Comments on the Meta-Stable Vacuum in N_f=N_c SQCD and Direct Mediation

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the existence of non-supersymmetric minima in N_f=N_c SQCD, showing their dependence on non-calculable parameters and destabilization through certain deformations, impacting models of direct mediation.

Contribution

It challenges the assumed stability of ISS minima in N_f=N_c SQCD by analyzing parameter dependencies and effects of gauge singlet deformations.

Findings

Existence of ISS minima depends on signs of non-calculable parameters.

Deformation with gauge singlets destabilizes the minima.

Implications for direct mediation models like the Pentagon model.

Abstract

We revisit N_f=N_c SQCD and its non-supersymmetric minima conjectured by Intriligator, Seiberg and Shih (ISS). We argue that the existence of such minima depends on the signs of three non-calculable parameters and that no evidence can be inferred by deforming the theory. We demonstrate this by studying a deformation of the theory which involves additional gauge singlets. In this case, the conjectured minimum is destabilized. We comment on the consequences of such singlets in models of direct mediation and in particular in the Pentagon model.