3 research outputs found
Higher-Spin Theory and Space-Time Metamorphoses
Introductory lectures on higher-spin gauge theory given at 7 Aegean workshop
on non-Einstein theories of gravity. The emphasis is on qualitative features of
the higher-spin gauge theory and peculiarities of its space-time
interpretation. In particular, it is explained that Riemannian geometry cannot
play a fundamental role in the higher-spin gauge theory. The higher-spin
symmetries are argued to occur at ultra high energy scales beyond the Planck
scale. This suggests that the higher-spin gauge theory can help to understand
Quantum Gravity. Various types of higher-spin dualities are briefly discussed.Comment: 37 pages, no figures; V2: references adde
Family Unification in Five and Six Dimensions
In family unification models, all three families of quarks and leptons are
grouped together into an irreducible representation of a simple gauge group,
thus unifying the Standard Model gauge symmetries and a gauged family symmetry.
Large orthogonal groups, and the exceptional groups and have been
much studied for family unification. The main theoretical difficulty of family
unification is the existence of mirror families at the weak scale. It is shown
here that family unification without mirror families can be realized in simple
five-dimensional and six-dimensional orbifold models similar to those recently
proposed for SU(5) and SO(10) grand unification. It is noted that a family
unification group that survived to near the weak scale and whose coupling
extrapolated to high scales unified with those of the Standard model would be
evidence accessible in principle at low energy of the existence of small
(Planckian or GUT-scale) extra dimensions.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, minor corrections, references adde