Related papers: Making Ends Meet: String Unification and Low-Energ…
We show that contrary to first expectations realistic three generation supersymmetric intersecting brane world models give rise to phenomenologically interesting predictions about gauge coupling unification. Assuming the most economical way…
We review the possibility that the Supersymmetric Standard Model arises from orbifold constructions of the E_8 x E_8 Heterotic Superstring, and the phenomenological properties that such a model should have. In particular, trying to solve…
We discuss the motivations and implications of models of low-energy supersymmetry. We present the case for the minimal supersymmetric standard model, which we define to include the minimal particle content and soft supersymmetry-breaking…
The Standard Model is the low-energy limit of a microscopic theory which includes extra dimensions and new symmetries. A part of my thesis consisted in constructing a new class of models with two extra dimensions. We showed that these…
In the low-energy limit, string theory has two remarkable symmetries, O(d,d+p) and SL(2,R). We illustrate the use of these transformations as techniques to generate new solutions by applying them to the Taub--NUT metric.
The status of coupling constant unification in the standard model and its supersymmetric extension are discussed. Uncertainties associated with the input coupling constants, $m_{t}$, threshold corrections at the low and high scales, and…
The unification of gauge coupling constants in the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM) is unaffected at the one-loop level by the inclusion of additional mass-degenerate SU(5) multiplets. Perturbativity puts an upper limit on the number of…
One cannot yet point to any firm string prediction. While many approximate string ground states are known with interesting properties, we do not have any argument that one or another describes what we observe around us, and for reasons…
Because of the problems arising from the fermion unification in the traditional Grand Unified Theory and the mass hierarchy between the 4-dimensional Planck scale and weak scale, we suggest the low energy gauge unification theory with low…
The unification of gauge couplings suggests that there is an underlying (supersymmetric) unification of the strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions. The prediction of the unification scale may be the first quantitative indication that…
The cosmological constant problem is a failure of naturalness and suggests that a fine-tuning mechanism is at work, which may also address the hierarchy problem. An example -- supported by Weinberg's successful prediction of the…
For a long time, it has been widely assumed that if the underlying laws of nature are supersymmetric, supersymmetry is broken at a scale intermediate between the weak scale and the Planck mass. The construction of realistic models of…
We provide a non-technical introduction to "misaligned supersymmetry", a generic phenomenon in string theory which describes how the arrangement of bosonic and fermionic states at all string energy levels conspires to preserve finite string…
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…
We derive the universal threshold corrections in heterotic string theory including a continuous Wilson line. Unification of gauge and gravitational couplings is shown to be possible even within perturbative string theory. The relative…
More precise unification predictions require going beyond the lowest order, including 2-loop running of the couplings and a correct treatment of threshold effects. Here we revised two different approaches to deal with light thresholds,…
We survey a variety of proposals for new physics at high scales that serve to relate the multitude of soft supersymmetry breaking parameters of the MSSM. We focus on models where the new physics results in non-universal soft parameters, in…
It is well known that the supersymmetric finite threshold effects can induce substantial corrections to the Standard Model fermion masses. This opens an alternative possibility to correct the problematic mass ratios of the lighter…
We use a new approach to study string scale gauge coupling unification systematically, allowing both the possibility of non-canonical U(1)_Y normalization and the existence of vector-like particles whose quantum numbers are the same as…
I review the unification of gauge couplings of strong, weak and electro-magnetic interactions. I start by recalling the history of the most important prediction of low-energy supersymmetry: the correct value of the weak mixing angle tied to…