Orbifold Family Unification in SO(2N) Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores how SO(2N) gauge theories in five dimensions can unify families of quarks and leptons through orbifold symmetry breaking, potentially simplifying the origin of particle families.

Contribution

It demonstrates a framework where multiple fermion families emerge from a single bulk multiplet in SO(2N) gauge theory on an orbifold, offering a novel approach to family unification.

Findings

Multiple Standard Model multiplets originate from a single SO(2N) multiplet.

Additional brane fields are required to complete three families.

Orbifold breaking facilitates family unification in higher-dimensional theories.

Abstract

We study the possibility of family unification on the basis of SO(2N) gauge theory on the five-dimensional space-time, $M^4\times S^1/Z_2$. Several SO(10), $SU(4) \times SU(2)_L \times SU(2)_R$ or SU(5) multiplets come from a single bulk multiplet of SO(2N) after the orbifold breaking. Other multiplets including brane fields are necessary to compose three families of quarks and leptons.