Retrofitting and the mu Problem

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to generate the mu term in supersymmetry models using non-perturbative effects, avoiding the B mu problem and aligning mu with superpartner masses.

Contribution

It introduces an alternative approach where mu is generated by non-perturbative effects, specifically stringy instantons, to solve the B mu problem in SUSY models.

Findings

Non-perturbative effects can generate mu at the correct scale.

The approach avoids the B mu problem common in F-term generated mu.

A toy model demonstrates the feasibility of the method.

Abstract

One of the challenges of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking and mediation is generating a mu term consistent with the requirements of electro-weak symmetry breaking. The most common approach to the problem is to generate the mu term through a SUSY breaking F-term. Often these models produce unacceptably large B mu terms as a result. We will present an alternate approach, where the mu term is generated directly by non-perturtative effects. The same non-perturbative effect will also retrofit the model of SUSY breaking in such a way that mu is at the same scale as masses of the Standard Model superpartners. Because the mu term is not directly generated by SUSY breaking effects, there is no associated B mu problem. These results are demonstrated in a toy model where a stringy instanton generates mu.