Numerical Approach to Multi Dimensional Phase Transitions

We present an algorithm to analyze numerically the bounce solution of first-order phase transitions. Our approach is well suited to treat phase transitions with several fields. The algorithm consists of two parts. In the first part the bounce solution without damping is determined, in which case energy is conserved. In the second part the continuation to the physically relevant case with damping is performed. The presented approach is numerically stable and easily implemented.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures; some comments, a reference and a table adde

TeV physics and the Planck scale

Supersymmetry is one of the best motivated possibilities for new physics at the TeV scale. However, both concrete string constructions and phenomenological considerations suggest the possibility that the physics at the TeV scale could be more complicated than the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), e.g., due to extended gauge symmetries, new vector-like supermultiplets with non-standard SU(2)xU(1) assignments, and extended Higgs sectors. We briefly comment on some of these possibilities, and discuss in more detail the class of extensions of the MSSM involving an additional standard model singlet field. The latter provides a solution to the $\mu$ problem, and allows significant modifications of the MSSM in the Higgs and neutralino sectors, with important consequences for collider physics, cold dark matter, and electroweak baryogenesis.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures. To appear in New Journal of Physic