Equivalence Principle and the Gauge Hierarchy Problem

Abstract

We show that the gauge hierarchy problem can be solved in the framework of scalar-tensor theories of gravity very much in the same way as it is solved in the Randall-Sundrum scenario. Our solution involves a fine-tuning of the gravitational sector. However our mechanism does not require the introduction of extra-dimensions or new physics strongly coupled to the standard model in the low energy regime. We do introduce a new scalar field which is however coupled only gravitationally to regular matter. The physical reason for the splitting between the weak scale and the Planck scale is a violation of the Einstein's equivalence principle.