Guided by the naturalness criterion for an exponentially small cosmological constant, we present a string theory motivated 4-dimensional $mathcal{N}=1$ non-linear supergravity model (or its linear version with a nilpotent superfield) with spontaneous
supersymmetry breaking. The model encompasses the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the racetrack Kahler uplift, and the KKLT anti-$rm D3$-branes, and use the nilpotent superfield to project out the undesirable interaction terms as well as the unwanted degrees of freedom to end up with the standard model (not the supersymmetric version) of strong and electroweak interactions.
String theory has no parameter except the string scale $M_S$, so the Planck scale $M_text{Pl}$, the supersymmetry-breaking scale, the EW scale $m_text{EW}$ as well as the vacuum energy density (cosmological constant) $Lambda$ are to be determined dyn
amically at any local minimum solution in the string theory landscape. Here we consider a model that links the supersymmetric electroweak phenomenology (bottom up) to the string theory motivated flux compactification approach (top down). In this model, supersymmetry is broken by a combination of the racetrack Kahler uplift mechanism, which naturally allows an exponentially small positive $Lambda$ in a local minimum, and the anti-D3-brane in the KKLT scenario. In the absence of the Higgs doublets in the supersymmetric standard model, one has either a small $Lambda$ or a big enough SUSY-breaking scale, but not both. The introduction of the Higgs fields (with their soft terms) allows a small $Lambda$ and a big enough SUSY-breaking scale simultaneously. Since an exponentially small $Lambda$ is statistically preferred (as the properly normalized probability distribution $P(Lambda)$ diverges at $Lambda=0^{+}$), identifying the observed $Lambda_{rm obs}$ to the median value $Lambda_{50%}$ yields $m_{rm EW} sim 100$ GeV. We also find that the warped anti-D3-brane tension has a SUSY-breaking scale of $100m_{rm EW}$ in the landscape while the SUSY-breaking scale that directly correlates with the Higgs fields in the visible sector has a value of $m_{rm EW}$.
We propose that the periodic fast radio bursts of FRB 180916.J0158+65 are sourced by axion emission (mass $m_{a} sim 10^{-14}$ eV) from cosmic superstrings. Some of the emitted axions are converted to photons by magnetic fields as they travel along t
he line of sight to Earth. An impulsive burst of axion emission generates a photon signal typically lasting for milliseconds and varying with frequency in the observed manner. We find a range of parameters in our cosmic string network model consistent with the properties of FRB 180916.J0158+65. We suggest followup gravitational wave observations to test our model.
Besides the string scale, string theory has no parameter except some quantized flux values; and the string theory Landscape is generated by scanning over discrete values of all the flux parameters present. We propose that a typical (normalized) proba
bility distribution $P({cal Q})$ of a physical quantity $cal Q$ (with nonnegative dimension) tends to peak (diverge) at ${cal Q}=0$ as a signature of string theory. In the Racetrack Kahler uplift model, where $P(Lambda)$ of the cosmological constant $Lambda$ peaks sharply at $Lambda=0$, the electroweak scale (not the electroweak model) naturally emerges when the median $Lambda$ is matched to the observed value. We check the robustness of this scenario. In a bottom-up approach, we find that the observed quark and charged lepton masses are consistent with the same probabilistic philosophy, with distribution $P(m)$ that diverges at $m=0$, with the same (or almost the same) degree of divergence. This suggests that the Standard Model has an underlying string theory description, and yields relations among the fermion masses, albeit in a probabilistic approach (very different from the usual sense). Along this line of reasoning, the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses is clearly preferred over the inverted hierarchy, and the sum of the neutrino masses is predicted to be $sum m_{ u} simeq 0.0592$ eV, with an upper bound $sum m_{ u} <0.066$ eV. This illustrates a novel way string theory can be applied to particle physics phenomenology.
In the Bloch-wave approach to estimate the baryon-number-violating scattering cross section in the standard electroweak theory in the laboratory, we clarify the relation between the single sphaleron barrier and multiple (near periodic) sphaleron barr
ier cases. We explain how a realistic consideration modifies/corrects the idealized Bloch wave and the resonant tunneling approximation. The basic approach is in part analogous to the well-known triple-$alpha$ process to form carbon in nucleosynthesis.
A wavelike solution for the non-relativistic universal dark matter (wave-DM) is rapidly gaining interest, following distinctive predictions of pioneering simulations of cosmic structure as an interference pattern of coherently oscillating bosons. A p
rominent solitonic standing wave is predicted at the center of every galaxy, representing the ground state, that has been identified with the wide, kpc scale dark cores of common dwarf-spheroidal galaxies, providing a boson mass of, $simeq 10^{-22}$ eV. A denser soliton is predicted for Milky Way sized galaxies where momentum is higher, so the de Broglie scale of the soliton is smaller, $simeq 100$ pc, of mass $simeq 10^9 M_odot$. Here we show the central motion of bulge stars in the Milky Way implies the presence of such a dark core, where the velocity dispersion rises inversely with radius to a maximum of $simeq 130$ km/s, corresponding to an excess central mass of $simeq 1.5times 10^9 M_odot$ within $simeq 100$ pc, favouring a boson mass of $simeq 10^{-22}$ eV. This quantitative agreement with such a unique and distinctive prediction is therefore strong evidence for a light bosonic solution to the long standing Dark Matter puzzle, such as the axions generic in String Theory.
With no free parameter (except the string scale $M_S$), dynamical flux compactification in Type IIB string theory determines both the cosmological constant (vacuum energy density) $Lambda$ and the Planck mass $M_P$ in terms of $M_S$, thus yielding th
eir relation. Following elementary probability theory, we find that a good fraction of the meta-stable de Sitter vacua in the cosmic string theory landscape tend to have an exponentially small cosmological constant $Lambda$ compared to either the string scale $M_S$ or the Planck scale $M_P$, i.e., $Lambda ll M_S^4 ll M_P^4$. Here we illustrate the basic stringy ideas with a simple scalar field $phi^3$ (or $phi^4$) model coupled with fluxes to show how this may happen and how the usual radiative instability problem is bypassed (since there are no parameters to be fine-tuned). These low lying semi-classical de Sitter vacua tend to be accompanied by light scalar bosons/axions, so the Higgs boson mass hierarchy problem may be ameliorated as well.
Cosmic superstrings of string theory differ from conventional cosmic strings of field theory. We review how the physical and cosmological properties of the macroscopic string loops influence experimental searches for these relics from the epoch of in
flation. The universes average density of cosmic superstrings can easily exceed that of conventional cosmic strings having the same tension by two or more orders of magnitude. The cosmological behavior of the remnant superstring loops is qualitatively distinct because the string tension is exponentially smaller than the string scale in flux compactifications in string theory. Low tension superstring loops live longer, experience less recoil (rocket effect from the emission of gravitational radiation) and tend to cluster like dark matter in galaxies. Clustering enhances the string loop density with respect to the cosmological average in collapsed structures in the universe. The enhancement at the Suns position is $sim 10^5$. We develop a model encapsulating the leading order string theory effects, the current understanding of the string network loop production and the influence of cosmological structure formation suitable for forecasting the detection of superstring loops via optical microlensing, gravitational wave bursts and fast radio bursts. We evaluate the detection rate of bursts from cusps and kinks by LIGO- and LISA-like experiments. Clustering dominates rates for $G mu < 10^{-11.9}$ (LIGO cusp), $G mu<10^{-11.2}$ (LISA cusp), $G mu < 10^{-10.6}$ (LISA kink); we forecast experimentally accessible gravitational wave bursts for $G mu>10^{-14.2}$ (LIGO cusp), $G mu>10^{-15}$ (LISA cusp) and $G mu>10^{- 14.1}$ (LISA kink).
Earlier estimates have argued that the baryon number violating scattering cross-section in the laboratory is exponentially small so it will never be observed, even for incoming 2-particle energy well above the sphaleron energy of 9 TeV. However, we a
rgue in arXiv:1505.03690 that, due to the periodic nature of the sphaleron potential, the event rate for energies above the sphaleron energy may be high enough to be observed in the near future. That is, there is a discrepancy of about 70 orders of magnitude between the two estimates. Here we argue why and how the multi-sphaleron processes are crucial to the event rate estimate, a very important resonant tunneling property that has not been taken into account before. We also summarize the input assumptions and reasoning adopted in our estimate, when compared to the earlier estimates.
Light Axionic Dark Matter, motivated by string theory, is increasingly favored for the no-WIMP era. Galaxy formation is suppressed below a Jeans scale, of $simeq 10^8 M_odot$ by setting the axion mass to, $m_B sim 10^{-22}$eV, and the large dark core
s of dwarf galaxies are explained as solitons on the de-Broglie scale. This is persuasive, but detection of the inherent scalar field oscillation at the Compton frequency, $omega_B= (2.5{rm , months})^{-1}(m_B/10^{-22}eV)$, would be definitive. By evolving the coupled Schrodinger-Poisson equation for a Bose-Einstein condensate, we predict the dark matter is fully modulated by de-Broglie interference, with a dense soliton core of size $simeq 150pc$, at the Galactic center. The oscillating field pressure induces General Relativistic time dilation in proportion to the local dark matter density and pulsars within this dense core have detectably large timing residuals, of $simeq 400nsec/(m_B/10^{-22}eV)$. This is encouraging as many new pulsars should be discovered near the Galactic center with planned radio surveys. More generally, over the whole Galaxy, differences in dark matter density between pairs of pulsars imprints a pairwise Galactocentric signature that can be distinguished from an isotropic gravitational wave background.
