Abstract
It is argued that superstring theories appear the most promising basis for constructing a theory void of the arbitrariness inherent in traditional grand unification theory, although grand unification as a concept was clearly a step in the right direction as it is the only known quantum field theoretical approach that explains (i) the quantization of electric charge, (ii) the existence of quarks and leptons with Q(e)=Q(p), and (iii) the existence of the strong, the electromagnetic, and the weak forces with disparate strengths at low energies but equal strengths at high energies. However, superstring theories at present lack uniqueness in their formulations and solutions. Rather than finding new solutions in superstring theories it is the primary task at the moment to understand its dynamics, particularly its non-perturbative aspects, well enough so that one may understand how the right vacuum is picked (perhaps) uniquely, and, equally important, how supersymmetry breaks at a scale much below the Planck scale. Given the vastness of the space of solutions without reliable criteria for selection, the central question of ``superstring phenomenology`` has become whether there is any solution among the Calabi-Yau spaces, orbifolds, four-dimensional constructions or any other which resemble or nearly resemble the real world.
More>>
Pati, J C
[1]
- Maryland Univ., College Park, MD (United States). Dept. of Physics
Citation Formats
Pati, J C.
Grand unification in the superstring context: A point of view and a summary.
IAEA: N. p.,
1993.
Web.
Pati, J C.
Grand unification in the superstring context: A point of view and a summary.
IAEA.
Pati, J C.
1993.
"Grand unification in the superstring context: A point of view and a summary."
IAEA.
@misc{etde_101221,
title = {Grand unification in the superstring context: A point of view and a summary}
author = {Pati, J C}
abstractNote = {It is argued that superstring theories appear the most promising basis for constructing a theory void of the arbitrariness inherent in traditional grand unification theory, although grand unification as a concept was clearly a step in the right direction as it is the only known quantum field theoretical approach that explains (i) the quantization of electric charge, (ii) the existence of quarks and leptons with Q(e)=Q(p), and (iii) the existence of the strong, the electromagnetic, and the weak forces with disparate strengths at low energies but equal strengths at high energies. However, superstring theories at present lack uniqueness in their formulations and solutions. Rather than finding new solutions in superstring theories it is the primary task at the moment to understand its dynamics, particularly its non-perturbative aspects, well enough so that one may understand how the right vacuum is picked (perhaps) uniquely, and, equally important, how supersymmetry breaks at a scale much below the Planck scale. Given the vastness of the space of solutions without reliable criteria for selection, the central question of ``superstring phenomenology`` has become whether there is any solution among the Calabi-Yau spaces, orbifolds, four-dimensional constructions or any other which resemble or nearly resemble the real world. This brings the author to remark on the phenomenological prospects of two alternative routes by which superstring theories may make connection with the low energy world, namely (i) the conventional route of elementary quarks and leptons, and (ii) the unconventional route of elementary ``preons``, which ultimately bind, utilizing a so-called metacolor gauge force, to give composite quarks, leptons and Higgs bosons. The author provides arguments why this preonic picture may be a viable contender of the conventional route. 52 refs, 1 fig.}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1993}
month = {Dec}
}
title = {Grand unification in the superstring context: A point of view and a summary}
author = {Pati, J C}
abstractNote = {It is argued that superstring theories appear the most promising basis for constructing a theory void of the arbitrariness inherent in traditional grand unification theory, although grand unification as a concept was clearly a step in the right direction as it is the only known quantum field theoretical approach that explains (i) the quantization of electric charge, (ii) the existence of quarks and leptons with Q(e)=Q(p), and (iii) the existence of the strong, the electromagnetic, and the weak forces with disparate strengths at low energies but equal strengths at high energies. However, superstring theories at present lack uniqueness in their formulations and solutions. Rather than finding new solutions in superstring theories it is the primary task at the moment to understand its dynamics, particularly its non-perturbative aspects, well enough so that one may understand how the right vacuum is picked (perhaps) uniquely, and, equally important, how supersymmetry breaks at a scale much below the Planck scale. Given the vastness of the space of solutions without reliable criteria for selection, the central question of ``superstring phenomenology`` has become whether there is any solution among the Calabi-Yau spaces, orbifolds, four-dimensional constructions or any other which resemble or nearly resemble the real world. This brings the author to remark on the phenomenological prospects of two alternative routes by which superstring theories may make connection with the low energy world, namely (i) the conventional route of elementary quarks and leptons, and (ii) the unconventional route of elementary ``preons``, which ultimately bind, utilizing a so-called metacolor gauge force, to give composite quarks, leptons and Higgs bosons. The author provides arguments why this preonic picture may be a viable contender of the conventional route. 52 refs, 1 fig.}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1993}
month = {Dec}
}