Higgs--Matter splitting in quasi-realistic orbifold string GUTs

A three-generation Pati-Salam model is constructed by compactifying the heterotic string on a particular T^6/Z_6 Abelian symmetric orbifold with two discrete Wilson lines. The compactified space is taken to be the Lie algebra lattice G_2+SU(3)+SO(4). When one dimension of the SO(4) lattice is large compared to the string scale, this model reproduces many features of a 5d SO(10) grand unified theory compactified on an S^1/Z_2 orbifold. (Of course, with two large extra dimensio...

We study in detail the structure of Grand Unified Theories derived as the low-energy limit of orbifold four-dimensional strings. To this aim, new techniques for building level-two symmetric orbifold theories are presented. New classes of GUTs in the context of symmetric orbifolds are then constructed. The method of permutation modding is further explored and SO(10) GUTs with both $45$ or $54$-plets are obtained. SU(5) models are also found through this method. It is shown tha...

We investigate orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string, addressing in detail their construction, classification and phenomenological potential. We present a strategy to search for models resembling the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) in Z_6-II orbifold compactifications. We find several MSSM candidates with the gauge group and the exact spectrum of the MSSM, and supersymmetric vacua below the compactification scale. They also exhibit t...

There has been recently a surge of interest in Grand Unified Theories on orbifolds of higher dimensional spaces. In particular, the higher dimensional doublet-triplet splitting mechanism has been of much interest. I revisit the superstring doublet-triplet splitting mechanism in which the color triplets are projected out by the GSO projections, while leaving the electroweak doublets in the physical spectrum. The connection with the higher dimensional theories is elucidated. It...

Six-dimensional orbifold models where the Higgs field is identified with some internal component of a gauge field are considered. We classify all possible T^2/Z_N orbifold constructions based on a SU(3) electroweak gauge symmetry. Depending on the orbifold twist, models with two, one or zero Higgs doublets can be obtained. Models with one Higgs doublet are particularly interesting because they lead to a prediction for the Higgs mass, which is twice the W boson mass at leading...

We present a six-dimensional T^2/Z_2 orbifold model which arises as an intermediate step in the compactification of the heterotic string to the MSSM. The orbifold contains two pairs of inequivalent fixed points, with unbroken local gauge groups SU(5) and SU(2)xSU(4), respectively, the intersection of which gives the standard model gauge group. All bulk and brane anomalies are cancelled by the Green--Schwarz mechanism. At each SU(5) fixed point, there is a localised \bar{5}+10...

The dark matter issue is among the most perplexing in contemporary physics. The problem is more enigmatic due to the wide range of possible solutions, ranging from the ultra-light to the super-massive. String theory gives rise to plausible dark matter candidates due to the breaking of the non--Abelian Grand Unified Theory (GUT) symmetries by Wilson lines. The physical spectrum then contains states that do not satisfy the quantisation conditions of the unbroken GUT symmetry. G...

A review of orbifold geometry is given, followed by a review of the construction of four-dimensional heterotic string models by compactification on a six-dimensional Z_3 orbifold. Particular attention is given to the details of the transition from a classical theory to a first-quantized theory. Subsequently, a discussion is given of the systematic enumeration of all standard-like three generation models subject to certain limiting conditions. It is found that the complete set...

We construct a six-dimensional gauge-Higgs unification model with the enlarged gauge group of $E_6$ on $S^2/Z_2$ orbifold compactification. The standard model particle contents and gauge symmetry are obtained by utilizing a monopole background field and imposing appropriate parity conditions on the orbifold. In particular, a realistic Higgs potential suitable for breaking the electroweak gauge symmetry is obtained without introducing extra matter or assuming an additional sym...

The Standard Model data suggests the realization of grand unification structures in nature, in particular that of SO(10). A class of string vacua that preserve the SO(10) embedding, are the three generation free fermion heterotic-string models, that are related to Z2xZ2 orbifold compactification. Attempts to use the M-theory framework to explore further this class of models are discussed. Wilson line breaking of the SO(10) GUT symmetry results in super-heavy meta-stable state...