Towards Low Energy Physics from the Heterotic String

Abstract

<p>We investigate orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string, addressing in detail their construction, classification and phenomenological potential. Based on the insight gained from grand unification theories, we develop a successful strategy to search for models resembling the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) in Z_6-II orbifold compactifications. We find about 200 MSSM candidates with the gauge group and the exact spectrum of the MSSM, and supersymmetric vacua below the compactification scale. Among them, there are several models with the following realistic features: R-parity, seesaw suppressed neutrino masses, and intermediate scale of supersymmetry breakdown.</p>