Fermion spectra from superstrings

Some compactifications of the ten-dimensional anomaly-free E₈ × E₈ and SO(32) theories that correspond to superstrings are studied. Compactification is achieved by setting the classical gauge field equal to the spin connection. The resulting chiral fermion spectra are obtained for any six-dimensional manifold, under the condition Tr F² = 30 Tr R², plus a quantization condition for U(1) charges. For E₈ × E₈ these conditions lead to potentially realistic models for any irreducible six-dimensional manifold and any embedding of the holonomy group. Apart from a few more exotic examples, the four-dimensional models we obtain are more or less standard SU(5), SO(10), SU(4) × SU(2) × SU(2) or E₆ models.     

N = 4 supergravity coupled to N = 4 matter and hidden symmetries

We present the N = 1 supergravity in 10 dimensions obtained by truncating the reduced N = 1 supergravity from 11 dimensions. This is further reduced to 4 dimensions to give SU(4) supergravity coupled to six SO(4) vector multiplets. As the reduction is from 10 dimensions, the theory is expected to have the symmetry SL(6R)_global×SO(6)_local, but we give a theoretical argument that this can be extended to SO(6,6)×SU(1,1)_global and SO(6)×SO(6)×U(1)_local.     

Prospects for supersymmetric SO(10) models with an intermediate mass scale

We investigate possible patterns of SO(10) gauge symmetry breaking compatible with supersymmetry, limiting ourselves to the cases with one intermediate breaking scale. It is found that the one where a 54 representation breaks SO(10) into a Pati-Salam group SU(4)_C×SU(2)_L×SU(2)_R and the one where a 210 breaks it into SU(3)_C× U(1)_C×SU(2)_L×SU(2)_R are the most preferable patterns when supersymmetry is taken into account. Two models with the Pati-Salam intermediate symmetry are studied in more detail.     

A classification of compactifying solutions for d =11 supergravity

Supergravity in eleven dimensions is known to have classical solutions of the type (anti-de Sitter space-time) × (7-dimensional Einstein space). We give a list of all homogeneous 7-manifolds which admit an Einstein metric. Known solutions are reviewed, with some emphasis on the SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) compactifications. Their topology is discussed in detail.The list includes three new solutions, with symmetry groups SU(3) × SU(2), SO(5) and SO(5) × U(1). The first solution has no supersymmetry, while the second and third yield respectively N = 1 and N = 2 supersymmetry in four dimensions. The last two solutions may be extended to solutions with nonzero internal photon curl, breaking all supersymmetry.The existence of a spin structure on homogeneous manifolds $\text{G}\text{H}$ is discussed and related to topological properties of $\text{G}\text{H}$. As an illustration, we treat the coset spaces SU(m + 1) × SU(n + 1)/SU(m) × SU(n) × U(1), which include the spaces with SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) symmetry.     

Finite energy solutions for interacting Yang-Mills and Dirac fields on Minkowski space

The Lagrangian for a SU(2) Yang-Mills field interacting with a massless isospin 1/2 Dirac field is conformally invariant. Finite energy solutions are obtained by a conformal mapping of Minkowski space onto the compact manifoldS ¹×S³ with pseudo-Riemannian metric. They are symmetric with respect to the isometric group SO(2)×SO(4) ofS ¹×S³.     

Chiral fermion generations from higher-dimensional gravity

We discuss a six-dimensional SO(12) gauge theory which can be obtained from pure gravity in 18 dimensions coupled to a Majorana-Weyl spinor, if the ground state is characterized by a noncompact internal space without boundary with small finite volume. The six-dimensional SO(12) theory spontaneously compactifies to a four-dimensional SO(10) theory with local generation group SU(2)_G × U(1)_G. We obtain an even number of chiral fermion generations transforming as ($\text{16, k, ±}\text{1}\text{2}$) under SO(10) × SU(2)_G × U(1)_G. Adding a scalar field to the six-dimensional theory provides us with fields carrying all the quantum numbers needed for a realistic spontaneous symmetry breakdown to SU(3)_c × U(1)_e.m.     

Gravity-induced weak symmetry breaking and supergravity

We give here a review of the recent developments of grand unified theories based onN=1 supergravity. We start with a brief introduction of supersymmetry and supergravity multiplets, and then discuss the construction of an invariant Lagrangian. The phenomena of gravity-induced weak symmetry breaking via the super Higgs effect at the tree level, corresponding to the conventional SU(5) gauge group, are then considered. We then extend this idea to the larger group SO(10), showing two possible breaking chains given as (i) SO(10)×susy→SU(2) _L ×U(1) _R ×U(1) _B-L ×SU(3) _C (≡ G₂₁₁₃)×susy→U(1)_em×SU(3) _C (G _LE ) predicting a secondZ-boson having mass lower than 1 TeV, and (ii) SO(10)×susy→SU(2) _L ×SU(2) _R ×SU(4)→(≡G₂₂₄)×susy→ SU(2) _L ×U(1) _Y ×SU(3) _C (≡ G₂₁₃)×susy→U(1)_em×SU(3) _C . We also consider the radiative breaking of weak symmetry via renormalisation group effects, which predicts the top quark mass. Some experimental signatures of the supersymmetric particles are investigated and possible future outlook is discussed. Invited talk presented at the International Symposium on Theoretical Physics, Bangalore, November 1984.     

Implications of a natural fermion mass hierarchy

The hierarchical struture of the fundamental fermion mass spectra is required to arise in a non-accidental way from a unified model G_family with a horizontal symmetry factor group G_generation. A quark or lepton must then not be in the same representation of G_family as its anti-particle. Models for G_family of the type SU(4)_C × SU(2)_L × SU(2)_R are favoured over SU(5) or SO(10).     

Towards a finite N = 2 susy GUT

We consider finite, N = 2 supersymmetric GUTs based on gauge groups SU(n) and SO(n). As an example, we discuss a semirealistic model based on SO(12). We argue that in finite, N = 2 supersymmetric GUTs, gauge symmetry breaking should occur dynamically. We present a heuristic picture in which this is induced by soft, finiteness preserving SUSY breaking terms. The bound states formed cause a very rapid evolution of the SO(12) coupling constant and break SO(12) into SU(4)×SU(3)_C×U(1).     

Cosmological constant in a model with superstring-inspired E 6 unification and shadow θ-particles

We have developed the concept of parallel existence of the ordinary (O-) and mirror (M-), or shadow (Sh-) worlds. In the first part of the paper we consider a mirror world with broken mirror parity and the breaking E ₆→SU(3)³ in both worlds. We show that in this case the evolutions of coupling constants in the O- and M-worlds are not identical, having different parameters for similar evolutions. E ₆ unification, inspired by superstring theory, restores the broken mirror parity at the scale ～10¹⁸ GeV. With the aim to explain the tiny cosmological constant, in the second part we consider the breakings: E ₆→SO(10)×U(1) _Z in the O-world, and E′₆→SU(6)′×SU(2)′ _θ in the Sh-world. We assume the existence of shadow θ-particles and the low-energy symmetry group SU(3)′ _C ×SU(2)′ _L ×SU(2)′ _θ ×U(1)′ _Y in the shadow world, instead of the Standard Model. The additional non-Abelian SU(2)′ _θ group with massless gauge fields, “thetons”, has a macroscopic confinement radius 1/Λ′ _θ . The assumption that Λ′ _θ ≈2.3?10^?3 eV explains the tiny cosmological constant given by recent astrophysical measurements. In this way the present work opens the possibility to specify a grand unification group, such as E ₆, from cosmology.     

Chiral symmetry breaking and condensates in the rishon model

The rishon model is studied in the limit g_c → 0, α → 0 when its global flavour symmetry is SU(6) × SU(6) × U(1) analogous to six massless flavour QCD. Recently it was shown that the ad hoc breaking SU(6) × SU(6) → SU(3) × SU(3) allows the anomaly constraint to be satisfied. In this paper this is shown to be but one of several successful patterns of chiral symmetry breaking. The condensates required to perform these breakings are fully discussed. A plausibility argument based on single gauge boson exchange is presented which determines the condensate uniquely to be 〈(v_LV_L)³〉 corresponding to the original breaking above. The same argument applies to QCD, which is argued to differ in its chiral behaviour due to the large intrinsic masses of the quarks. The implications of the above condensate and pattern of chiral symmetry breaking for the rishon model include the prediction of integer charged colour octet fermions, a naive mass formula m_e = 2m_u ? m_d, new insight into the parity-violating condensate 〈(v_Lv_L)²(v_Rv_R)〉 and the prediction of 52 new pseudos whose masses are estimated.     

Fermion masses in grand unified theories: Effective Yukawa terms

It is argued that effective non-renormalizable terms of the type recently proposed by Ellis and Gaillard can give rise to large contributions to the fermion masses. The combined effect of this kind of term and the usual Yukawa couplings could explain the observed hierarchy of fermion masses. Two toy-models based on the gauge groups SU (5)×SU(2) _H and SO(10)×SU(2) _H (where SU(2) _H is a gauged “horizontal” symmetry) are shown in which one can obtain some interesting mass relations previously obtained under very different assumptions.     

Breaking of the SO(n) symmetry with vector and adjoint higgses

The spontaneous symmetry breaking of SO(n) is investigated by studying the most general quartic SO(n)-invariant Higgs potential with two multiplets of scalars belonging to a vector and to an adjoint representation. In the most general cases largest residual symmetry is found to be SU(l), SU(l-1), SO(l), SO(l-1) or SO(n-2) wherel is the rank of SO(n). In particular, the breaking of SO(n) into SU(n ₁)×SU(n ₂) is found to occur only in special cases.     

Composite symmetries and sub-constituent models

Assuming the internal A-spin, B-spin and C-spin of particles from basic symmetry SO(4), the color SU(3), horizontal SU(3)', electroweak SU(2)'_w×U(1) and other higher composite symmetries are derived.     

Superunification from eleven dimensions

We show how N = 8 supersymmetry can break spontaneously to N = 1 at the Planck scale via a Kaluza-Klein compactification of d = 11 supergravity on the squashed seven-sphere. Features unique to Kaluza-Klein supergravity are (i) the massless gravitino of the N = 1 phase comes from a massiveN = 8 supermultiplet, (ii) the scalars developing nonzero VEVs also belong to massive N = 8 supermultiplets, (iii) parity remains unbroken when N = 8 breaks to N = 1.Next we ask whether the resulting N = 1 theory can provide a realistic SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) unification and speculate that it might if some of the gauge bosons and fermions are composite as in the EGMZ model. In contrast to their model, however, we avoid unwanted helicities and problems with their non-compact E₇. Moreover, we suggest a scheme in which the electroweak SU(2) × U(1) is a subgroup of the d = 11 general coordinate group but that the strong SU(3) is a subgroup of the d = 11 local Lorentz group and are not, therefore, to be combined into a GUT. The special properties of the seven-sphere also suggest a possible solution of the cosmological constant problem involving fermion condensates.     

Flipped SO(10)

We constract an N = 1 supersymmetric SO(10) GUT broken down to SU(3)_c×SU(2)_L×U(1)_Y with an intermediate flipped SU(5)×U(1)_X gauge symmetry. A solution to the triplet-doublet mass-splitting problem is proposed in terms of a non-minimal missing-partner mechanism.     

Anti-Su(5)

We discuss ordinary as well as supersymmetric SU(5) ×?(1) models in the hope of accomodating acceptable τ_p and sin²θ_W. The ordinary SU(5) ×?(1) model does not have the monopole. The supersymmetric SU(5) ×?(1) model can be unified in SO(10).     

Towards a canonical fermi mass matrix for a pure generation structure

Vertical constraints on the horizontal generation structure are discussed. The minimal electro/nuclear scheme for which the generation structure must be pure is identified to be the partially unified Pati-Salam SU(4)_C×SU(2)_L×SU(2)_R. SO(10) type unification furthermore requires the horizontal group factor to be axial. This in turn crucially affects the Yukawa couplings in such a way that a minimal Higgs system with only two conventional scalars is capable of uniquely giving rise to the ‘canonical’ Fritzsch-type mass matrix, for any arbitrary number of fermionic families. The anomaly-free equations then provide the desired one-to-one correspondence between the mass matrices in the two charged quark sectors. The derived horizontal quantum numbers suggest that the maximal horizontal group factor be SU(2), with the generations furnishing two neighbor $\text{j}\text{and}\text{j +}\text{1}\text{2}$ representations. Finally, a careful phase analysis shows that the tree-level soft and superwork CP-violation solely reflects the non-abelian character of the horizontal group, representing an induced internal rotation which is triggered by the phase elimination performed in the vertical sector.     

Supergravity,the seven-sphere,and spontaneous symmetry breaking

N = 1 supergravity in d = 11 dimensions spontaneously compactifies on S⁷ to an N = 8 supergravity in d = 4 with a local SO(8) × SO(8) invariance, probably enlargeable to SO(8) × SU(8). Apart from group manifolds, S⁷ is the only compact manifold to admit an absolute parallelism. This permits (a) a “squashing” of S⁷ which gives expectation values to the scalar fields and (b) a parallelizing “torsion” which gives expectation values to the pseudoscalars. This correspondence between extrema of the d = 4 effective potential and solutions of the d = 11 field equations provides a Kaluza-Klein origin for the spontaneous breakdown of gauge symmetries, discrete symmetries, and supersymmetries. It also puts a new perspective on the puzzle of the cosmological constant.     

Grand unification of effective gauge theories

An effective non-renormalizable SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) invariant gauge theory results at ordinary energies when superheavy fields are integrated out from a grand unified theory based on a simple gauge group G. The solutions of the second-order renormalization-group equations for the gauge coupling constants of the effective theory are examined. General formulae for the superheavy vector boson mass and for sin²θ near M_W are given in this approach to grand unification. The superheavy vector boson mass is plotted against the QCD scale parameter Λ for a certain set of grand unified models. Corrections to the prediction when the set of models is enlarged are discussed, and illustrated with examples from G≡SU(5) and O(10).