Corrections to mass scale predictions in SO(10) GUT with higher dimensional operators

Abstract

We calculate the two loop contribution to the predictions of the mass scales in an SO(10) grand unified theory. We consider the modified unification scale boundary conditions due to the non-renormalizable higher dimensional terms arising from quantum gravity or spontaneous compactification of extra dimensions in Kaluza-Klein type theory. We find the range of these couplings which allows left-right symmetry to survive till very low energy (as low as $\sim$ TeV) and still be compatible with the latest values of $\sin^2 \theta_W$ and $\alpha_s$ derived from LEP. We consider both the situation when the left-right parity is broken and conserved.We consider both supersymmetric and non-supersymmertic versions of the SO(10) theory.Taking the D-conserved non-susy case as an example we calculate the effects of moderate threshold uncertainties at the heavy scale, due to the unknown higgs masses,on the gravity induced couplings.