The lightest Higgs mass in supersymmetric models with extra dimensions

In the four-dimensional supersymmetric standard model extended with gauge singlets the lightest Higgs boson mass, $M_H$, has an important contribution proportional to the squared of the superpotential coupling $\lambda$ of singlets to Higgs fields, $\lambda SH_1\cdot H_2$. The requirement of perturbativity up to the unification scale yields an upper bound on $M_H\sim 140$ GeV. In extensions to theories with (longitudinal) extra dimensions at the TeV where such coupling exists and massive Kaluza-Klein states fall into N=2 representations, if either of the Higgs or singlet fields live in the bulk of the extra dimensions, the $\beta$-function of $\lambda$ is suppressed due to the absence of anomalous dimension of hypermultiplets to leading order. This implies a slower running of $\lambda$ and an enhancement of its low energy value. The $M_H$ upper bound increases to values $M_H\lesssim 165$ GeV.Comment: Latex2e, 11 pages, 1 figur

Charge Asymmetry in the Brane World and Formation of Charged Black Holes

In theories with an infinite extra dimension, free particles localized on the brane can leak out to the extra space. We argue that if there were color confinement in the bulk, electrons would be more able to escape than quarks and than protons (which are composed states). Thus, this process generates an electric charge asymmetry on brane matter densities. A primordial charge asymmetry during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis era is predicted. We use current bounds on this and on electron disappearance to constrain the parameter space of these models. Although the generated asymmetry is generically small, it could be particularly enhanced on large densities as in astrophysical objects, like massive stars. We suggest the possibility that such accumulation of charge may be linked, upon supernova collapse, to the formation of a charged Black Hole and the generation of Gamma-Ray Bursts.Comment: Four pages, one figure. Minor changes, conclusions remai

TeV scale unification in four dimensions versus extra dimensions

The gauge coupling constant unification at the low ($O$(TeV)) scale can be obtained just in four dimensions, without help of the power like renormalization group evolution in extra dimensions, due to the presence of some extra particle states at intermediate scales. We show explicit examples of such extra states in the range of 100 GeV -- 1 TeV which can be easily observed on future colliders and can have important impact on the particle phenomenology. The problems of the low scale grand unification and proton stability are also discussed.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, 2 figure