Higher Derivative Operators from Transmission of Supersymmetry Breaking on S_1/Z_2

We discuss the role that higher derivative operators play in field theory orbifold compactifications on S_1/Z_2 with local and non-local (Scherk-Schwarz) breaking of supersymmetry. Integrating out the bulk fields generates brane-localised higher derivative counterterms to the mass of the brane (or zero-mode of the bulk) scalar field, identified with the Higgs field in many realistic models. Both Yukawa and gauge interactions are considered and the one-loop results found can be used to study the ``running'' of the scalar field mass with respect to the momentum scale in 5D orbifolds. In particular this allows the study of the behaviour of the mass under UV scaling of the momentum. The relation between supersymmetry breaking and the presence of higher derivative counterterms to the mass of the scalar field is investigated. This shows that, regardless of the breaking mechanism, (initial) supersymmetry cannot, in general, prevent the emergence of such operators. Some implications for phenomenology of the higher derivative operators are also presented.Comment: 29 pages, LaTeX. Added Section 4 ("Phenomenological implications: living with ghosts?") and Appendix

Higher Derivative Operators from Scherk-Schwarz Supersymmetry Breaking on T^2/Z_2

In orbifold compactifications on T^2/Z_2 with Scherk-Schwarz supersymmetry breaking, it is shown that (brane-localised) superpotential interactions and (bulk) gauge interactions generate at one-loop higher derivative counterterms to the mass of the brane (or zero-mode of the bulk) scalar field. These brane-localised operators are generated by integrating out the bulk modes of the initial theory which, although supersymmetric, is nevertheless non-renormalisable. It is argued that such operators, of non-perturbative origin and not protected by non-renormalisation theorems, are generic in orbifold compactifications and play a crucial role in the UV behaviour of the two-point Green function of the scalar field self-energy. Their presence in the action with unknown coefficients prevents one from making predictions about physics at (momentum) scales close to/above the compactification scale(s). Our results extend to the case of two dimensional orbifolds, previous findings for S^1/Z_2 and S^1/(Z_2 x Z_2') compactifications where brane-localised higher derivative operators are also dynamically generated at loop level, regardless of the details of the supersymmetry breaking mechanism. We stress the importance of these operators for the hierarchy and the cosmological constant problems in compactified theories.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX, one figure, published version in JHE

Supersymmetric codimension-two branes and U(1)_R mediation in 6D gauged supergravity

We construct a consistent supersymmetric action for brane chiral and vector multiplets in a six-dimensional chiral gauged supergravity. A nonzero brane tension can be accommodated by allowing for a brane-localized Fayet-Iliopoulos term proportional to the brane tension. When the brane chiral multiplet is charged under the bulk U(1)_R, we obtain a nontrivial coupling to the extra component of the U(1)_R gauge field strength as well as a singular scalar self-interaction term. Dimensionally reducing to 4D on a football supersymmetric solution, we discuss the implication of such interactions for obtaining the U(1)_R D-term in the 4D effective supergravity. By assuming the bulk gaugino condensates and nonzero brane F- and/or D-term for the uplifting potential, we have all the moduli stabilized with a vanishing cosmological constant. The brane scalar with nonzero R charge then gets a soft mass of order the gravitino mass. The overall sign of the soft mass squared depends on the sign of the R charge as well as whether the brane F- or D-term dominates.Comment: 28 pages, no figures, version to appear in JHE

Supersymmetric codimension-two branes in six-dimensional gauged supergravity

We consider the six-dimensional Salam-Sezgin supergravity in the presence of codimension-2 branes. In the case that the branes carry only tension, we provide a way to supersymmetrise them by adding appropriate localised Fayet-Iliopoulos terms and localised corrections to the Chern-Simons term and modifying accordingly the fermionic supersymmetry transformations. The resulting brane action has N=1 supersymmetry (SUSY). We find the axisymmetric vacua of the system and show that one has unwarped background solutions with "football"-shaped extra dimensions which always respect N=1 SUSY for any value of the equal brane tensions, in contrast with the non-supersymmetric brane action background. Finally, we generically find multiple zero modes of the gravitino in this background and discuss how one could obtain a single chiral zero mode present in the low energy spectrum.Comment: 21 pages, no figures, A sign error in the gauge potential at the lower brane corrected and its consequent effect discusse

An experience on natural sciences augmented reality contents for preschoolers

[EN] Early education is a key element for the future success of students in the education system. This work analyzes the feasibility of using augmented reality contents with preschool students (four and five years old) as a tool for improving their learning process. A quasi experimental design based on a nonequivalent groups posttest-only design was used. A didactic unit has been developed around the topic animals by the participant teachers. The control group followed all the didactic activities defined in the developed didactic materials, while the experimental group was provided in addition with some augmented reality contents. Results show improved learning outcomes in the experimental group with respect to the control group.The Spanish Ministry Economy and Competitiveness partially supported this work (Project ref. TIN2010-21296-C02-01).Cascales, A.; Laguna, I.; Pérez López, DC.; Perona Ruiz, PD.; Contero, M. (2013). An experience on natural sciences augmented reality contents for preschoolers. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 8022:103-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39420-1_12S1031128022Barnett, W.S.: Effectiveness of Early Educational Intervention. Science 333(6045), 975–978 (2011)OECD: Investing in high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). OECD Publishing, http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/0/28/48980282.pdf (retrieved)Campos, P., Pessanha, S.: Designing Augmented Reality Tangible Interfaces for Kindergarten Children. In: Shumaker, R. (ed.) Virtual and Mixed Reality, HCII 2011, Part I. LNCS, vol. 6773, pp. 12–19. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)Lim, J., Kim, S.: A Study on Markerless AR-based Infant Education System using CBIR. Communications in Computer and Information Science 78, 52–58 (2010)Chen, C.H., Su, C.C., Lee, P.Y., Wu, F.G.: Augmented Interface for Children Chinese Learning Technologies. In: 7th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, pp. 268–270. IEEE Press, New York (2007)Azuma, R.: A Survey of Augmented Reality. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 6(1), 355–385 (1997)Winkler, T., Herczeg, M., Kritzenberger, H.: Mixed Reality Environments as Collaborative and Constructive Learning Spaces for Elementary School Children. In: Barker, P., Rebelsky, S. (eds.) Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2002, pp. 1034–1039. AACE, Chesapeake (2002)Hsieh, M.C., Lee, J.S.: AR Marker Capacity Increasing for Kindergarten English Learning. In: International Multi Conference of Engineers and Computer Scientists, vol. 1, pp. 663–666 (2008)Hsieh, M.C., Lin, H.C.K.: Interaction Design Based on Augmented Reality Technologies for English Vocabulary Learning. In: Wong, S.L., et al. (eds.) Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Computers in Education, vol. 1, pp. 663–666. Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education (2010)Lee, H., Lee, J.: Mathematical Education Game Based on Augmented Reality. Technologies for E-Learning and Digital Entertainment, 442–450 (2008)Hyun, E., Choi, K., Kim, G.J., Han, J., Jo, M., Kim, N.: Delphi Survey on the Use of Robot Projector based Augmented Reality in Dramatic Activity for Young Children. International Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications 5(11), 272–282 (2011)Kim, H.M., Song, T.H., Jung, S.M., Kwon, K.H., Jeon, J.W.: Virtual Storyteller Using Marker Based AR and FPGA. In: IEEE 54th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, pp. 1–4. IEEE Press, New York (2011)Dunleavy, M., Dede, C., Mitchell, R.: Affordances and Limitations of Immersive Participatory Augmented Reality Simulations for Teaching and Learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology 18, 7–22 (2009)Martín-Gutiérrez, J., Saorín, J.L., Contero, M., Alcañiz, M., Pérez-López, D., Ortega, M.: Design and validation of an augmented book for spatial abilities development in engineering students. Computers & Graphics 34(1), 77–91 (2010)Cook, T.D., Campbell, D.T., Day, A.: Quasi-experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings, pp. 19–21. Houghton Mifflin, Boston (1979)Buendía, L., Colás, P., Hernández-Pina, F.: Métodos de Investigación en Psicopedagogía. McGraw Hill, Madrid (1997

Anomalies on orbifolds with gauge symmetry breaking

We embed two 4D chiral multiplets of opposite representations in the 5D N=2 $SU(N+K)$ gauge theory compactified on an orbifold $S^1/(Z_2\times Z'_2)$. There are two types of orbifold boundary conditions in the extra dimension to obtain the 4D N=1 $SU(N)\times SU(K)\times U(1)$ gauge theory from the bulk: in Type I, one has the bulk gauge group at $y=0$ and the unbroken gauge group at $y=\pi R/2$ while in Type II, one has the unbroken gauge group at both fixed points. In both types of orbifold boundary conditions, we consider the zero mode(s) as coming from a bulk $(K+N)$-plet and brane fields at the fixed point(s) with the unbroken gauge group. We check the consistency of this embedding of fields by the localized anomalies and the localized FI terms. We show that the localized anomalies in Type I are cancelled exactly by the introduction of a bulk Chern-Simons term. On the other hand, in some class of Type II, the Chern-Simons term is not enough to cancel all localized anomalies even if they are globally vanishing. We also find that for the consistent embedding of brane fields, there appear only the localized log FI terms at the fixed point(s) with a U(1) factor.Comment: LaTeX file of 19 pages with no figure, published versio