Time-like vs Space-like Extra Dimensions

Abstract

Higher-dimensional theories with time-like and space-like extra dimensions are compared both from the conceptual and from the phenomenological points of view. In this context causality and unitarity are discussed. It is shown that additional time-like dimensions allow to recover four-dimensional phenomenology without invoking neither Kaluza-Klein compactification procedure nor brane world construct. It is shown, also, that contrary to scenarios with space-like extra dimensions, in higher-dimensional space-times with additional time-like dimensions the cosmological constant problem can be safely solved.