactions among the 5th component of gauge fields and the bulk hyper-multiplets. The adjoint and fundamental representations of bulk matter fields can induce all Yukawa interactions of the standard model in E_6 GUT. Furthermore, realistic fermion mass hierarchies and flavor mixings with the CP violating phase…
In supersymmetric grand unified theories (GUTs) based on S^1/(Z_2 x Z'_2) orbifold constructions in 5 dimensions, Standard Model (SM) matter and Higgs fields can be realized in terms of 5d hypermultiplets. These hypermultiplets can naturally have large bulk masses, leading to a localization of the zero modes at one of the two branes or to an exponential suppression of the mass of the lowest-lying non-zero mode. We demonstrate that these dynamical features allow for the construction of an elegant 3-generation SU(5) model in 5 dimensions that explains all the hierarchies between fermion masses a…
We investigate gauge coupling unification in higher dimensional GUT models with split supersymmetry. We focus on 5d and 6d orbifold GUTs, which permit a simple solution to several problems of 4D GUTs as well as control over GUT scale threshold corrections. In orbifold GUTs, calculable threshold corrections can raise or lower the prediction for $α_s(M_Z)$ in a way that depends on the location of Higgs fields. On the other hand, split supersymmetry lowers the prediction for $α_s(M_Z)$. Consequently, split supersymmetry changes the preferred location of the Higgs fields in orbifold GUTs. In the s…
In Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) from orbifold and various string constructions the generic vector-like particles do not need to form complete SU(5) or SO(10) representations. To realize them concretely, we present orbifold SU(5) models, orbifold SO(10) models where the gauge symmetry can be broken down to flipped SU(5) X U(1)_X or Pati-Salam SU(4)_C X SU(2)_L X SU(2)_R gauge symmetries, and F-theory SU(5) models. Interestingly, these vector-like particles can be at the TeV-scale so that the lightest CP-even Higgs boson mass can be lifted, or play the messenger fields in the Gauge Mediated Sup…
We show that the recently constructed 5-dimensional supersymmetric $S^1/(Z_2\times Z_2')$ orbifold GUT models allow an appealing explanation of the observed hierarchical structure of the quark and lepton masses and mixing angles. Flavor hierarchies arise from the geometrical suppression of some couplings when fields propagate in different numbers of dimensions, or on different fixed branes. Restrictions arising from locality in the extra dimension allow interesting texture zeroes to be easily generated. In addition the detailed nature of the SU(5)-breaking orbifold projections lead to simple t…
I discuss an evolution of SUSY GUT model building, starting with the construction of 4d GUTs, to orbifold GUTs and finally to orbifold GUTs within the heterotic string. This evolution is an attempt to obtain realistic string models, perhaps relevant for the LHC. This review is in memory of the sudden loss of Julius Wess, a leader in the field, who will be sorely missed.
Orbifold grand unified theories (GUTs) solve several problems in GUT model building. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate similar constructions in the flavor context. In this paper, we propose that a flavor symmetry might emerge due to orbifold compactification of one orbifold and broken by boundary conditions of another orbifold. The combination of the orbifold parities in gauge and flavor space determines the zero modes. We demonstrate the construction in a supersymmetric (SUSY) SO(10) x S_4 orbifold GUT model, which predicts the tribimaximal mixing at leading order in the lepton secto…
We discuss fermion masses and mixings in models derived from orbifold GUTs such that gauge coupling unification is achieved without low energy supersymmetry by utilizing a non-canonical U(1)_Y. A gauged U(1)_X flavor symmetry plays an essential role, and the Green-Schwarz mechanism is invoked in anomaly cancellations. Models containing vector-like particles with masses close to M_{GUT} are also discussed.
I discuss several issues concerning the use of string models as unified theories of all interactions. After a short review of gauge coupling unification in the string context, I discuss possible motivations for the construction of $SU(5)$ and $SO(10)$ String-GUTs. I describe the construction of such String-GUTs using different orbifold techniques and emphasize those properties which could be general. Although $SO(10)$ and $SU(5)$ String-GUTs are relatively easy to build, the spectrum bellow the GUT scale is in general bigger than that of the MSSM and includes colour octets and $SU(2)$ triplets…
We will outline our recent efforts aimed at analysing a class of models known as orbifold GUTs and their phenomenology in a variety of minimal and non-minimal settings. We examine the minimal SU(5) models, rule them out, and proceed by extending them with an additional scalar field along with a gauge extension via SU(5)xU(1) models. We end up by commenting on the future improvements needed to more accurately handle exclusions along with tracing the U(1) gauge extensions to more complete 6D theories.
The string landscape suggests that the supersymmetry breaking scale can be high, and then the simplest low energy effective theory is the Standard Model (SM). Considering grand unification scale supersymmetry breaking, we show that gauge coupling unification can be achieved at about 10^{16-17} GeV in the SM with suitable normalizations of the U(1)_Y, and we predict that the Higgs mass range is 127 GeV to 165 GeV, with the precise value strongly correlated with the top quark mass m_t and SU(3)_C gauge coupling. For example, if m_t=178\pm1 GeV, the Higgs boson mass is predicted to be between 141…
We study the possibility of realizing the neutrino seesaw mechanism in the E8XE8 heterotic string. In particular, we consider its Z_6 orbifold compactifications leading to the supersymmetric standard model gauge group and matter content. We find that these models possess all the necessary ingredients for the seesaw mechanism, including the required Dirac Yukawa couplings and large Majorana mass terms. We argue that this situation is quite common in heterotic orbifolds. In contrast to the conventional seesaw of grand unified theories (GUTs), no large GUT representations are needed to generate t…
We investigate supersymmetric SU(5) grand-unified theories (GUTs) realized in 5 space-time dimensions and broken down to the MSSM by SU(5)-violating boundary conditions on a S^1/(Z_2 x Z_2') orbifold with two 3-branes. The doublet-triplet splitting problem is entirely avoided by locating the MSSM Higgs doublets on the brane on which SU(5) is not a good symmetry. An extremely simple model is then described in which the MSSM matter is also located on this SU(5)-violating brane. Although this model does not unify the MSSM matter within SU(5) multiplets, it explains gauge coupling unification. A s…
It is well-known that heterotic string compactifications have, in spite of their conceptual simplicity and aesthetic appeal, a serious problem with precision gauge coupling unification in the perturbative regime of string theory. Using both a duality-based and a field-theoretic definition of the boundary of the perturbative regime, we reevaluate the situation in a quantitative manner. We conclude that the simplest and most promising situations are those where some of the compactification radii are exceptionally large, corresponding to highly anisotropic orbifold models. Thus, one is led to con…
We investigate a construction of five-dimensional (5D) grand unified theories (GUTs) on an interval, which we call iGUTs. We analyze supersymmetric SO(10) iGUT as an example, where the gauge multiplet is spread over the 5D bulk. The SO(10) is directly reduced to the standard model gauge symmetry through the interval boundary conditions. Notice that this rank reduction is impossible in case of GUTs on orbifolds. Four scenarios are possible according to locations (bulk or brane) of Higgs and matter fields. We investigate the gauge-coupling unification, the proton decay, the SO(10) GUT features s…
This is the first paper of a series that will examine the options for embedding supersymmetric orbifold-GUTs into five-dimensional N=2 Yang-Mills-Einstein supergravity theories (YMESGTs). In particular, we focus on the allowed couplings of charged hypermultiplets in the lowest dimensional reps of the gauge groups SU(5), SO(10) and E(6). Our results are within the classification of homogeneous quaternionic scalar manifolds. In the minimal coupling of a generation of bulk matter hypermultiplets, supergravity requires the field content of an SO(10) scenario. In the minimal coupling of $n$ bulk ge…
We study gauge coupling unification and various phenomenological issues, such as baryon number conservation, the $μ$ problem and neutrino anomalies, within SUSY 5D orbifold models. The 5D MSSM on an $S^{(1)}/Z_2$ orbifold with 'minimal' field content does not lead to low scale unification, while some of its extensions can give unification near the multi TeV scale. Within the orbifold SU(5) GUT, low scale unification can not be realized due to full SU(5) multiplets participating in the renormalization above the compactification scale. As alternative examples, we construct 5D N=1 SUSY Pati-Salam…
In this talk I outline work done in collaboration with R.J. Zhang and T. Kobayashi. We show how to construct the equivalent of three family orbifold GUTs in five dimensions from the heterotic string. I focus on one particular model with E(6) gauge symmetry in 5D, the third family and Higgs doublet coming from the 5D bulk and the first two families living on 4D SO(10) branes. Note the E(6) gauge symmetry is broken to Pati-Salam in 4D which subsequently breaks to the Standard Model gauge symmetry via the Higgs mechanism. The model has two flaws, one fatal and one perhaps only unaesthetic. The mo…
Inspired by the string landscape and the unified gauge coupling relation in the F-theory Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) and GUTs with suitable high-dimensional operators, we study the canonical gauge coupling unification and Higgs boson mass in the Standard Model (SM) with high-scale supersymmetry breaking. In the SM with GUT-scale supersymmetry breaking, we achieve the gauge coupling unification at about 5.3 x 10^{13} GeV, and the Higgs boson mass is predicted to range from 130 GeV to 147 GeV. In the SM with supersymmetry breaking scale from 10^4 GeV to 5.3 x 10^{13} GeV, gauge coupling unific…
We study 5 dimensional grand-unified theories in an orbifold geometry by the method of effective field theory: we match the low and high energy theories by integrating out at 1-loop the massive Kaluza-Klein states. In the supersymmetric case the radius dependence of threshold effects is fixed by the rescaling anomalies of the low energy theory. We focus on a recently proposed SU(5) model on $M^4 \times S^1/(Z_2\times Z_2^\prime)$. Even though the spectrum of the heavy modes is completely known, there still are corrections to gauge unification originating from boundary couplings. In order to co…
