MSGUT a la Pati-Salam : from Futility to Precision

We compute the complete gauge and chiral superheavy mass spectrum and couplings of the Minimal Susy GUT (based on the \bf {210- \oot- 126-10} irreps as the Higgs system) by decomposing SO(10) labels in terms of Pati Salam subgroup labels. The spectra are sensitive functions of the single complex parameter that controls MSGUT symmetry breaking. We scan for the dependence of the threshold corrections to the Weinberg angle and Unification scale as functions of this parameter. We find that for generic values of the GUT scale parameters the modifications are within 10% of the one loop values and can be much smaller for significant regions of the parameter space. This shows that contrary to longstanding conjectures, high precision calculations are not futile but rather necessary and feasible in the MSGUT. The couplings of the matter supermultiplets are made explicit and used to identify the channels for exotic ($\Delta B\neq 0$) processes and to write down the associated bare $d=5$ operators (some of both are novel). The mass formulae for all matter fermions are derived. This sets the stage for a comprehensive RG based phenomenological analysis of the MSGUT.Comment: Version published in Nuclear Physics B with title changed to : "SO(10) MSGUT : spectra, couplings and threshold effects". Additional notes added on consistency checks. Factor of Sqrt 2 in eqns. 78-79 of Journal version correcte

Top quark mass coupling and classification of weakly-coupled heterotic superstring vacua

The quest for the Standard Model among the huge number of string vacua is usually based on a set of phenomenological criteria related to the massless spectrum of string models. In this work we study criteria associated with interactions in the effective low energy theory and in particular with the presence of the coupling that provides mass to the top quark. Working in the context of the Free Fermionic Formulation of the heterotic superstring, we demonstrate that, in a big class of phenomenologically promising $Z_2\times Z_2$ compactifications, these criteria can be expressed entirely in terms of the generalised GSO projection coefficients entering the definition of the models. They are shown to be very efficient in identifying phenomenologically viable vacua, especially in the framework of computer-based search, as they are met by approximately one every $10^4$ models. We apply our results in the investigation of a class of supersymmetric Pati-Salam vacua, comprising $10^{16}$ configurations, and show that when combined with other phenomenological requirements they lead to a relatively small set of about $10^7$ Standard Model compatible models that can be fully classified.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, minor changes, to be published in The European Physical Journal

Dynamical fermion mass generation at a tricritical point in strongly coupled U(1) lattice gauge theory

Fermion mass generation in the strongly coupled U(1) lattice gauge theory with fermion and scalar fields of equal charge is investigated by means of numerical simulation with dynamical fermions. Chiral symmetry of this model is broken by the gauge interaction and restored by the light scalar. We present evidence for the existence of a particular, tricritical point of the corresponding phase boundary where the continuum limit might possibly be constructed. It is of interest as a model for dynamical symmetry breaking and mass generation due to a strong gauge interaction. In addition to the massive and unconfined fermion F and Goldstone boson $\pi$, a gauge ball of mass $m_S \simeq 1/2 m_F$ and some other states are found. Tricritical exponents appear to be non-classical.Comment: 21 page

N=1 supersymmetric SU(4)xSU(2)LxSU(2)R effective theory from the weakly coupled heterotic superstring

In the context of the free-fermionic formulation of the heterotic superstring, we construct a three generation N=1 supersymmetric SU(4)xSU(2)LxSU(2)R model supplemented by an SU(8) hidden gauge symmetry and five Abelian factors. The symmetry breaking to the standard model is achieved using vacuum expectation values of a Higgs pair in (4bar,2R)+(4,2R) at a high scale. One linear combination of the Abelian symmetries is anomalous and is broken by vacuum expectation values of singlet fields along the flat directions of the superpotential. All consistent string vacua of the model are completely classified by solving the corresponding system of F- and D-flatness equations including non-renormalizable terms up to sixth order. The requirement of existence of electroweak massless doublets further restricts the phenomenologically viable vacua. The third generation fermions receive masses from the tree-level superpotential. Further, a complete calculation of all non-renormalizable fermion mass terms up to fifth order shows that in certain string vacua the hierarchy of the fermion families is naturally obtained in the model as the second and third generation fermions earn their mass from fourth and fifth order terms. Along certain flat directions it is shown that the ratio of the SU(4) breaking scale and the reduced Planck mass is equal to the up quark ratio m_c/m_t at the string scale. An additional prediction of the model, is the existence of a U(1) symmetry carried by the fields of the hidden sector, ensuring thus the stability of the lightest hidden state. It is proposed that the hidden states may account for the invisible matter of the universe.Comment: Latex2e file, 50 pages, uses rotating.st

The Fermion Generations Problem in the Gust in the Free World-Sheet Fermion Formulation

In the framework of the four dimensional heterotic superstring with free fermions we present a revised version of the rank eight Grand Unified String Theories (GUST) which contain the $SU(3)_H$-gauge family symmetry. We also develop some methods for building of corresponding string models. We explicitly construct GUST with gauge symmetry $G = SU(5) \times U(1)\times (SU(3) \times U(1))_H$ and $G = SO(10)\times (SU(3) \times U(1))_H$ or $E(6)\times SU(3)_H$ $\subset E(8)$ and consider the full massless spectrum for our string models. We consider for the observable gauge symmetry the diagonal subgroup $G^{symm}$ of the rank 16 group $G \times G$ $\subset SO(16) \times SO(16)$ or $\subset E(8) \times E(8)$. We discuss the possible fermion matter and Higgs sectors in these theories. We study renormalizable and nonrenormolizable contributions to the superpotential. There has to exist "superweak" light chiral matter ($m_H^f < M_W$) in GUST under consideration. The understanding of quark and lepton mass spectra and family mixing leaves a possibility for the existence of an unusually low mass breaking scale of the $SU(3)_H$ family gauge symmetry (some TeV).Comment: 68 page

Electroweak Baryogenesis: Concrete in a SUSY Model with a Gauge Singlet

SUSY models with a gauge singlet easily allow for a strong first order electroweak phase transition (EWPT) if the vevs of the singlet and Higgs fields are of comparable size. We discuss the profile of the stationary expanding bubble wall and CP-violation in the effective potential, in particular transitional CP-violation inside the bubble wall during the EWPT. The dispersion relations for charginos contain CP-violating terms in the WKB approximation. These enter as source terms in the Boltzmann equations for the (particle--antiparticle) chemical potentials and fuel the creation of a baryon asymmetry through the weak sphaleron in the hot phase. This is worked out for concrete parameters.Comment: 46 pages, LaTeX, 11 figures, discussion of source terms and transport equations modified, version to appear in Nucl. Phys.

Theory and phenomenology of two-Higgs-doublet models

We discuss theoretical and phenomenological aspects of two-Higgs-doublet extensions of the Standard Model. In general, these extensions have scalar mediated flavour changing neutral currents which are strongly constrained by experiment. Various strategies are discussed to control these flavour changing scalar currents and their phenomenological consequences are analysed. In particular, scenarios with natural flavour conservation are investigated, including the so-called type I and type II models as well as lepton-specific and inert models. Type III models are then discussed, where scalar flavour changing neutral currents are present at tree level, but are suppressed by either specific ansatze for the Yukawa couplings or by the introduction of family symmetries. We also consider the phenomenology of charged scalars in these models. Next we turn to the role of symmetries in the scalar sector. We discuss the six symmetry-constrained scalar potentials and their extension into the fermion sector. The vacuum structure of the scalar potential is analysed, including a study of the vacuum stability conditions on the potential and its renormalization-group improvement. The stability of the tree level minimum of the scalar potential in connection with electric charge conservation and its behaviour under CP is analysed. The question of CP violation is addressed in detail, including the cases of explicit CP violation and spontaneous CP violation. We present a detailed study of weak basis invariants which are odd under CP. A careful study of spontaneous CP violation is presented, including an analysis of the conditions which have to be satisfied in order for a vacuum to violate CP. We present minimal models of CP violation where the vacuum phase is sufficient to generate a complex CKM matrix, which is at present a requirement for any realistic model of spontaneous CP violation.Comment: v3: 180 pages, 506 references, new chapter 7 with recent LHC results; referee comments taken into account; submitted to Physics Report