Symmetry Breaking Bulk Effects in Local D-brane Models

We study symmetry breaking effects in local D-brane models that arise as a result of compactification, taking models constructed on C^3/Z_3 as prototype. Zero-modes of the Lichnerowicz operator in cone-like geometries have a power law behaviour; thus the leading symmetry breaking effects are captured by the modes with the lowest scaling dimension which transform non-trivially under the isometry group. Combining this with the fact that global symmetries in local models are gauged upon compactification we determine the strength and form of the leading operators responsible for the symmetry breaking. We find a hierarchical separation in the size of symmetry breaking parameters.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure; v2 typos removed; v3 JHEP versio

Models of Particle Physics from Type IIB String Theory and F-theory: A Review

We review particle physics model building in type IIB string theory and F-theory. This is a region in the landscape where in principle many of the key ingredients required for a realistic model of particle physics can be combined successfully. We begin by reviewing moduli stabilisation within this framework and its implications for supersymmetry breaking. We then review model building tools and developments in the weakly coupled type IIB limit, for both local D3-branes at singularities and global models of intersecting D7-branes. Much of recent model building work has been in the strongly coupled regime of F-theory due to the presence of exceptional symmetries which allow for the construction of phenomenologically appealing Grand Unified Theories. We review both local and global F-theory model building starting from the fundamental concepts and tools regarding how the gauge group, matter sector and operators arise, and ranging to detailed phenomenological properties explored in the literature.Comment: 79 pages, Invited review article for the International Journal of Modern Physics

Generalized Gross-Neveu Models and Chiral Symmetry Breaking from String Theory

We consider intersecting D-brane models which have two dimensional chiral fermions localized at the intersections. At weak coupling, the interactions of these fermions are described by generalized Gross-Neveu models. At strong coupling, these configurations are described by the dynamics of probe D-branes in a curved background spacetime. We study patterns of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in these models at weak and strong coupling, and also discuss relationships between these two descriptions.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX; 16 figure

N-flation with Hierarchically Light Axions in String Compactifications

We present an explicit embedding of axionic N-flation in type IIB string compactifications where most of the Kahler moduli are stabilised by perturbative effects, and so are hierarchically heavier than the corresponding N >> 1 axions whose collective dynamics drives inflation. This is achieved in the framework of the LARGE Volume Scenario for moduli stabilisation. Our set-up can be used to realise a model of either inflation or quintessence, just by varying the volume of the internal space which controls the scale of the axionic potential. Both cases predict a very high scale of supersymmetry breaking. A viable reheating of the Standard Model degrees of freedom can be achieved after the end of inflation due to the perturbative decay of the N light axions which drive inflation.Comment: 28 pages, no figures, Journal versio

Inflationary Predictions and Moduli Masses

A generic feature of inflationary models in supergravity/string constructions is vacuum misalignment for the moduli fields. The associated production of moduli particles leads to an epoch in the post-inflationary history in which the energy density is dominated by cold moduli particles. This modification of the post-inflationary history implies that the preferred range for the number of e-foldings between horizon exit of the modes relevant for CMB observations and the end of inflation $(N_k)$ depends on moduli masses. This in turn implies that the precision CMB observables $n_s$ and $r$ are sensitive to moduli masses. We analyse this sensitivity for some representative models of inflation and find the effect to be highly relevant for confronting inflationary models with observations.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures; v2 minor additions in tex

Wave Functions and Yukawa Couplings in Local String Compactifications

We consider local models of magnetised D7 branes in IIB string compactifications, focussing on cases where an explicit metric can be written for the local 4-cycle. The presence of an explicit metric allows analytic expressions for the gauge bundle and for the chiral matter wavefunctions through solving the Dirac and Laplace equations. The triple overlap of the normalised matter wavefunctions generates the physical Yukawa couplings. Our main examples are the cases of D7 branes on P1xP1 and P2. We consider both supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric gauge backgrounds and both Abelian and non-Abelian gauge bundles. We briefly outline potential phenomenological applications of our results.Comment: 50 pages, 1 figur