arXiv subjects

Burt A. Ovrut

Publications and source records attributed to Burt A. Ovrut.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Non-vanishing Heterotic Superpotentials on Elliptic Fibrations

We present models of heterotic compactification on Calabi-Yau threefolds and compute the non-perturbative superpotential for vector bundle moduli. The key feature of these models is that the threefolds, which are elliptically fibered over del Pezzo surfaces, have homology classes with a unique holomorphic, isolated genus-zero curve. Using the spectral cover construction, we present vector bundles for which we can explicitly calculate the Pfaffians associated with string instantons on these curves. These are shown to be non-zero, thus leading to a non-vanishing superpotential in the 4D effective action. We discuss, in detail, why such compactifications avoid the Beasley-Witten residue theorem.

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arXiv2017

Supersymmetric Sneutrino-Higgs Inflation

It is shown that in the phenomenologically realistic supersymmetric $B-L$ MSSM theory, a linear combination of the neutral, up Higgs field with the third family left-and right-handed sneutrinos can play the role of the cosmological inflaton. Assuming that supersymmetry is softly broken at a mass scale of order $10^{13}~\mathrm{GeV}$, the potential energy associated with this field allows for 60 e-foldings of inflation with the cosmological parameters being consistent with all Planck2015 data. The theory does not require any non-standard coupling to gravity and the physical fields are all sub-Planckian during the inflationary epoch. It will be shown that there is a "robust" set of initial conditions which, in addition to satisfying the Planck data, simultaneously are consistent with all present LHC phenomenological requirements.

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arXiv2016

Non-vanishing Superpotentials in Heterotic String Theory and Discrete Torsion

We study the non-perturbative superpotential in E_8 x E_8 heterotic string theory on a non-simply connected Calabi-Yau manifold X, as well as on its simply connected covering space \tilde{X}. The superpotential is induced by the string wrapping holomorphic, isolated, genus 0 curves. According to the residue theorem of Beasley and Witten, the non-perturbative superpotential must vanish in a large class of heterotic vacua because the contributions from curves in the same homology class cancel each other. We point out, however, that in certain cases the curves treated in the residue theorem as lying in the same homology class, can actually have different area with respect to the physical Kahler form and can be in different homology classes. In these cases, the residue theorem is not directly applicable and the structure of the superpotential is more subtle. We show, in a specific example, that the superpotential is non-zero both on \tilde{X} and on X. On the non-simply connected manifold X, we explicitly compute the leading contribution to the superpotential from all holomorphic, isolated, genus 0 curves with minimal area. The reason for the non-vanishing of the superpotental on X is that the second homology class contains a finite part called discrete torsion. As a result, the curves with the same area are distributed among different torsion classes and, hence, do not cancel each other.

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arXiv2016

The Minimal SUSY $B-L$ Model: Simultaneous Wilson Lines and String Thresholds

In previous work, we presented a statistical scan over the soft supersymmetry breaking parameters of the minimal SUSY $B-L$ model. For specificity of calculation, unification of the gauge parameters was enforced by allowing the two ${\mathbb Z}_{3}\times {\mathbb Z}_{3}$ Wilson lines to have mass scales separated by approximately an order of magnitude. This introduced an additional "left-right" sector below the unification scale. In this paper, for three important reasons, we modify our previous analysis by demanding that the mass scales of the two Wilson lines be simultaneous and equal to an "average unification" mass $\left $. The present analysis is 1) more "natural" than the previous calculations, which were only valid in a very specific region of the Calabi-Yau moduli space, 2) the theory is conceptually simpler in that the left-right sector has been removed and 3) in the present analysis the lack of gauge unification is due to threshold effects--particularly heavy string thresholds, which we calculate statistically in detail. As in our previous work, the theory is renormalization group evolved from $\left $ to the electroweak scale--being subjected, sequentially, to the requirement of radiative $B-L$ and electroweak symmetry breaking, the present experimental lower bounds on the $B-L$ vector boson and sparticle masses, as well as the lightest neutral Higgs mass of $\sim$125 GeV. The subspace of soft supersymmetry breaking masses that satisfies all such constraints is presented and shown to be substantial.

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arXiv2015

The Minimal SUSY $B-L$ Model: From the Unification Scale to the LHC

This paper introduces a random statistical scan over the high-energy initial parameter space of the minimal SUSY $B-L$ model--denoted as the $B-L$ MSSM. Each initial set of points is renormalization group evolved to the electroweak scale--being subjected, sequentially, to the requirement of radiative $B-L$ and electroweak symmetry breaking, the present experimental lower bounds on the $B-L$ vector boson and sparticle masses, as well as the lightest neutral Higgs mass of $\sim$125 GeV. The subspace of initial parameters that satisfies all such constraints is presented, shown to be robust and to contain a wide range of different configurations of soft supersymmetry breaking masses. The low-energy predictions of each such "valid" point - such as the sparticle mass spectrum and, in particular, the LSP - are computed and then statistically analyzed over the full subspace of valid points. Finally, the amount of fine-tuning required is quantified and compared to the MSSM computed using an identical random scan. The $B-L$ MSSM is shown to generically require less fine-tuning.

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arXiv2014

A Statistical Analysis of the Minimal SUSY B-L Theory

The structure of the B-L MSSM theory--specifically, the relevant mass scales and soft supersymmetric breaking parameters--is discussed. The space of initial soft parameters is explored at the high scale using random statistical sampling subject to a constraint on the range of dimensionful parameters. For every chosen initial point, the complete set of renormalization group equations is solved. The low energy results are then constrained to be consistent with present experimental data. It is shown that a large set of initial conditions satisfy these constraints and lead to acceptable low energy particle physics. Each such initial point has explicit predictions, such as the exact physical sparticle spectrum--which is presented for two such points. There are also statistical predictions for the masses of the sparticles and the LSP species which are displayed as histograms. Finally, the fine-tuning of the $μ$ parameter--which is always equivalent to or smaller than in the MSSM--is discussed.

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arXiv2014

A Cosmological Super-Bounce

We study a model for a non-singular cosmic bounce in N=1 supergravity, based on supergravity versions of the ghost condensate and cubic Galileon scalar field theories. The bounce is preceded by an ekpyrotic contracting phase which prevents the growth of anisotropies in the approach to the bounce, and allows for the generation of scale-invariant density perturbations that carry over into the expanding phase of the universe. We present the conditions required for the bounce to be free of ghost excitations, as well as the tunings that are necessary in order for the model to be in agreement with cosmological observations. All of these conditions can be met. Our model thus provides a proof-of-principle that non-singular bounces are viable in supergravity, despite the fact that during the bounce the null energy condition is violated.

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arXiv2014

LSP Squark Decays at the LHC and the Neutrino Mass Hierarchy

The existence of R-parity in supersymmetric models can be naturally explained as being a discrete subgroup of gauged baryon minus lepton number (B-L). The most minimal supersymmetric B-L model triggers spontaneous R-parity violation, while remaining consistent with proton stability. This model is well-motivated by string theory and makes several interesting, testable predictions. Furthermore, R-parity violation contributes to neutrino masses, thereby connecting the neutrino sector to the decay of the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). This paper analyzes the decays of third generation squark LSPs into a quark and a lepton. In certain cases, the branching ratios into charged leptons reveal information about the neutrino mass hierarchy, a current goal of experimental neutrino physics, as well as the $θ_{23}$ neutrino mixing angle. Furthermore, optimization of leptoquark searches for this scenario is discussed. Using currently available data, the lower bounds on the third generation squarks are computed.

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arXiv2014

Spontaneous R-Parity Breaking, Stop LSP Decays and the Neutrino Mass Hierarchy

The MSSM with right-handed neutrino supermultiplets, gauged B-L symmetry and a non-vanishing sneutrino expectation value is the minimal theory that spontaneously breaks R-parity and is consistent with the bounds on proton stability and lepton number violation. This minimal B-L MSSM can have a colored/charged LSP, of which a stop LSP is the most amenable to observation at the LHC. We study the R-parity violating decays of a stop LSP into a bottom quark and charged leptons--the dominant modes for a generic "admixture" stop. A numerical analysis of the relative branching ratios of these decay channels is given using a wide scan over the parameter space. The fact that R-parity is violated in this theory by a vacuum expectation value of a sneutrino links these branching ratios directly to the neutrino mass hierarchy. It is shown how a discovery of bottom-charged lepton events at the LHC can potentially determine whether the neutrino masses are in a normal or inverted hierarchy, as well as determining the theta_23 neutrino mixing angle. Finally, present LHC bounds on these leptoquark signatures are used to put lower bounds on the stop mass.

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arXiv2014

Cosmological Perturbations Through a Non-Singular Ghost-Condensate/Galileon Bounce

We study the propagation of super-horizon cosmological perturbations in a non-singular bounce spacetime. The model we consider combines a ghost condensate with a Galileon term in order to induce a ghost-free bounce. Our calculation is performed in harmonic gauge, which ensures that the linearized equations of motion remain well-defined and non-singular throughout. We find that, despite the fact that near the bounce the speed of sound becomes imaginary, super-horizon curvature perturbations remain essentially constant across the bounce. In fact, we show that there is a time close to the bounce where curvature perturbations of all wavelengths are required to be momentarily exactly constant. We relate our calculations to those performed in other gauges, and comment on the relation to previous results in the literature.

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arXiv2013

Supersymmetric Hidden Sectors for Heterotic Standard Models

Within the context of the weakly coupled E8 x E8 heterotic string, we study the hidden sector of heterotic standard model compactifications to four-dimensions. Specifically, we present a class of hidden sector vector bundles - composed of the direct sum of line bundles only - that, together with an effective bulk five-brane, renders the heterotic standard model entirely N=1 supersymmetric. Two explicit hidden sectors are constructed and analyzed in this context; one with the gauge group E7 x U(1) arising from a single line bundle and a second with an SO(12) x U(1) x U(1) gauge group constructed from the direct sum of two line bundles. Each hidden sector bundle is shown to satisfy all requisite physical constraints within a finite region of the Kahler cone. We also clarify that the first Chern class of the line bundles need not be even in our context, as has often been imposed in the model building literature.

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arXiv2012

Higher-Derivative Chiral Superfield Actions Coupled to N=1 Supergravity

We construct N=1 supergravity extensions of scalar field theories with higher-derivative kinetic terms. Special attention is paid to the auxiliary fields, whose elimination leads not only to corrections to the kinetic terms, but to new expressions for the potential energy as well. For example, a potential energy can be generated even in the absence of a superpotential. Our formalism allows one to write a supergravity extension of any higher-derivative scalar field theory and, therefore, has applications to both particle physics and cosmological model building. As an illustration, we couple the higher-derivative DBI action describing a 3-brane in 6-dimensions to N=1 supergravity. This displays a number of new features-- including the fact that, in the regime where the higher-derivative kinetic terms become important, the potential tends to be everywhere negative.

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arXiv2012

DBI Inflation in N=1 Supergravity

It was recently demonstrated that, when coupled to N=1 supergravity, the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) action constructed from a single chiral superfield has the property that when the higher-derivative terms become important, the potential becomes negative. Thus, DBI inflation cannot occur in its most interesting, relativistic regime. In this paper, it is shown how to overcome this problem by coupling the model to one or more additional chiral supermultiplets. In this way, one obtains effective single real scalar field DBI models with arbitrary positive potentials, as well as multiple real scalar field DBI inflation models with hybrid potentials.

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arXiv2012

The Worldvolume Action of Kink Solitons in AdS Spacetime

A formalism is presented for computing the higher-order corrections to the worldvolume action of co-dimension one solitons. By modifying its potential, an explicit "kink" solution of a real scalar field in AdS spacetime is found. The formalism is then applied to explicitly compute the kink worldvolume action to quadratic order in two expansion parameters--associated with the hypersurface fluctuation length and the radius of AdS spacetime respectively. Two alternative methods are given for doing this. The results are expressed in terms of the trace of the extrinsic curvature and the intrinsic scalar curvature. In addition to conformal Galileon interactions, we find a non-Galileon term which is never sub-dominant. This method can be extended to any conformally flat bulk spacetime.

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arXiv2012

Heterotic Kink Solitons and their Worldvolume Action

We present a formalism for computing the higher-order corrections to the worldvolume action of a co-dimension one kink soliton embedded in five-dimensional heterotic M-theory. The geometry of heterotic M-theory, as well as the effective theory which describes a five-brane wrapping a holomorphic curve by a topological kink in a scalar field, is reviewed. Using this formalism, the explicit worldvolume action is computed to second order in two expansion parameters--one describing the "warp" of the heterotic geometry and the second the fluctuation length of the soliton hypersurface. The result is expressed in terms of the trace of the extrinsic curvature and the intrinsic curvature scalar.

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arXiv2011

Supersymmetric Galileons

Galileon theories are of considerable interest since they allow for stable violations of the null energy condition. Since such violations could have occurred during a high-energy regime in the history of our universe, we are motivated to study supersymmetric extensions of these theories. This is carried out in this paper, where we construct generic classes of N=1 supersymmetric Galileon Lagrangians. They are shown to admit non-equivalent stress-energy tensors and, hence, vacua manifesting differing conditions for violating the null energy condition. The temporal and spatial fluctuations of all component fields of the supermultiplet are analyzed and shown to be stable on a large number of such backgrounds. In the process, we uncover a surprising connection between conformal Galileon and ghost condensate theories, allowing for a deeper understanding of both types of theories.

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arXiv2011

Numerical Hermitian Yang-Mills Connections and Kahler Cone Substructure

We further develop the numerical algorithm for computing the gauge connection of slope-stable holomorphic vector bundles on Calabi-Yau manifolds. In particular, recent work on the generalized Donaldson algorithm is extended to bundles with Kahler cone substructure on manifolds with h^{1,1}>1. Since the computation depends only on a one-dimensional ray in the Kahler moduli space, it can probe slope-stability regardless of the size of h^{1,1}. Suitably normalized error measures are introduced to quantitatively compare results for different directions in Kahler moduli space. A significantly improved numerical integration procedure based on adaptive refinements is described and implemented. Finally, an efficient numerical check is proposed for determining whether or not a vector bundle is slope-stable without computing its full connection.

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arXiv2010

The Mass Spectra, Hierarchy and Cosmology of B-L MSSM Heterotic Compactifications

The matter spectrum of the MSSM, including three right-handed neutrino supermultiplets and one pair of Higgs-Higgs conjugate superfields, can be obtained by compactifying the E_{8} x E_{8} heterotic string and M-theory on Calabi-Yau manifolds with specific SU(4) vector bundles. These theories have the standard model gauge group augmented by an additional gauged U(1)_{B-L}. Their minimal content requires that the B-L gauge symmetry be spontaneously broken by a vacuum expectation value of at least one right-handed sneutrino. In previous papers, we presented the results of a quasi-analytic renormalization group analysis showing that B-L gauge symmetry is indeed radiatively broken with an appropriate B-L/electroweak hierarchy. In this paper, we extend these results by 1) enlarging the initial parameter space and 2) explicitly calculating all renormalization group equations numerically, without approximation. The regions of the initial parameter space leading to realistic vacua are presented and the B-L/electroweak hierarchy computed over these regimes. At representative points, the mass spectrum for all sparticles and Higgs fields is calculated and shown to be consistent with present experimental bounds. Some fundamental phenomenological signatures of a non-zero right-handed sneutrino expectation value are discussed, particularly the cosmology and proton lifetime arising from induced lepton and baryon number violating interactions.

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