Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

From F-theory GUTs to the LHC

Jonathan J. Heckman, Cumrun Vafa

Abstract

This paper provides an overview to three recent papers on the bottom up approach to GUTs in F-theory. We assume only a minimal familiarity with string theory and phenomenology. After explaining the potential for predictive string phenomenology within this framework, we introduce the ingredients of F-theory GUTs, and show how these models naturally address various puzzles in four-dimensional GUT models. We next describe how supersymmetry is broken, and show that in a broad class of models, solving the mu/B mu problem requires a specific scale of supersymmetry breaking consistent with a particular deformation of the gauge mediation scenario. This rigid structure enables us to reliably extract predictions for the sparticle spectrum of the MSSM. A brief sketch of expected LHC signals, as well as ways to falsify this class of models is also included.

From F-theory GUTs to the LHC

Abstract

This paper provides an overview to three recent papers on the bottom up approach to GUTs in F-theory. We assume only a minimal familiarity with string theory and phenomenology. After explaining the potential for predictive string phenomenology within this framework, we introduce the ingredients of F-theory GUTs, and show how these models naturally address various puzzles in four-dimensional GUT models. We next describe how supersymmetry is broken, and show that in a broad class of models, solving the mu/B mu problem requires a specific scale of supersymmetry breaking consistent with a particular deformation of the gauge mediation scenario. This rigid structure enables us to reliably extract predictions for the sparticle spectrum of the MSSM. A brief sketch of expected LHC signals, as well as ways to falsify this class of models is also included.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 24 sections, 38 equations, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Basic Assumptions
  3. Elements From F-theory
  4. Higher-Dimensional Gauge and Matter Content
  5. Massless Matter Content
  6. Interaction Terms
  7. Geometric Meaning of the Decoupling Limit
  8. Achieving the Exact Spectrum of the MSSM
  9. Addressing Four-Dimensional GUT Puzzles
  10. Proton Decay and Doublet-Triplet Splitting
  11. GUT Mass Relations
  12. Singlet Wave Functions and Neutrino Masses
  13. Towards a Theory of Flavor
  14. Addressing the Crude $\mu$ Problem
  15. Supersymmetry Breaking
  16. ...and 9 more sections

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: Plot originally presented in HVGMSB of the sparticle spectrum (sparticles denoted by a $\widetilde{}$ ) in a gauge mediation scenario with $\Lambda=1.3\times10^{5}$ for a single vector-like pair of messenger fields in the $5\oplus\overline{5}$ of $SU(5)$ at vanishing PQ deformation (red), and for a maximal PQ deformation of $\Delta_{PQ}=290$ GeV (blue). Beyond this point, a tachyon is present in the squark/slepton sector. This deformation causes the lightest stau $(\widetilde{\tau}_{1})$ to become the NLSP. Note also that at large PQ deformations, the selectron and smuon $(\widetilde{e}_{R},\widetilde{\mu}_{R})$ are comparable in mass to the bino-like lightest neutralino $(\widetilde{\chi}_{\text{ \ }1}^{0})$.
  • Figure 2: Depiction of a sample decay chain in a scenario where the bino-like lightest neutralino $(\widetilde{\chi}_{\text{ }1}^{0})$ is the NLSP. Starting from the initial collision of partons, the end result is two $\widetilde{\chi }_{\text{ }1}^{0}$'s and some number of top quarks and anti-quarks. These tops will then decay further into jets which will sometimes also include leptons in the end result.