Chiral anomalies and constraints on the gauge group in higher-dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories

Chiral anomalies for gauge theories in any even dimension are computed and the results applied to supersymmetric theories in D = 6, 8 and 10. For D = 8 there is an anomalous chiral U(1) invariance, just as in D = 4, except for certain special groups. For D = 6 and D = 10 there is no anomalous chiral U(1) symmetry, but the gauge current is anomalous except for certain “anomaly-free” groups. For D = 6 the group is thereby constrained to be one of {SU(2), SU(3), exceptional}, while for D = 10 it is constrained to be one of {SU(n) n ≤ 5, USp(4), E₈}.     

Strong coupling expansions for the mass gap in lattice gauge theories

We derive strong coupling expansions for the mass gap in euclidean lattice gauge theories in any space-time dimension. For gauge groups SU(2), SU(3), Z₂ and Z₃ the series are calculated up to order g^?16. They are used to get rough estimates for the lowest glueball mass in continuum SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories, assuming a sudden crossover from strong to weak coupling behaviour in the lattice theory.     

Bosonic construction of the Lie algebras of some non-compact groups appearing in supergravity theories and their oscillator-like unitary representations

We give a construction of the Lie algebras of the non-compact groups appearing in four dimensional supergravity theories in terms of boson operators. Our construction parallels very closely their emergence in supergravity and is an extension of the well-known construction of the Lie algebras of the non-compact groups $\text{SP}\text{(2n,}\text{R}$ and $\text{SO}\text{(2n)}{}^1$ from boson operators transforming like a fundamental representation of their maximal compact subgroup U(n). However this extension is non-trivial only for n?4 and stops at n = 8 leading to the Lei algebras of SU(4) × SU(1, 1), SU(1, 1), SU(5, 1), SO(12)¹ and E₇(7). We then give a general construction of an infinite class of unitary irreducible representations of the respective non-compact groups (except for E₇₍₇₎ and SO(12)¹ obtained from the extended construction). We illustrate our construction with the examples of SU(5, 1) and SO(12)¹.     

Topological features of the nonlinear sigma model with Hopf term using chiral lagrangians

We rewrite the O(3) nonlinear sigma model in 2 + 1 dimensions in terms of SU(2) matrices, thereby solving the constraint. The lagrangian has the symmetry SU(2)_Global×U(1)_Local. Static soliton solutions to this lagrangian have energy 4πN as usual. We then show that the Hopf instantons, in the formalism of principle chiral fields, are just the skymions of QCD in 3 + 1 dimensions.     

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.     

Quarks and leptons

We review the physics of quarks and leptons within the framework of gauge theories for the weak and electromagnetic interactions. The Weinberg-Salam SU(2) × U(1) theory is used as a “reference point” but models based on larger gauge groups, especially SU(2)_L × SU(2)_R × U(1), are discussed. We distinguish among thre “generations” of fundamental fermions: The first generation (e^?, ν_e, u, d), the second generation (μ^?, ν_μ, c, s) and the third generation (τ^?, ν_τ, t, b). For each generation we discuss the classification of all fermions, the charged and neutral weak currents, possible right-handed currents, parity and CP-violation, fermion masses and Cabibbo-like angles and related problems. We review theoretical ideas as well as experimental evidence, emphasizing open theoretical problems and possible experimental tests. The possibility of unifying the weak, electromagnetic and strong interactions in a grand unification scheme is reviewed. The problems and their possible solutions are presented, generation by generation, but a brief subject-index (following the table of contents) enables the interested reader to follow any specific topic throughout the three generations.     

Grand unified model with a stable proton and no axion problem

We present a grand unified model of the strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions based on a local SU(8)_L×SU(8)_R gauge theory which possesses a global U(8)_L × U(8)_R invariance. We break the symmetry down to the standard SU(3)_C × SU(2)_L × U(1) model, with the proton remaining stable and the left-handed neutrinos obliged to remain massless. A novel feature of our model is the simultaneous absence of both strong CP violations and of axions.     

Gauge hierarchies in the E8 × E′8 superstring theory

We present a systematic approach to the problem of gauge hierarchy structure in E₈ × E′₈ superstring theory. It is shown that only very limited E₆ breaking schemes are allowed from the group-theoretical and phenomenological point of view. The ordinary GUTs are not permitted and moreover the unification of SU(3), and SU(2)_w cannot occur at the energy scale below M_PI. We give four promising models and add some comments on each of them.     

Systematic analysis of lepton family number violating processes in the framework of local gauge theories

General unified electroweak gauge theories with neutral lepton mixing are reexamined with regard to processes that change lepton family numbers L_f. The most general allowed mass sectors of models based on SU(2) × U(1) and SU(2)_L × SU(2)_R × U(1) are studied and the consequences for L_f changing processes such as μ → eγ, ν_f′ → ν_f + γ are worked out. We discuss models that break individual lepton family numbers but still conserve total lepton number L, as well as models in which L is broken too.     

Realizations of the exceptional modular invariant A(1)1 partition functions

We show that the E₆ and E₈ modular invariant combinations of A⁽¹⁾₁ characters in the classification of Cappelli, Itzykson and Zuber can be realized as partition functions of k=1 conformally invariant WZW models on the group manifolds of Sp(4) and G₂, respectively. Together with the D₄ combination, which is known to be realized by the WZW model on SU(3), these are the only such cases where the SU(2) local symmetry extends to a larger one. The E₇ combination is briefly discussed.     

Threshold effects in SUSY and non-SUSY GUTs

We discuss recent contributions on threshold effects in grand unfiied theories including minimal SUSY SU (5), non-SUSY modifications of the grand desert in SU(5) and SO(10), and SO(10) with single intermediate symmetires. Consequences of theorems on vanishing GUT-scale corrections to sin² θ_w in SO(10) with SU(2) _L XSU(2) _R XSU(4) _c (g_2l =g_2R ) intermediate symmetry are discussed and vanishing corrections on the inter-mediate scale are explicitly demonstrated where predictions are more precise. Threshold and higher dimensional operator effects in SUSY SU(5) recently derived by a number of authors are presented.     

Nonabelian electric and magnetic flux in unified SU(5) gauge theory

We study the long-distance behaviour of pure unified SU(5) gauge theory in the limit when the electroweak subgroup is unbroken. We show that the symmetry breaking pattern SU(5)→SU(3)_c×SU(2)×U(1)_Y, with SU(3)_c and SU(2) ×U(1)_Y realized, respectively, in confining and coulombic phases, is a possible dynamical phase of the SU(5) theory. The proof relies on showing that the duality equation of 't Hooft, relating the electric and magnetic flux, is exactly satisfied for the above symmetry breaking pattern. The infrared structure of SU(5), broken down to SU(3)_c×SU(2)×U(1)_Y, is not self-dual.     

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).     

The Majoron and left-handed neutrino masses in SU(5)

We consider the spontaneous breaking of B?L in SU(5) in connection with left-handed neutrino masses. We show that the ensuing Goldstone boson, “the majoron”, is harmless. The low-energy predictions are the same as in the SU(2)_L × U(1) majoron model which, in particular, predicts the existence of doubly and singly charged scalars, with masses ?250 GeV and with a mass ratio of √2. Going to SU(5), one would expect these scalars to escape to the grand unified mass. This does not happen and, surprisingly, even the ratio √2 is preserved.     

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.     

Fundamental fermion representations in generalisations of the SU(5) grand unified gauge theory

Generalisations of the SU(5) grand unified gauge theory are discussed. It is assumed that the gauge group is simple, and that the theory is both anomaly free and asymptotically free. All possible fundamental fermion representations are determined given that the fermions are massless at the unification level, but acquire mass at the level of the exact SU(3) × U(1) symmetry. No a priori restriction to standard colour SU(3) representations is made. It is found that E₆, SO(10) and SU(n) with n ? 5 are the only acceptable gauge groups. Standard colour solutions are legion, but dull, incorporating at the SU(5) level, nothing other than p generations or copies of the familiar representation $\text{10}\text{+}\text{5}$. Exotic colour solutions are sparse, but interesting. Nine of these, all associated with SO(10), can accomodate those quarks and leptons currently thought to be fundamental, along with such things as colour sextets and octets, as well as doubly charged leptons.     

The price of natural flavour conservation in neutral weak interactions

The natural conservation of flavours to O(G_F²) in neutral weak interactions severely constrains choices of gauge groups as well as their fermion representations. In the absence of exactly conserved quantum numbers other than charge, and of |ΔQ| ? 2 charged currents, essentially the only weak and electromagnetic gauge groups whose neutral interactions naturally conserve all flavours are SU(2)_L ? U(1) and SU(2)_L ? [U(1)]². The plausible extensions of these gauge groups to grand unified models including the strong interactions are based on SU(5) and SO(10) respectively. Making the SU(5) model completely natural, including in the Higgs sector, gives the prediction $\text{m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}\text{/m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{? m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>s</mtext>}}\text{/m}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{? m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>b</mtext>}}\text{/m}{}_{\mathrm{\tau }}\text{? 2605}$ where τ is the probable new heavy lepton and b is the conjectured third flavour of charge $\text{?1}\text{3}\text{quark}$. The SO(10) model contains a potential SU(2)_L ? SU(2)_R ? U(1) weak and electromagnetic gauge group, and has a complicated Higgs structure which does not naturally conserve quark flavours.     

Bound-state approach to strangeness in the Skyrme model

We show that baryons carrying heavy flavors, such as strangeness and charm, can be described by bound states of the corresponding heavy mesons in the background field of the basic SU(2) skyrmion. This method is quantitatively successful to O(N_c⁰), in the sense of the large-N_c expansion, but at O(1/N_c) it experiences problems associated with our lack of knowledge of higher-derivative terms in the Skyrme action. We derive a model-independent mass relation for strange baryons which is in excellent agreement with experiment.     

Early unification and the Weinberg angle in the SU(4)4 grand unified model

In the framework of the grand unified gauge group SU(4)⁴ we discuss possibilities to reconcile the low unification scale (10⁵?10⁷ GeV) with the acceptable value of sin²θ_w. We consider various specific models which differ by the values of the intermediate mass scale, the choice of the fermion multiplets and by the embedding of the electroweak group SU(2) into SU(4)⁴. The class of theories with early unification and correct sin²θ_w is constructed. They all predict new non-sequential fermions which are SU(2)_L,R singlets and have unconventional electric charges. Cosmological implications of such theories are discussed and it is argued that new particles may well account for the positive results of searches for fractional charge in terrestrial matter.