R-symmetry breaking, runaway directions and global symmetries in O'Raifeartaigh models

We discuss O'Raifeartaigh models with general R-charge assignments, introduced by Shih to break R-symmetry spontaneously. We argue that most of these models have runaway directions related to the R-symmetry. In addition, we study the simplest model with a U(N) global symmetry and show that in a range of parameters R-symmetry is spontaneously broken in a metastable vacuum.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figur

Supersymmetry Breaking, R-Symmetry Breaking and Metastable Vacua

Models of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking generically have an R-symmetry, which is problematic for obtaining gaugino masses and avoiding light R-axions. The situation is improved in models of metastable supersymmetry breaking, which generically have only an approximate R-symmetry. Based on this we argue, with mild assumptions, that metastable supersymmetry breaking is inevitable. We also illustrate various general issues regarding spontaneous and explicit R-symmetry breaking, using simple toy models of supersymmetry breaking.Comment: 23 page

A Sequence of Duals for Sp(2N) Supersymmetric Gauge Theories with Adjoint Matter

We consider supersymmetric Sp(2N) gauge theories with F matter fields in the defining representation, one matter field in the adjoint representation, and no superpotential. We construct a sequence of dual descriptions of this theory using the dualities of Seiberg combined with the ``deconfinement'' method introduced by Berkooz. Our duals hint at a new non-perturbative phenomenon that seems to be taking place at asymptotically low energies in these theories: for small F some of the degrees of freedom form massless, non-interacting bound states while the theory remains in an interacting non-Abelian Coulomb phase. This phenomenon is the result of strong coupling gauge dynamics in the original description, but has a simple classical origin in the dual descriptions. The methods used for constructing these duals can be generalized to any model involving arbitrary 2-index tensor representations of Sp(2N), SO(N), or SU(N) groups.Comment: version (with additional references) to appear in Phys. Rev. D, 20 pages, LaTeX, one embedded eps figur

More on Chiral-Nonchiral Dual Pairs

Expanding upon earlier work of Pouliot and Strassler, we construct chiral magnetic duals to nonchiral supersymmetric electric theories based upon SO(7), SO(8) and SO(9) gauge groups with various numbers of vector and spinor matter superfields. Anomalies are matched and gauge invariant operators are mapped within each dual pair. Renormalization group flows along flat directions are also examined. We find that confining phase quantum constraints in the electric theories are recovered from semiclassical equations of motion in their magnetic counterparts when the dual gauge groups are completely Higgsed.Comment: 25 pages, harvmac and tables macros, 1 figur

Supersymmetry and R-symmetry breaking in models with non-canonical Kahler potential

We analyze several aspects of R-symmetry and supersymmetry breaking in generalized O'Raifeartaigh models with non-canonical Kahler potential. Some conditions on the Kahler potential are derived in order for the non-supersymmetric vacua to be degenerate. We calculate the Coleman-Weinberg (CW) effective potential for general quiral non-linear sigma models and then study the 1-loop quantum corrections to the pseudo-moduli space. For R-symmetric models, the quadratic dependence of the CW potential with the ultraviolet cutoff scale disappears. We also show that the conditions for R-symmetry breaking are independent of this scale and remain unchanged with respect to those of canonical models. This is, R-symmetry can be broken when generic R-charge assignments to the fields are made, while it remains unbroken when only fields with R-charge 0 and 2 are present. We further show that these models can keep the runaway behavior of their canonical counterparts and also new runaway directions can be induced. Due to the runaway directions, the non-supersymmetric vacua is metastable.Comment: 19 pages, revised version with minor changes, references added, published in JHE

A search for solar wind velocity changes between 0.7 and 1 AU

Simultaneous observations of the solar wind velocity as measured at the Pioneer 9 and Ogo 5 spacecraft during five solar rotations in 1968 and 1969 are presented. During this time, Pioneer 9 was traveling in toward the sun to approximately 0.7 AU while the earth orbiter Ogo 5 was spending long periods in the interplanetary medium. A comparison of the 3-hour averages of solar wind velocity obtained at both spacecraft indicates that the same basic solar wind velocity structure was seen at both spacecraft. There was no statistically significant dependence of average velocity on radial distance from the sun. The amplitude of variations about the average velocity apparently decreased with increasing distance from the sun; some but probably not all of this decreased variation is consistent with the exchange of momentum between high-velocity and low-velocity streams. The correlation coefficient of pairs of velocity averages computed from a corotation model decreases with increasing distance between the two spacecraft

Chirally Symmetric Phase of Supersymmetric Gluodynamics

We argue that supersymmetric gluodynamics (theory of gluons and gluinos) has a condensate-free phase. Unlike the standard phase, the discrete axial symmetry of the Lagrangian is unbroken in this phase, and the gluino condensate does not develop. Extra unconventional vacua are supersymmetric and are characterized by the presence of (bosonic and fermionic) massless bound states. A set of arguments in favor of the conjecture includes: (i) analysis of the effective Lagrangian of the Veneziano-Yankielowicz type which we amend to properly incorporate all symmetries of the model; (ii) consideration of an unsolved problem with the Witten index; (iii) interpretation of a mismatch between the strong-coupling and weak coupling instanton calculations of the gluino condensate detected previously. Impact on Seiberg's results is briefly discussed.Comment: Minor typos corrected; final version to appear in Phys. Rev.

On the Z_2 Monopole of Spin(10) Gauge Theories

An "expanded" description is introduced to examine the spinor-monopole identification proposed by Strassler for four-dimensional $\cal N$ = 1 supersymmetric Spin(10) gauge theories with matter in F vector and N spinor representations. It is shown that a Z_2 monopole in the "expanded" theory is associated with massive spinors of the Spin(10) theory. For N=2, two spinor case, we confirm this identification by matching the transformation properties of the two theories under SU(2) flavor symmetry. However, for N $\ge$ 3, the transformation properties are not matched between the spinors and the monopole. This disagreement might be due to the fact that the SU(N) flavor symmetry of the Spin(10) theory is partially realized as an SU(2) symmetry in the "expanded" theory.Comment: 16 pages, LaTex, no figur

N=1 Supersymmetric Product Group Theories in the Coulomb Phase

We study the low-energy behavior of N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories with product gauge groups SU(N)^M and M chiral superfields transforming in the fundamental representation of two of the SU(N) factors. These theories are in the Coulomb phase with an unbroken U(1)^(N-1) gauge group. For N >= 3, M >= 3 the theories are chiral. The low-energy gauge kinetic functions can be obtained from hyperelliptic curves which we derive by considering various limits of the theories. We present several consistency checks of the curves including confinement through the addition of mass perturbations and other limits.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, minor changes. Eqs. (20) and (42) correcte