Gauge coupling unification in realistic free-fermionic string models

We discuss the unification of gauge couplings within the framework of a wide class of realistic free-fermionic string models which have appeared in the literature, including the flipped SU(5), SO(6) × SO(4), and various SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) models. If the matter spectrum below the string scale is that of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), then string unification is in disagreement with experiment. We therefore examine several effects that may modify the minimal string predictions. First, we develop a systematic procedure for evaluating the one-loop heavy string threshold corrections in free-fermionic string models, and we explicitly evaluate these corrections for each of the realistic models. We find that these string threshold corrections are small, and we provide general arguments explaining why such threshold corrections are suppressed in string theory. Thus heavy thresholds cannot resolve the disagreement with experiment. We also study the effect of non-standard hypercharge normalizations, light SUSY thresholds, and intermediate-scale gauge structure, and similarly conclude that these effects cannot resolve the disagreement with low-energy data. Finally, we examine the effects of additional color triplets and electroweak doublets beyond the MSSM. Although not required in ordinary grand unification scenarios, such states generically appear within the context of certain realistic free-fermionic string models. We show that if these states exist at the appropriate thresholds, then the gauge couplings will indeed unify at the string scale. Thus, within these string models, string unification can be in agreement with low-energy data.     

Gauge coupling unification with extra dimensions and correction due to higher dimensional operators

We study the gauge coupling unification with extra dimensions. We take into account corrections due to the higher dimensional operators. We show the prediction of ₃(M_Z) is sensitive to such corrections, even if cΦ/M=O(0.01). We also discuss the b−τ Yukawa unification.     

Radiative corrections in compactified superstring models

One-loop corrections to the effective potential in models obtained from compactification of ten-dimensional superstring theories are calculated. It is found that no masses are generated for gauge non-singlet scalars even in the presence of supersymmetry breaking terms induced by gauge and gaugino condensation, but that the gravitino mass is determined at one loop. The scales of grand unification, supersymmetry breaking and condensation are fixed by the gauge singlet scalars and are found to be close to Planck scale. Requiring M_GUT<M_Planck restricts the other parameters of the theory. The one-loop effective potential at scales between the condensate and compactification scales is also discussed, with possible implications for the allowed particle content of the effective theory.     

Nonperturbative corrections in resummed cross sections

We show that the resummation of large perturbative corrections in QCD leads to ambiguities in high energy cross sections that are suppressed by powers of large momentum scales. These ambiguities are caused by infrared renormalons, which are a general feature of resummed hardscattering functions in perturbative QCD, even though these functions are infrared safe order-by-order in perturbation theory. As in the case of the operator product expansion, the contributions of infrared renormalons to coefficient functions may be absorbed into the definition of higher-dimensional operators, which induce nonperturbative corrections that are power-suppressed at high energies. The strength of the suppression is determined by the location of the dominant infrared renormalon, which may be identified explicitly in the resummed series. In contrast to the operator product expansion, however, the relevant operators in factorized hadron-hadron scattering and jet cross sections are generally nonlocal in QCD, although they may be expressed as local operators in an effective theory for eikonalized quarks. In this context, we verify and interpret the presence of 1 /Q corrections to the inclusive Drell-Yan cross section with Q the pair mass. In a similar manner, we find exp (-b² In Q) corrections in the impact parameter space of the transverse momentum distributions of the Drell-Yan process and e⁺6^- annihilation. We also show that the dominant nonperturbative corrections to cone-based jet cross sections behave as 1 /(Qδ), with δ the opening angle of the jet and Q the center of mass energy.     

Grand unification in RS1

We study unification in the Randall-Sundrum scenario for solving the hierarchy problem, with gauge fields and fermions in the bulk. We calculate the one-loop corrected low-energy effective gauge couplings in a unified theory, broken at the scale M_GUT in the bulk. We find that, although this scenario has an extra dimension, there is a robust (calculable in the effective field theory) logarithmic dependence on M_GUT, strongly suggestive of high-scale unification, very much as in the (4D) Standard Model. Moreover, bulk threshold effects are naturally small, but volume-enhanced, so that we can accommodate the measured gauge couplings. We show in detail how excessive proton decay is forbidden by an extra U(1) bulk gauge symmetry. This mechanism requires us to further break the unified group using boundary conditions. A 4D dual interpretation, in the sense of the AdS/CFT correspondence, is provided for all our results. Our results show that an attractive unification mechanism can combine with a non-supersymmetric solution to the hierarchy problem.     

Brane World Corrections to Newton’s Law

We discuss possible variations of the effective gravitational constant with length scale, predicted by most of alternative theories of gravity and unified models of physical interactions. After giving a brief general exposition, we review in more detail the predicted corrections to Newton’s law of gravity in diverse brane world models. We consider various configurations in 5 dimensions (flat, de Sitter and AdS branes in Einstein and Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet theories, with and without induced gravity and possible incomplete graviton localization), 5D multi-brane systems and some models in higher dimensions. A common feature of all models considered is the existence of corrections to Newton’s law at small radii comparable with the bulk characteristic length: at such radii, gravity on the brane becomes effectively multidimensional. Many models contain superlight perturbation modes, which modify gravity at large scale and may be important for astrophysics and cosmology.     

Grand unification and enhanced quantum gravitational effects

In grand unified theories with large numbers of fields, renormalization effects significantly modify the scale at which quantum gravity becomes strong. This in turn can modify the boundary conditions for coupling constant unification, if higher dimensional operators induced by gravity are taken into consideration. We show that the generic size of, and the uncertainty in, these effects from gravity can be larger than the two-loop corrections typically considered in renormalization group analyses of unification. In some cases, gravitational effects of modest size can render unification impossible.     

A note on regularization methods in Kaluza–Klein theories

We comment on the presence of power-like divergences in Kaluza–Klein theories with supersymmetry breaking à la Scherk–Schwarz. By introducing a SUSY preserving regulator, we show that, in the context of a recently model proposed by Barbieri, Hall and Nomura, the Higgs mass is finite and unambiguously defined. The same result applies to similar models.     

Leptoquark mechanism of neutrino masses within the grand unification framework

We demonstrate the viability of the one-loop neutrino mass mechanism within the framework of grand unification when the loop particles comprise scalar leptoquarks (LQs) and quarks of the matching electric charge. This mechanism can be implemented in both supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric models and requires the presence of at least one LQ pair. The appropriate pairs for the neutrino mass generation via the up-type and down-type quark loops are \(S_3\)–\(R_2\) and \(S_{1,\,3}\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\), respectively. We consider two distinct regimes for the LQ masses in our analysis. The first regime calls for very heavy LQs in the loop. It can be naturally realized with the \(S_{1,\,3}\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\) scenarios when the LQ masses are roughly between \(10^{12}\) and \(5 \times 10^{13}\) GeV. These lower and upper bounds originate from experimental limits on partial proton decay lifetimes and perturbativity constraints, respectively. Second regime corresponds to the collider accessible LQs in the neutrino mass loop. That option is viable for the \(S_3\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\) scenario in the models of unification that we discuss. If one furthermore assumes the presence of the type II see-saw mechanism there is an additional contribution from the \(S_3\)–\(R_2\) scenario that needs to be taken into account beside the type II see-saw contribution itself. We provide a complete list of renormalizable operators that yield necessary mixing of all aforementioned LQ pairs using the language of SU(5). We furthermore discuss several possible embeddings of this mechanism in SU(5) and SO(10) gauge groups.     

Combined fit of low energy constraints to minimal supersymmetry and discovery potential at LEP II

Within the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM) it is possible to predict the low energy gauge couplings and masses of the 3. generation particles from a few parameters at the GUT scale. In addition the MSSM predicts electroweak symmetry breaking due to large radiative corrections from Yukawa couplings, thus relating theZ ⁰ boson mass to the top quark mass. From ax ² analysis, in which these constraints can be considered simultaneously, one can calculate the probability for each point in the MSGUT parameter space. The recently measured top quark mass prefers two solutions for the mixing angle in the Higgs sector: tanβ in the range between 1 and 3 or alternatively tanβ≈25?50. For both cases we find a uniquex ² minimum in the parameter space. From the corresponding most probable parameters at the GUT scale, the masses of all predicted particles can be calculated at low energies using the RGE, albeit with rather large errors due to the logarithmic nature of the running of the masses and coupling constants. Our fits include full second order corrections for the gauge and Yukawa couplings, low energy threshold effects, contributions of all (s)particles to the Higgs potential and corrections tom _b from gluinos and higgsinos, which exclude (in our notation) positive values of the mixing parameterμ in the Higgs potential for the large tanβ region. Further constraints can be derived from the branching ratio for the radiative (penguin) decay of theb-quark intosγ and the lower limit on the lifetime of the universe, which requires the dark matter density due to the Lightest Super-symmetric Particle (LSP) not to overclose the universe. For the low tanβ solution these additional constraints can be fulfilled simultaneously for quite a large region of the parameter space. In contrast, for the high tanβ solution the correct value for theb→sγ rate is obtained only for small values of the gaugino scale and electroweak symmetry breaking is difficult, unless one assumes the minimal SU(5) to be a subgroup of a larger symmetry group, which is broken between the Planck scale and the unification scale. In this case small splittings in the Yukawa couplings are expected at the unification scale and electroweak symmetry breaking is easily obtained, provided the Yukawa coupling for the top quark is slightly above the one for the bottom quark, as expected e.g. if the larger symmetry group would be SO(10). For particles, which are most likely to have masses in the LEP II energy range, the cross sections are given for the various energy scenarios at LEP II. For low tanβ the production of the lightest Higgs boson, which is expected to have a mass below 103 GeV, is the most promising channel, while for large tanβ the production of charginos and/or neutralinos covers the preferred parameter space.     

Combined fit of low energy constraints to minimal supersymmetry and discovery potential at LEP II

Within the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM) it is possible to predict the low energy gauge couplings and masses of the 3. generation particles from a few parameters at the GUT scale. In addition the MSSM predicts electroweak symmetry breaking due to large radiative corrections from Yukawa couplings, thus relating theZ ⁰ boson mass to the top quark mass. From ax ² analysis, in which these constraints can be considered simultaneously, one can calculate the probability for each point in the MSGUT parameter space. The recently measured top quark mass prefers two solutions for the mixing angle in the Higgs sector: tan?? in the range between 1 and 3 or alternatively tan????25?50. For both cases we find a uniquex ² minimum in the parameter space. From the corresponding most probable parameters at the GUT scale, the masses of all predicted particles can be calculated at low energies using the RGE, albeit with rather large errors due to the logarithmic nature of the running of the masses and coupling constants. Our fits include full second order corrections for the gauge and Yukawa couplings, low energy threshold effects, contributions of all (s)particles to the Higgs potential and corrections tom _b from gluinos and higgsinos, which exclude (in our notation) positive values of the mixing parameter?? in the Higgs potential for the large tan?? region. Further constraints can be derived from the branching ratio for the radiative (penguin) decay of theb-quark intos?? and the lower limit on the lifetime of the universe, which requires the dark matter density due to the Lightest Super-symmetric Particle (LSP) not to overclose the universe. For the low tan?? solution these additional constraints can be fulfilled simultaneously for quite a large region of the parameter space. In contrast, for the high tan?? solution the correct value for theb??s?? rate is obtained only for small values of the gaugino scale and electroweak symmetry breaking is difficult, unless one assumes the minimal SU(5) to be a subgroup of a larger symmetry group, which is broken between the Planck scale and the unification scale. In this case small splittings in the Yukawa couplings are expected at the unification scale and electroweak symmetry breaking is easily obtained, provided the Yukawa coupling for the top quark is slightly above the one for the bottom quark, as expected e.g. if the larger symmetry group would be SO(10). For particles, which are most likely to have masses in the LEP II energy range, the cross sections are given for the various energy scenarios at LEP II. For low tan?? the production of the lightest Higgs boson, which is expected to have a mass below 103 GeV, is the most promising channel, while for large tan?? the production of charginos and/or neutralinos covers the preferred parameter space.     

Higgs bosons in SO(10) and partial unification

The implications of the existence of a partial unification, previous to the grand unification into SO(10) are studied. Special emphasis is given to the influence of the Higgs bosons in the theory. We calculate their contribution to the β-functions of the partialunification roups of most phenomenological interest and it is found that the results previously calculated for the partial and grand unification masses are in general drastically changed. After making an extended “survival hypothesis” about the masses of the Higgses, we find that the partial unification mass (PUM) should be typically 10^10?11 GeV. The masses of the neutrinos are related to the PUM and we obtain m_ντ ～ 1–10 eV. Neutron oscillations can appear, but at a negligible rate. Proton decay may occur at the expected rate, although in some models it is highly suppressed. The result for the ratio m_b/m_τ is smaller than in SU(5) and the simplest SO(10) version.     

A note on dimension-5 operators in GUTs and their impact

Quantum gravity or string compactification can lead to effective dimension-5 operators in Grand Unified Theories which modify the gauge kinetic terms. We exhaustively discuss the group-theoretic nature of such operators for the popular SU(5), SO(10), and E(6) models. In particular, for SU(5) only a Higgs in the 200 representation can help bring the couplings to unification below the Planck scale and in consistency with proton decay limits while for a supersymmetric version 24, 75, or 200 representations are all acceptable. The results also have a direct application in non-universality of gaugino masses in a class of supersymmetric models where identical group-theoretic features obtain.     

Non-perturbative aspects of screening phenomena in abelian and non-abelian gauge theories

When computed to one-loop order in resummed perturbation theory, the non-abelian Debye mass appears to be logarithmically sensitive to the magnetic scale g²T. More generally, we show that in higher orders power-like infrared divergences forbid the use of perturbation theory to calculate the corrections to Debye screening. A similar infrared problem occurs in the determination of the mass-shell behaviour for the scalar propagator in (2+1)-dimensional scalar electrodynamics. In this context, we provide a non-perturbative approach which solves the infrared problems and allows for an accurate calculation of the scalar propagator in the vicinity of the mass shell.     

Embedding Z′ models in SO(10) GUTs

We embed a theory with Z′ gauge boson (related to an extra U(1) gauge group) into a supersymmetric GUT theory based on SO(10). Two possible sequences of SO(10) breaking via VEVs of appropriate Higgs fields are considered. Gauge coupling unification provides constraints on the low energy values of two additional gauge coupling constants related to Z′ interactions with fermions. Our main purpose is to investigate in detail the freedom in these two values due to different scales of subsequent SO(10) breaking and unknown threshold mass corrections in the gauge RGEs. These corrections are mainly generated by Higgs representations and can be large because of the large dimensions of these representations. To account for many free mass parameters, effective threshold mass corrections have been introduced. Analytic results that show the allowed regions of values of two additional gauge coupling constants have been derived at 1-loop level. For a few points in parameter-space that belong to one of these allowed regions 1-loop running of gauge coupling constants has been compared with more precise running, which is 2-loop for gauge coupling constants and 1-loop for Yukawa coupling constants. 1-loop results have been compared with experimental constraints from electroweak precision tests and from the most recent LHC data.     

Quenching of spin matrix elements in nuclei

Matrix elements of spin operators evaluated in a nuclear medium are systematically quenched compared to their values in free space. There are a number of contributing reasons for this. Foremost is the traditional nuclear structure difficulty of the inadequacy of the lowest-order shell-model wavefunctions. We use the Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory to correct for this, arguing that calculations must be carried through at least t o second order. This is a question of the appropriate effective interaction. We review the Landau-Migdal approach in which only RPA graphs are retained and discuss the strength of this interaction in the spin-isospin channel expressed in terms of the parameter g'. We also consider one-boson-exchange models and compare the two. The advantage of the OBEP models is that the two-nucleon meson-exchange current operators can be constructed to be consistent with the potential as required by the continuity equation for vector currents and the partial conservation (PCAC) equation for axial currents. We give a complete derivation of the MEC operators of heavy-meson range starting with the chiral Lagrangians used by Ivanov and Truhlik. Nonlocal terms are retained in the computations. We single out one class of MEC processes involving isobar excitation and demonstrate that in lowest order there is an equivalence between treating the isobar as an MEC correction and treating it as a nuclear constituent through the transition spin formalism. Differences occur in higher orders. There are a number of uncertainties in the isobar calculation involving the neglect of the isobar's natural width, the relativistic propagator being off the mass shell and the coupling constants not being known with any precision. We present a comprehensive calculation of core-polarisation, meson-exchange current and isobar-current corrections to low-energy M1 and Gamow-Teller transitions in closed-shell-plus-one nuclei (at LS and jj closed shells) expressing the results in terms of equivalent effective one-body operators. We compare with the empirically-determined operators in the sd-shell of Brown and Wildenthal. While overall agreement is good, a closer inspection reveals two discrepancies which suggest two benchmark tests for newer and alternative models.     

The Embedding of Schwarzschild in Braneworld

The braneworlds models were inspired partly by Kaluza-Klein’s theory, where both the gravitational and the gauge fields are obtained from the geometry of a higher dimensional space. The positive aspects of these models consist in perspectives of modifications it could bring in to particle physics, such as: unification in a TeV scale, quantum gravity in this scale and deviation of Newton’s law for small distances. One of the principles of these models is to suppose that all space-times can be embedded in a bulk of higher dimension. The main result in these notes is a theorem showing a mathematical inconsistency of the Randall-Sundrum braneworld model, namely that the Schwarzschild space-time cannot be embedded locally and isometrically in a five dimensional bulk with constant curvature (for example AdS-5). From the point of view of semi-Riemannian geometry this last result represents a serious restriction to the Randall-Sundrum’s braneworld model.     

Gauge coupling unification in grand unified theories with anomalous U1 symmetry

We show that in the framework of grand unified theory (GUT) with anomalous U(1)(A) gauge symmetry, the success of the gauge coupling unification in the minimal SU(5) GUT is naturally explained, even if the mass spectrum of superheavy fields does not respect SU(5) symmetry. Because the unification scale for most realizations of the theory becomes smaller than the usual GUT scale, it suggests that the present level of experiments is close to that sufficient to observe proton decay via dimension 6 operators, p-->e+pi.     

Grand unified theories without the desert

We present a grand unified theory (GUT) that has GUT fields with masses of the order of a TeV, but at the same time preserves (at the one-loop level) the success of gauge-coupling unification of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) and the smallness of proton decay operators. This scenario is based on a five-dimensional theory with the extra dimension compactified as in the Randall-Sundrum model. The MSSM gauge sector and its GUT extension live in the 5D bulk, while the matter sector is localized on a 4D boundary.the is a test again