Seesaw induced Higgs Mechanism

We discuss a two scalar doublets model which induces the Higgs mechanism by means of a seesaw mechanism. This model naturally predicts a light Higgs scalar whose mass is suppressed by the grand unification scale. The model predicts an intermediate scale between the electroweak symmetry breaking scale and the grand unification scale at $10^9$ GeV. Below this intermediate energy scale the usual standard model appears as an effective theory. A seesaw mechanism in the scalar sector of the model not only induces the standard Higgs mechanism, but also solves the hierarchy problem. An implementation of this mechanism in models where the Planck scale is in the TeV region is discussed.Comment: 4 page

Gravitational Corrections to Fermion Masses in Grand Unified Theories

We reconsider quantum gravitational threshold effects to the unification of fermion masses in Grand Unified Theories. We show that the running of the Planck mass can have a sizable effect on these thresholds which are thus much more important than naively expected. These corrections make any extrapolation from low energy measurements challenging.Comment: 7 page

Minimal Grand Unification Model in an Anthropic Landscape

It has been recently pointed out by Arkani-Hamed and Dimopoulos that if the universe is a landscape of vacua, and if therefore fine-tuning is not a valid guidance principle for searching for physics beyond the standard model, supersymmetric unification only requires the fermionic superpartners. We argue that in that landscape scenario, the fermionic superpartners are not needed for unification, which can be achieved in SO(10) either via a direct breaking to the standard model at the grand unification scale or through an intermediate gauge symmetry. In most minimal SO(10) models, the proton lifetime is long enough to avoid the experimental bounds. These models are the truly minimal fine-tuned extensions of the standard model in the sense proposed by Davoudiasl et al..Comment: 11 page

Unitarity bounds on low scale quantum gravity

We study the unitarity of models with low scale quantum gravity both in four dimensions and in models with a large extra-dimensional volume. We find that models with low scale quantum gravity have problems with unitarity below the scale at which gravity becomes strong. An important consequence of our work is that their first signal at the Large Hadron Collider would not be of a gravitational nature such as graviton emission or small black holes, but rather linked to the mechanism which fixes the unitarity problem. We also study models with scalar fields with non minimal couplings to the Ricci scalar. We consider the strength of gravity in these models and study the consequences for inflation models with non-minimally coupled scalar fields. We show that a single scalar field with a large non-minimal coupling can lower the Planck mass in the TeV region. In that model, it is possible to lower the scale at which gravity becomes strong down to 14 TeV without violating unitarity below that scale.Comment: 15 page

Grand Unification and Time Variation of the Gauge Couplings

Astrophysical indications that the fine structure constant is time dependent are discussed in the framework of grand unification models. A variation of the electromagnetic coupling constant could either be generated by a corresponding time variation of the unified coupling constant or by a time variation of the unification scale, or by both. The case in which the time variation of the electromagnetic coupling constant is caused by a time variation of the unification scale is of special interest. It is supported in addition by recent hints towards a time change of the proton-electron mass ratio. Possible implications for baryogenesis are discussed.Comment: talk given at the 10th International Conference on Supersymmetry and Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY02), Hamburg, Germany, 17-23 June 200

Hidden Supersymmetry

Inspired by the concept of complementarity, we present a illustrative model for the weak interactions with unbroken gauge symmetry and unbroken supersymmetry. The observable particles are bound states of some more fundamental particles. Supersymmetry is broken at the macroscopic scale of the observable particles by a discrete symmetry but remains exact at the scale of the fundamental particle and is thus hidden. This provides a link between theories at very high energies and the observed particle physics. Supersymmetric particles are confined in usual matter.Comment: 9 page

Symmetries, Microcausality and Physics on Canonical Noncommutative Spacetime

In this paper we describe how to implement symmetries on a canonical noncommutative spacetime. We focus on noncommutative Lorentz transformations. We then discuss the structure of the light cone on a canonical noncommutative spacetime and show that field theories formulated on these spaces do not violate mircocausality

A Duality as a Theory for the Electroweak Interactions

We present a model based on a SU(2) confining theory which is dual to the standard model. This duality allows to calculate the electroweak mixing angle and the Higgs boson mass. Possible tests of this duality are discussed.Comment: Ph.D. thesi

Gravitational radiation in quantum gravity

The effective field theory of quantum gravity generically predicts non-locality to be present in the effective action, which results from the low-energy propagation of gravitons and massless matter. Working to second order in gravitational curvature, we reconsider the effects of quantum gravity on the gravitational radiation emitted from a binary system. In particular, we calculate for the first time the leading order quantum gravitational correction to the classical quadrupole radiation formula which appears at second order in Newton’s constant