| Abstract: |
I will introduce discrete R-symmetries in supersymmetric theories and their motivation from a theoretical and phenomenological stand point. The technique of "retrofitting," using a hidden sector gauge theory to dynamically generate a mass scale, can be extended to "generalized gaugino condensation." I will introduce both of these concepts and a class of models (classically scale invariant, supersymmetric, and with a spontaneously broken discrete R-symmetry) that can be built with generalized gaugino condensation, and possible applications. Time permitting, I will also talk about recent work at IPMU, where we are studying grand unified theories (GUTs) with a discrete R-symmetry. In particular, I will highlight our recent work showing that a minimal GUT setup with a non-anomalous discrete R-symmetry requires 3 generations of matter. |
