Supersymmetric Partners of Oblique Corrections

We discuss a potential new probe of supersymmetric physics. In particular, we discuss the possibility of measuring hard supersymmetry violation which occurs at one loop through "super-oblique" corrections to the gauge and gaugino propagators. In models with heavy scalar partners, or with many gauge-charged particles which participate in supersymmetry breaking, these effects can be substantial due to logarithmic and multiplicity factor enhancements.Comment: 8 Pages, LaTeX, sprocl.st

Static Solutions for Brane Models with a Bulk Scalar Field

We present static solutions of the 5-dimensional Einstein equations in the brane-world scenario by using two different approaches for the stabilization of the extra dimension. Assuming a ``phenomenological'' stabilization mechanism, that creates a non-vanishing $\hat T^5_5$ in the bulk, we construct a two-brane model, which allows both branes to have positive self-energies. We then consider a candidate theory for the dynamical stabilization, through the introduction of a massless scalar field in the bulk, which interacts with the branes. We find exact static solutions for the metric and scalar field in the bulk and demonstrate that the inter-brane distance is determined by the parameters of scalar field-brane interactions. However, these solutions are always accompanied by a correlation between the bulk cosmological constant, the brane self-energies and the interaction terms of the scalar field with the branes and thus cannot be considered as candidates for the phenomenologically viable stabilized geometry. We find that the aforementioned correlation cannot be avoided even in the case of a single-brane solution with positive self-energy where the fifth dimension ends on a singularity.Comment: 16 pages, revised version, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Brane-Universe in Six Dimensions

Growing non-singular solution of 6-dimensional Einstein equations for the 4-brane in infinite transversal 2-space is found. This solution provides gravitational trapping of matter and 4-dimensional gravity on the brane without extra delta-like source. The suitable solution exists in the case of the (2+4)-space and not exists for the (1+5)-signature.Comment: Version accepted in Phys.Lett. B. Minor correction

Proposition 8: California Law after In re Lance W. and People v. Castro

Until recently, California provided a relatively high level of constitutional protection to criminal defendants. With the passage of Proposition 8 in 1982, the California voters expressed their desire to decrease this level of protection in order to remove impediments to the effective prosecution of criminally accuseds. This comment will examine two of the major provisions of Proposition 8 and their effect on California law in light of major cases decided by the California Supreme Court in 1985

Wave function of the radion in a brane world

We calculate the linearized metric perturbation corresponding to a massless four-dimensional scalar field, the radion, in a five-dimensional two-brane model of Randall and Sundrum. In this way we obtain relative strengths of the radion couplings to matter residing on each of the branes. The results are in agreement with the analysis of Garriga and Tanaka of gravitational and Brans--Dicke forces between matter on the branes. We also introduce a model with infinite fifth dimension and ``almost'' confined graviton, and calculate the radion properties in that model.Comment: 5 pages revtex, no figures, equation correcte

Interstate Protectionism: The Case of Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are financial instruments created by state policies to offer incentives for generating solar energy. In an effort to support in-state solar energy sectors and boost local employment opportunities, some states have closed off their SREC markets to out-of-state solar facilities. We examine the merits of such protectionist policy from the protectionist states perspective. We find that SREC market closure leads to higher in-state SREC prices, greater solar installation, and lower electricity prices. The study illustrates the economic incentives for protecting in-state SREC markets from out-of-state solar energy producers

Solar Bait: How States Attract Solar Investments from Large Corporations

Past literature in solar adoption has focused primarily on households without significant attention to the potential of commercial properties as sites for solar generation. Herein we examine firms’ decisions to install solar panels on their properties using state-level data. We are interested in the effects of state-level characteristics, including policies and regulations, on firm decisions regarding solar investments. We find that state characteristics that influence the return-on-investment from solar installations, most notably solar intensity, are important for commercial adoption decisions. Further results suggest that certain state-level policies, in particular solar carve-outs in renewable portfolio standards, financing programs and tax breaks, can incentivize firms to install solar panels. The strongest result we observe across empirical specifications is that firm installation decisions are correlated with personal electric vehicle ownership rates. This may indicate a ‘green’ business marketing strategy, whereby firms install solar to improve their social responsibility image

Supersymmetry and CP Violating Asymmetries in Bd,sB_{d,s} Decays

We study possible effects of supersymmetry (SUSY) in CP asymmetries in non-leptonic $B_{d,s}$ decays in a variety of SUSY flavour models considered in literature. We use both mass insertion and vertex mixing methods to calculate squark-gluino box diagrams contribution to $B_{d,s} - \bar{B}_{d,s}$ mixings. With the squark mixing parameter $\eta=0.22$, and with large new CP phases, it turns out that the CP asymmetries to be measured in upcoming B-factories, HERA-B and LHC-B, can be completely dominated by the SUSY contribution in almost every considered model. Discrimination between the different models can be done by comparing experimental results in different decay modes. In some models squark masses up to $\sim 5$ TeV can be probed through these experiments provided the SUSY contribution to $B - \bar{B}$ mixing is at 10% level, $|M^{SUSY}_{12}/M_{12}^{SM}|\sim 0.1.$ This implies that models with heavy squarks have a fair chance to be tested in the future CP experiments before LHC.Comment: New references added, to be published in PL

A Simple and Realistic Model of Supersymmetry Breaking

We present a simple and realistic model of supersymmetry breaking. In addition to the minimal supersymmetric standard model, we only introduce a hidden sector gauge group SU(5) and three fields X, F and \bar{F}. Supersymmetry is broken at a local minimum of the potential, and its effects are transmitted to the supersymmetric standard model sector through both standard model gauge loops and local operators suppressed by the cutoff scale, which is taken to be the unification scale. The form of the local operators is controlled by a U(1) symmetry. The generated supersymmetry breaking and mu parameters are comparable in size, and no flavor or CP violating terms arise. The spectrum of the first two generation superparticles is that of minimal gauge mediation with the number of messengers N_mess = 5 and the messenger scale 10^11 GeV < M_mess < 10^13 GeV. The spectrum of the Higgs bosons and third generation superparticles, however, can deviate from it. The lightest supersymmetric particle is the gravitino with a mass of order (1-10) GeV.Comment: 19 pages, version to appear in Phys. Lett.

Dynamically Warped Theory Space and Collective Supersymmetry Breaking

We study deconstructed gauge theories in which a warp factor emerges dynamically and naturally. We present nonsupersymmetric models in which the potential for the link fields has translational invariance, broken only by boundary effects that trigger an exponential profile of vacuum expectation values. The spectrum of physical states deviates exponentially from that of the continuum for large masses; we discuss the effects of such exponential towers on gauge coupling unification. We also present a supersymmetric example in which a warp factor is driven by Fayet-Iliopoulos terms. The model is peculiar in that it possesses a global supersymmetry that remains unbroken despite nonvanishing D-terms. Inclusion of gravity and/or additional messenger fields leads to the collective breaking of supersymmetry and to unusual phenomenology.Comment: 28 pages LaTeX, JHEP format, 7 eps figures (v2: reference added