Note on gauge and gravitational anomalies of discrete $Z_N$ symmetries

This article provides a brief overview of some of the theoretical aspects of R-parity violation (RPV) in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) and its extensions. Both spontaneous and explicit RPV models are discussed and some consequences are outlined. In particular, it is emphasized that the simplest supersymmetric theories based on local B-L predict that R-parity must be a broken symmetry, a fact which makes a compelling case for taking R-parity breaking serious...

We extend the well-known 't Hooft anomaly matching conditions for continuous global symmetries to discrete groups. We state the matching conditions for all possible anomalies which involve discrete symmetries explicitly. There are two types of discrete anomalies. For Type I anomalies, the matching conditions have to be always satisfied regardless of the details of the massive bound state spectrum. The Type II anomalies have to be also matched except if there are fractionally ...

We show that more than two generations of quarks and leptons are required to have an anomaly free discrete R-symmetry larger than R-parity, provided that the supersymmetric Standard Model can be minimally embedded into a grand unified theory. This connects an explanation for the number of generations with seemingly unrelated problems like supersymmetry breaking, proton decay, the mu problem, and the cosmological constant through a discrete R-symmetry. We also show that three ...

The structure of the MSSM is reviewed. We first motivate the particle content of the theory by examining the quantum numbers of the known standard model particles and by the requirement of anomaly cancellation. Once the particle content is fixed we can write down the most general renormalizable superpotential. However such a superpotential will contain terms breaking lepton and baryon number which leads us to the concept of R-parity conservation. The question of supersymmetry...

We recall the obstacles which seemed, long ago, to prevent one from viewing supersymmetry as a possible fundamental symmetry of Nature. Is spontaneous supersymmetry breaking possible ? Where is the spin-1/2 Goldstone fermion of supersymmetry, if not a neutrino ? Which bosons and fermions could be related ? Can one define conserved baryon and lepton numbers in such theories, although they systematically involve self-conjugate Majorana fermions ? If we have to postulate the exi...

The U(1)' symmetry associated with a possible heavy Z' would have profound implications for particle physics and cosmology. The motivations for such particles in various extensions of the standard model, possible ranges for their masses and couplings, and classes of anomaly-free models are discussed. Present limits from electroweak and collider experiments are briefly surveyed, as are prospects for discovery and diagnostic study at future colliders. Implications of a Z' are d...

We revisit anomalous phases related to large gauge transformations, such as the Witten anomaly. The latter, known to plague $d=4$ $Sp(k)$ theories, is well-understood in terms of $\pi_4(Sp(k))=\mathbb{Z}_2$, but it also has an oblique relation to the instantons, labeled by $\pi_3(G)=\mathbb{Z}$, via the fermion zero mode counting. We revisit this relation and point out how $SU(N)$ theories escape an anomalous sign of the latter type, only thanks to the perturbative anomaly ca...

Preliminary Remarks. Gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking. Gravity mediated supersymmetry breaking. Anomaly mediated supersymmetry breaking. Gaugino mediated supersymmetry breaking. Braneworld supersymmetry breaking. Conclusions.

We catalog some simple conditions which are sufficient to guarantee that R-parity survives as an unbroken gauged discrete subgroup of the continuous gauge symmetry in certain supersymmetric extensions of the standard model.

Local supersymmetry (SUSY) provides an attractive framework for the incorporation of gravity and unification of gauge interactions within Grand Unified Theories (GUTs). Its breakdown can lead to a variety of models with softly broken SUSY at low energies. In this review article we focus on the SUSY extension of the Standard Model (SM) with an extra U(1)_{N} gauge symmetry originating from a string-inspired E_6 grand unified gauge group. Only in this U(1) extension of the mini...