From Type II string theory towards BSM/dark sector physics

TL;DR

This review explores how Type II string theory compactifications can inform BSM and dark sector physics, discussing constraints, phenomenological models like the QCD axion, and implications for future new physics observations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of perturbative Type II and heterotic string compactifications, including explicit models and mechanisms relevant for BSM physics.

Findings

Open string realization of the QCD axion discussed.

Mechanisms for moduli stabilization via D-brane backreaction analyzed.

Implications of low string scale and compactification geometry on new physics explored.

Abstract

Four-dimensional compactifications of string theory provide a controlled set of possible gauge representations accounting for BSM particles and dark sector components. In this review, constraints from perturbative Type II string compactifications in the geometric regime are discussed in detail and then compared to results from heterotic string compactifications and non-perturbative/non-geometric corners. As a prominent example, an open string realization of the QCD axion is presented. The status of deriving the associated low-energy effective action in four dimensions is discussed and open avenues of major phenomenological importance are highlighted. As examples, a mechanism of closed string moduli stabilization by D-brane backreaction as well as one-loop threshold corrections to the gauge couplings and balancing a low string scale $M_{\text{string}}$ with unisotropic compact dimensions are discussed together with implications on potential future new physics observations. For illustrative purposes, an explicit example of a globally consistent D6-brane model with MSSM-like spectrum on $T^6/(\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_6 \times \Omega {\cal R})$ is presented.