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arXiv · hep-th/9503055

String Theory, Misaligned Supersymmetry, and the Supertrace Constraints

Keith R. Dienes·Moshe Moshe·Robert C. Myers
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Abstract

We demonstrate that string consistency in four spacetime dimensions leads to a spectrum of string states which satisfies the supertrace constraints Str(M^0)=0 and Str(M^2)=Λat tree level, where Λis the one-loop string cosmological constant. This result holds for a large class of string theories, including critical heterotic strings. For strings lacking spacetime supersymmetry, these supertrace constraints will be satisfied as a consequence of a hidden ``misaligned supersymmetry'' in the string spectrum. These results thus severely constrain the possible supersymmetry-breaking scenarios in string theory, and suggest a new intrinsically stringy mechanism whereby such supertrace constraints may be satisfied without phenomenologically unacceptable consequences.

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Keith R. Dienes, Moshe Moshe, Robert C. Myers. 1995-10-05. String Theory, Misaligned Supersymmetry, and the Supertrace Constraints. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.74.4767

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