Enhanced Symmetries and the Ground State of String Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores the idea that the ground state of string theory resides at a point of maximally enhanced symmetry, with implications for low-energy physics and potential compatibility with supersymmetry and gauge unification.

Contribution

It proposes a hypothesis linking enhanced symmetries at the string ground state to low-energy physics and discusses possible compatibility with supersymmetry and gauge coupling unification.

Findings

Enhanced symmetry points influence low-energy physics.

Hypotheses suggest compatibility with N=1 supersymmetry.

Implications for gauge coupling unification.

Abstract

The ground state of string theory may lie at a point of ``maximally enhanced symmetry", at which all of the moduli transform under continuous or discrete symmetries. This hypothesis, along with the hypotheses that the theory at high energies has N=1 supersymmetry and that the gauge couplings are weak and unified, has definite consequences for low energy physics. We describe these, and offer some suggestions as to how these assumptions might be compatible.