Towards Low Energy Physics from the Heterotic String

TL;DR

This paper explores heterotic string orbifold compactifications, identifying models that closely resemble the MSSM with realistic features such as R-parity and neutrino masses, advancing the search for string-derived phenomenological models.

Contribution

It introduces a strategy for finding MSSM-like models in Z_6-II orbifold compactifications and demonstrates their existence with realistic features.

Findings

Several MSSM candidates with exact spectrum found

Models exhibit R-parity and neutrino mass suppression

Existence of similar models in other orbifolds and heterotic theories

Abstract

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 the following realistic features: R-parity, seesaw suppressed neutrino masses, and intermediate scale of supersymmetry breakdown. In addition, we find that similar models also exist in other Z_N orbifolds and in the SO(32) heterotic theory.