Supersymmetry, the Cosmological Constant and a Theory of Quantum Gravity in Our Universe

TL;DR

This paper explores the relationship between supersymmetry, the cosmological constant, and quantum gravity, suggesting that the observed cosmological constant implies TeV-scale superpartners and constrains particle physics models.

Contribution

It proposes a heuristic mechanism linking the cosmological constant to supersymmetry breaking and predicts superpartners at TeV energies, impacting low-energy physics models.

Findings

A positive cosmological constant implies broken supersymmetry.

Predicts superpartners at TeV energy scale.

Constrains low-energy particle physics models.

Abstract

There are many theories of quantum gravity, depending on asymptotic boundary conditions, and the amount of supersymmetry. The cosmological constant is one of the fundamental parameters that characterize different theories. If it is positive, supersymmetry must be broken. A heuristic calculation shows that a cosmological constant of the observed size predicts superpartners in the TeV range. This mechanism for SUSY breaking also puts important constraints on low energy particle physics models. This essay was submitted to the Gravity Research Foundation Competition and is based on a longer article, which will be submitted in the near future.