English

Anomaly Nucleation Constrains SU(2) Gauge Theories

High Energy Physics - Theory 2014-01-01 v2 High Energy Physics - Phenomenology

Abstract

We argue for the existence of additional constraints on SU(2) gauge theories in four dimensions when realized in ultraviolet completions admitting an analog of D-brane nucleation. In type II string compactifications these constraints are necessary and sufficient for the absence of cubic non-abelian anomalies in certain nucleated SU(N>2) theories. It is argued that they appear quite broadly in the string landscape. Implications for particle physics are discussed; most realizations of the standard model in this context are inconsistent, unless extra electroweak fermions are added.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1310.1091,
  title  = {Anomaly Nucleation Constrains SU(2) Gauge Theories},
  author = {James Halverson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1310.1091},
  year   = {2014}
}

Comments

4 pages. v2: added references, clarification, and a minor correction