Froggatt-Nielsen models from E8 in F-theory GUTs

TL;DR

This paper explores F-theory SU(5) GUT models with three generations from intersecting curves at an E8 point, using Froggatt-Nielsen mechanisms to explain flavor structure, resulting in a unique phenomenologically viable model.

Contribution

It introduces a novel F-theory GUT model with three generations from intersecting curves at an E8 point, incorporating Froggatt-Nielsen flavor mechanisms and identifying a unique fit to observed data.

Findings

Identifies a unique model fitting quark and lepton masses and mixings.

Highlights issues with R-parity and doublet-triplet splitting.

Demonstrates the viability of E8-based F-theory GUTs with flavor structure.

Abstract

This paper studies F-theory SU(5) GUT models where the three generations of the standard model come from three different curves. All the matter is taken to come from curves intersecting at a point of enhanced E8 gauge symmetry. Giving a vev to some of the GUT singlets naturally implements a Froggatt-Nielsen approach to flavour structure. A scan is performed over all possible models and the results are filtered using phenomenological constraints. We find a unique model that fits observations of quark and lepton masses and mixing well. This model suffers from two drawbacks: R-parity must be imposed by hand and there is a doublet-triplet splitting problem.