Stable Non-Supersymmetric Throats in String Theory

TL;DR

This work demonstrates that large classes of non-supersymmetric AdS-like throat geometries can be engineered in string theory by freely-acting orbifolds of SUSY backgrounds, with stability inferred from the absence of global singlet relevant operators in the dual gauge theories. By analyzing orbifolds of ${\cal N}=4$ and of the KW/KS theories, the authors show that, at strong coupling, potential GSROs are either forbidden by surviving discrete symmetries or acquire large anomalous dimensions, preserving the throat even after SUSY breaking. They construct explicit compact embeddings using an F-theory setup with substantial discrete symmetry content, enabling long hierarchies to be generated and maintained within a 4D gravity framework. Furthermore, they outline IR extensions—bulk gauge fields via D7-branes and emergent IR gauge sectors from anti-D3-branes—that can yield phenomenologically interesting dynamics (e.g., composite Higgs-like sectors) without compromising stability. Overall, the paper provides concrete, symmetry-protected non-supersymmetric throat geometries with potential applications to Randall-Sundrum-like models and beyond.

Abstract

We construct a large class of non-supersymmetric AdS-like throat geometries in string theory by taking non-supersymmetric orbifolds of supersymmetric backgrounds. The scale of SUSY breaking is the AdS radius, and the dual field theory has explicitly broken supersymmetry. The large hierarchy of energy scales in these geometries is stable. We establish this by showing that the dual gauge theories do not have any relevant operators which are singlets under the global symmetries. When the geometries are embedded in a compact internal space, a large enough discrete subgroup of the global symmetries can still survive to prevent any singlet relevant operators from arising. We illustrate this by embedding one case in a non-supersymmetric orbifold of a Calabi-Yau manifold. These examples can serve as a starting point for obtaining Randall-Sundrum models in string theory, and more generally for constructing composite Higgs or technicolor-like models where strongly coupled dynamics leads to the breaking of electro-weak symmetry. Towards the end of the paper, we briefly discuss how bulk gauge fields can be incorporated by introducing D7-branes in the bulk, and also show how the strongly coupled dynamics can lead to an emergent weakly coupled gauge theory in the IR with matter fields including scalars.

Figures (2)

• Figure 1: Quiver diagram of the $k=5$ case. White arrows denote fermions, and black arrows denote scalars. We thank the authors of DKRone for permission to reproduce this figure.
• Figure 2: Quiver diagram for the KS theory.