Symmetry breaking in a supersymmetric model of strong and electroweak interactions

We describe a supersymmetric model of strong and electroweak interactions based on the gauge groupSU(3)×SU(2)×U(1)×?(1). We concentrate on the pattern of the spontaneous symmetry breaking by the tree level scalar potential. It is possible to break the?(1) factor at superlarge energies relative to the simultaneous breaking scale ofSU(2)×U(1) and supersymmetry. The model has?(1) anomalies. Attempts to make an anomaly-free model based on the groupE ₆ are described. We also comment on possible modifications of the?(1) anomaly problem due to gravitational effects.     

A supersymmetric left-right confining model of the weak interactions

We extend the supersymmetric, confining theory of weak interactions to a left-right symmetric model. This model is based on the gauge group SU(M)_SC×SU(2)_R×SU(2)_L×SU(3)_c×U(1) and is more natural as far as supersymmetry breaking is concerned. Supersymmetry protects chiral symmetries from spontaneous breakdown and allows a solution to the strong CP problem. This model can accommodate at most three generations of quarks and leptons.     

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.     

Supersymmetric flipped SU(5) revitalized

We describe a simple N = 1 supersymmetric GUT based on the group SU(5)×U(1) which has the following virtues: the gauge group is broken down to the SU(3)_C×SU(2)_L×U(1)_Y of the standard model using just 10, $\text{10}$ Higgs representations, and doublet-triplet mass splitting problem is solved naturally by a very simple missing-partner mechanism. The successful supersymmetric GUT prediction for sin²θ_w can be maintained, whilst there are no fermion mass relations. The gauge group and representation structure of the model may be obtainable from the superstring.     

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).     

Left-right symmetry breaking scale and supersymmetry in unified theories

We propose a class of supersymmetric grand unified models where parity and SU(2)_R breaking scales are widely separated and compatible with a low-lying mass for the right-handed gauge boson W_R. The intermediate symmetry SU(4)_c×SU(2)_L×SU(2)_R and Higgs content are uniquely fixed if m_WR < 10⁹ GeV. The unification scale lies within an order of magnitude below the Planck mass.     

Unification of families based on a coset space E7/SU(5) × SU(3) × U(1)

We show that the usual three families of quarks and leptons are identifiable with quasi Nambu-Goldstone fermions in a supersymmetric non-linear realization of E₇ corresponding to the Kähler manifold E₇/SU(5) × SU(3) × U(1). So the triplication of families suggests the underlying preon theory realizing the global E₇ linearly. Possible connections with N = 8 supergravity are also discussed.     

The link between the emergence of the GIM mechanism and the nature of the neutral-current parity violation

We show that minimization of the Higgs potential within the unifying symmetry [SU(4)]⁴ together with the requirement that the GIM mechanism should emerge as a consequence of spontaneous breakdown of the symmetry on the flavor side leaves us with onechoice regarding the nature of parity violation: charged current as well as neutral current parity violations must have one and the same origin; if the former is à la SU(2)_L×U(1), so must be the latter. Furthermore, there appear to be only two possible alternative forms for the low-energy electroweak symmetry: (i) the familiar SU(2)_L×U(1), and (ii) and extended symmetry SU(2)_L×U(1)_L×?(1)_R differing from the former only in the parity-conserving neutral current sector.     

Orbifold compactifications with three families of Su(3) ×Su(2) ×U(1)n

We construct several N = 1 supersymmetric three-generation models with SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1)ⁿ gauge symmetry, obtained from orbifold compactification of the heterotic string in the presence of constant gauge-background fields. This Wilson-line mechanism also allows us to eliminate extra colour triplets which could mediate fast proton decay.     

Effects of additional Higgses in supersymmetric grand unified theories

We consider modifications of the minimal supersymmetric SU(5) grand unified model. With the additional Higgses 10 +$\text{10}$, the theory may be modified so that the proton decays dominantly via the conventional mode p→e⁺π with the lifetime π_p=(0.04-710)×10³⁰yr, and sin²θ_W=0.222±0.003.     

Grand unification with local supersymmetry

We study general conditions for obtaining spontaneous breaking of local supersymmetry in N = 1 supergravity coupled to supersymmetric matter. We consider in particular the coupling of N = 1 supergravity to grand unified theories like SU(5) and study the conditions which must be met in order to obtain a realistic model. Specific models are built in which local supersymmetry is broken at a scale √M_Wm_p ～ 10¹⁰ GeV. This breaking of supersymmetry is only detected at low energies through soft terms breaking explicitly the global supersymmetry. These soft terms (scalar masses, gaugino masses and trilinear scalar couplings) are renormalized at low energies according to the renormalization group. The (mass)² of the Higgs doublet evolve towards negative values at low energies giving rise to SU(2) × U(1) breaking as a radiative effect of local supersymmetry breaking. We finally point out the possible relevance of non-renormalizable superpotentials for the problem of fermion masses.     

Comment on the quark masses in the SU(5)×U(1) model derived from the 4D fermionic superstring

In this letter, the problems of the up-quark and neutrino mass matrix, as well as the lepton non-conservation are discussed within the N=1 supersymmetric SU(5)×U(1) model derived from the four-dimensional fermionic superstring.     

Primordial two-component maximally symmetric inflation

We propose a two-component inflation model, based on maximally symmetric supergravity, where the scales of reheating and the inflation potential at the origin are decoupled. This is possible because of the second-order phase transition from SU(5) to SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) that takes place when φ?φ_c<φ₀, when φ₀?O(M) is the value of the inflation at the global minimum, and leads to a reheating temperature T_R?(10¹⁵–10¹⁶) GeV. This makes it possible to generate baryon asymmetry in the conventional way without any conflict with experimental data on proton lifetime. The mass of the gravitinos is $\text{m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{?10}{}^{12}\text{GeV}$, thus avoiding the gravitino problem. Monopoles are diluted by residual inflation in the broken phase below the cosmological bounds if φ_c?0.3M.     

A supersymmetric gut

We propose a grand unified supersymmetric theory based on SU(5) with spontaneously broken supersymmetry. The theory (really a class of theories) is completely realistic. In particular, supersymmetry partners of ordinary fermions and bosons are heavy. The model requires one fine-tuning in order to render the color triplet partners of the Higgs fields (which mediate proton decay) superheavy. This fine-tuning is stable against radiative corrections. At the tree level, the model contains two scales, the unification scale, of order 10¹⁶ GeV, and the supersymmetry breaking scale, of order 10¹⁰ GeV. The breaking of SU(2) × U(1) invariance arises as a radiative effect. The lightest of the new particles implied by supersymmetry are expected to have masses of order tens of GeV.     

The structure of weak interactions for composite quarks and leptons

We consider a model of quarks and leptons as quasi-Goldstone fermions which is based on an underlying supersymmetric SU(2)_HC × SU(2)′_HC preon theory. The spontaneous breakdown of a global U(6) × U(6)′ × U(1) symmetry to U(4) × U(4)′ × SU(2)_diag creates both quarks and leptons and at the same time allows for the possibility of having either residual or fundamental weak interactions. Effective lagrangians in the confining phase of the theory are compared to those emerging from a complementary picture and the problems connected with the nature of the weak interactions are discussed in this context also.     

A low right-handed scale in a supersymmetric context

We investigate the prospects for a low right-handed scale M_R in the context of locally supersymmetric O(10), limiting ourselves to the most interesting case of a single breaking scale between the grand unified scale M_X and the W-mass. It is found that supersymmetry seems to imply a unique solution as regards the Higgs content and the intermediate symmetry group if a low right-handed scale (less than 10⁴ GeV) exist at all. Apart from a minimal set of representations providing the symmetry battern, the Higgs sector consist of a pair of 16 and $\text{16}$ spinor representations ying at scale M_R and the residual symmetry is SU(3)_c × U(1)_B?L × SU(2)_L × U(1)_R.     

Supercosmology revitalized

Strong coupling effects can avert excess entropy production in supersymmetric models with a large intermediate scale due to symmetry breaking along a flat direction in the effective potential. This is because strong-coupling effects may break supersymmetry giving a large vacuum energy which destabilizes the symmetric field configuration. Alternatively, the reduced number of degrees of freedom in the confined phase destabilized the symmetric field configuration at a high temperature T⪢m_w. This principle is exhibited in a simple supersymmetric flipped SU(5)×U(1) GUT model inspired by the superstring. Compatible scenarios for baryosynthesis are briefly discussed.     

Proton decay in supersymmetric models

We discuss proton decay in supersymmetric theories. We find that it is possible to obtain rates which are comparable with those of standard SU(5). In the presence of a discrete symmetry which occurs in an SU(5) supersymmetric unified model we obtain a definite prediction for the dominant decay mode, i.e. p → K^+?ν_μ and n → K^0?ν_μ.     

Negative dimensions and E7 symmetry

The invariant length and volume which characterize the Lorentz group are extended to a quadratic and a quartic supersymmetric invariant. The symmetry group of the Grassmann sector can be SO(2), SU(2), SU(2) × SU(2) × SU(2), Sp(6), SU(6), SO(12) or E₇, which are also possible global symmetries of extended supergravities. Diophantine conditions which yield this classification follow from the corresponding conditions in d bosonic dimensions by the replacement d → ?d.     

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).