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S. -H. Henry Tye

Publications and source records attributed to S. -H. Henry Tye.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Bose-Fermi Degeneracy and Duality in Non-Supersymmetric Strings

Following Kachru, Kumar and Silverstein, we construct a set of non-supersymmetric Type II string models which have equal numbers of bosons and fermions at each mass level. The models are asymmetric {\bf Z}_2 \otimes {\bf Z}_2^{\prime} orbifolds. We demonstrate that this bose-fermi degeneracy feature implies that both the one-loop and the two-loop contributions to the cosmological constant vanish. We conjecture that the cosmological constant actually vanishes to all loops. We construct a strong-weak dual pair of models, both of which have bose-fermi degeneracy. This implies that at least some of the non-perturbative corrections to the cosmological constant are absent.

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TeV Scale Superstring and Extra Dimensions

Utilizing the idea of extra large dimensions, it has been suggested that the gauge and gravity couplings unification can happen at a scale as low as 1 TeV. In this paper, we explore this phenomenological possibility within string theory. In particular, we discuss how the proton decay bound can be satisfied in Type I string theory. The string picture also suggests different scenarios of gauge and gravitational couplings unification. The various scenarios are explicitly illustrated with a specific 4-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric chiral Type I string model with Pati-Salam-like gauge symmetry. We point out certain features that should be generic in other Type I strings.

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Type IIB Orientifolds, F-theory, Type I Strings on Orbifolds and Type I - Heterotic Duality

We consider six and four dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric orientifolds of Type IIB compactified on orbifolds. We give the conditions under which the perturbative world-sheet orientifold approach is adequate, and list the four dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ orientifolds (which are rather constrained) that satisfy these conditions. We argue that in most cases orientifolds contain non-perturbative sectors that are missing in the world-sheet approach. These non-perturbative sectors can be thought of as arising from D-branes wrapping various collapsed 2-cycles in the orbifold. Using these observations, we explain certain ``puzzles'' in the literature on four dimensional orientifolds. In particular, in some four dimensional orientifolds the ``naive'' tadpole cancellation conditions have no solution. However, these tadpole cancellation conditions are derived using the world-sheet approach which we argue to be inadequate in these cases due to appearance of additional non-perturbative sectors. The main tools in our analyses are the map between F-theory and orientifold vacua and Type I-heterotic duality. Utilizing the consistency conditions we have found in this paper, we discuss consistent four dimensional chiral ${\cal N}=1$ Type I vacua which are non-perturbative from the heterotic viewpoint.

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A Review of Three-Family Grand Unified String Models

We review the construction and classification of three-family grand unified models within the framework of asymmetric orbifolds in perturbative heterotic superstring. We give a detailed survey of all such models which is organized to aid analysis of their phenomenological properties. We compute tree-level superpotentials for these models. These superpotentials are used to analyze the issues of proton stability (doublet-triplet splitting and R-parity violating terms) and Yukawa mass matrices. To have agreement with phenomenological data all these models seem to require certain degree of fine-tuning. We also analyze the possible patterns of supersymmetry breaking in these models. We find that the supersymmetry breaking scale comes out either too high to explain the electroweak hierarchy problem, or below the electroweak scale unless some degree of fine-tuning is involved. Thus, none of the models at hand seem to be phenomenologically flawless.

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Couplings in Asymmetric Orbifolds and Grand Unified String Models

Using the bosonic supercurrent (or covariant lattice) formalism, we review how to compute scattering amplitudes in asymmetric orbifold string models. This method is particularly useful for calculating scattering of multiple asymmetrically twisted string states, where the twisted states are rewritten as ordinary momentum states. We show how to reconstruct some of the 3-family grand unified string models in this formalism, and identify the quantum numbers of the massless states in their spectra. The discrete symmetries of these models are rather intricate. The superpotentials for the 3-family E_6 model and a closely related SO(10) model are discussed in some detail. The forms of the superpotentials of the two 3-family SU(6) models (with asymptotically-free hidden sectors SU(3) and SU(2) \otimes SU(2)) are also presented.

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Phenomenology of 3-Family Grand Unified String Models

In the 3-family grand unified string models constructed so far, there is only one adjoint (and no higher dimensional representation) Higgs field in the grand unified gauge group. In this preliminary analysis, we address the proton-decay problem in the 3-family E_6 and related SO(10) string models. In particular, we analyze the doublet-triplet splitting (within certain assumptions about non-perturbative dynamics). It appears that generically some fine-tuning is necessary to arrange for a pair of Higgs doublets to be light, while having color Higgs triplets superheavy. We also discuss charge-2/3 quark mass matrix that generically also seems to require some fine-tuning to have rank 1.

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A Classification of 3-Family Grand Unification in String Theory I. The SO(10) and E_6 Models

We give a classification of 3-family SO(10) and E_6 grand unification in string theory within the framework of conformal field theory and asymmetric orbifolds. We argue that the construction of such models in the heterotic string theory requires certain Z_6 asymmetric orbifolds that include a Z_3 outer-automorphism, the latter yielding a level-3 current algebra for the grand unification gauge group SO(10) or E_6. We then classify all such Z_6 asymmetric orbifolds that result in models with a non-abelian hidden sector. All models classified in this paper have only one adjoint (but no other higher representation) Higgs field in the grand unified gauge group. In addition, all of them are completely anomaly free. There are two types of such 3-family models. The first type consists of the unique SO(10) model with SU(2) X SU(2) X SU(2) as its hidden sector (which is not asymptotically-free at the string scale). This SO(10) model has 4 left-handed and 1 right-handed 16s. The second type is described by a moduli space containing 17 models (distinguished by their massless spectra). All these models have an SU(2) hidden sector, and 5 left-handed and 2 right-handed families in the grand unified gauge group. One of these models is the unique E_6 model with an asymptotically-free SU(2) hidden sector. The others are SO(10) models, 8 of them with an asymptotically free hidden sector at the string scale.

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A Classification of 3-Family Grand Unification in String Theory II. The SU(5) and SU(6) Models

Requiring that supersymmetric SU(5) and SU(6) grand unifications in the heterotic string theory must have 3 chiral families, adjoint (or higher representation) Higgs fields in the grand unifiedgauge group, and a non-abelian hidden sector, we construct such string models within the framework of conformal field theory and asymmetric orbifolds. Within this framework, we construct all such string models via Z_6 asymmetric orbifolds that include a Z_3 outer-automorphism, the latter yielding a level-3 current algebra for the grand unification gauge group SU(5) or SU(6). We then classify all such Z_6 asymmetric orbifolds that result in models with a non-abelian hidden sector. All models classified in this paper have only one adjoint (but no otherhigher representation) Higgs field in the grand unified gauge group. This Higgs field is neutral under all other gauge symmetries. The list of hidden sectors for 3-family SU(6) string models are SU(2), SU(3) and $SU(2) \otimes SU(2)$. In addition to these, 3-family SU(5) string models can also have an SU(4) hidden sector. Some of the models have an anomalous U(1).

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Effective Action of Spontaneously Broken Gauge Theories

The effective action of a Higgs theory should be gauge-invariant. However, the quantum and/or thermal contributions to the effective potential seem to be gauge-dependent, posing a problem for its physical interpretation. In this paper, we identify the source of the problem and argue that in a Higgs theory, perturbative contributions should be evaluated with the Higgs fields in the polar basis, not in the Cartesian basis. Formally, this observation can be made from the derivation of the Higgs theorem, which we provide. We show explicitly that, properly defined, the effective action for the Abelian Higgs theory is gauge invariant to all orders in perturbation expansion when evaluated in the covariant gauge in the polar basis. In particular, the effective potential is gauge invariant. We also show the equivalence between the calculations in the covariant gauge in the polar basis and the unitary gauge. These points are illustrated explicitly with the one-loop calculations of the effective action. With a field redefinition, we obtain the physical effective potential. The SU(2) non-Abelian case is also discussed.

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Three-Family SU(5) Grand Unification in String Theory

We present two 3-family SU(5) grand unified models in the heterotic string theory. One model has 3 chiral families and 9 pairs of $5+{\overline 5}$ Higgs fields, and an asymptotically-free SU(2) X SU(2) hidden sector, where the two SU(2)s have different matter contents. The other model has 6 left-handed and 3 right-handed 10s, 12 left-handed and 9 right-handed ${\overline 5}$s, and an asymptotically-free SU(3) hidden sector. At the string scale, the gauge couplings $g^2$ of the hidden sector are three times as big as that of SU(5). In addition, both models have an anomalous U(1).

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Asymmetric Orbifolds and Grand Unification

We generalize the rules for the free fermionic string construction to include other asymmetric orbifolds with world-sheet bosons. We use these rules to construct various grand unified string models that involve level-3 current algebras. We present the explicit construction of three classes of 3-chiral-family grand unified models in the heterotic string theory. Each model has 5 left-handed, and two right-handed families, and an adjoint Higgs. Two of them are SO(10) and the third is E_6. With Wilson lines and/or varying moduli, we show how other 3-family grand unified models, such as SO(10) and SU(5), may be constructed from them.

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Three-Family $SO(10)$ Grand Unification in String Theory

The construction of a supersymmetric $SO(10)$ grand unification with 5 left-handed and 2 right-handed families in the four-dimensional heterotic string theory is presented. The model has one $SO(10)$ adjoint Higgs field. The $SO(10)$ current algebra is realized at level 3.

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Asymmetric Non-Abelian Orbifolds and Model Building

The rules for the free fermionic string model construction are extended to include general non-abelian orbifold constructions that go beyond the real fermionic approach. This generalization is also applied to the asymmetric orbifold rules recently introduced. These non-abelian orbifold rules are quite easy to use. Examples are given to illustrate their applications.

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Tree scattering amplitudes of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring II: the twisted sectors

The spin-4/3 fractional superstring is characterized by a world-sheet chiral algebra involving spin-4/3 currents. The discussion of the tree-level scattering amplitudes of this theory presented in hepth/9310131 is expanded to include amplitudes containing two twisted-sector states. These amplitudes are shown to satisfy spurious state decoupling. The restriction to only two external twisted-sector states is due to the absence of an appropriate dimension-one vertex describing the emission of a single twisted-sector state. This is analogous to the ``old covariant'' formalism of ordinary superstring amplitudes in which an appropriate dimension-one vertex for the emission of a Ramond-sector state is lacking. Examples of tree scattering amplitudes are calculated in a c=5 model of the spin-4/3 chiral algebra realized in terms of free bosons on the string world-sheet. The target space of this model is three-dimensional flat Minkowski space-time and the twisted-sector physical states are fermions in space-time. Since the critical central charge of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring theory is 10, this c=5 model is not consistent at the string loop level.

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Kac and New Determinants for Fractional Superconformal Algebras

We derive the Kac and new determinant formulae for an arbitrary (integer) level $K$ fractional superconformal algebra using the BRST cohomology techniques developed in conformal field theory. In particular, we reproduce the Kac determinants for the Virasoro ($K=1$) and superconformal ($K=2$) algebras. For $K\geq3$ there always exist modules where the Kac determinant factorizes into a product of more fundamental new determinants. Using our results for general $K$, we sketch the non-unitarity proof for the $SU(2)$ minimal series; as expected, the only unitary models are those already known from the coset construction. We apply the Kac determinant formulae for the spin-4/3 parafermion current algebra ({\em i.e.}, the $K=4$ fractional superconformal algebra) to the recently constructed three-dimensional flat Minkowski space-time representation of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring. We prove the no-ghost theorem for the space-time bosonic sector of this theory; that is, its physical spectrum is free of negative-norm states.

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Tree scattering amplitudes of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring I: the untwisted sectors

Scattering amplitudes of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring are shown to satisfy spurious state decoupling and cyclic symmetry (duality) at tree-level in the string perturbation expansion. This fractional superstring is characterized by the spin-4/3 fractional superconformal algebra---a parafermionic algebra studied by Zamolodchikov and Fateev involving chiral spin-4/3 currents on the world-sheet in addition to the stress-energy tensor. Examples of tree scattering amplitudes are calculated in an explicit c=5 representation of this fractional superconformal algebra realized in terms of free bosons on the string world-sheet. The target space of this model is three-dimensional flat Minkowski space-time with a level-2 Kac-Moody so(2,1) internal symmetry, and has bosons and fermions in its spectrum. Its closed string version contains a graviton in its spectrum. Tree-level unitarity (i.e., the no-ghost theorem for space-time bosonic physical states) can be shown for this model. Since the critical central charge of the spin-4/3 fractional superstring theory is 10, this c=5 representation cannot be consistent at the string loop level. The existence of a critical fractional superstring containing a four-dimensional space-time remains an open question.

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Construction of the K=8 Fractional Superconformal Algebras

We construct the K=8 fractional superconformal algebras. There are two such extended Virasoro algebras, one of which was constructed earlier, involving a fractional spin (equivalently, conformal dimension) 6/5 current. The new algebra involves two additional fractional spin currents with spin 13/5. Both algebras are non-local and satisfy non-abelian braiding relations. The construction of the algebras uses the isomorphism between the Z_8 parafermion theory and the tensor product of two tricritical Ising models. For the special value of the central charge c=52/55, corresponding to the eighth member of the unitary minimal series, the 13/5 currents of the new algebra decouple, while two spin 23/5 currents (level-2 current algebra descendants of the 13/5 currents) emerge. In addition, it is shown that the K=8 algebra involving the spin 13/5 currents at central charge c=12/5 is the appropriate algebra for the construction of the K=8 (four-dimensional) fractional superstring.

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