Unification and Extra Space-Time Dimensions

Abstract

We analyse the phenomenological implications of a particular class of supersymmetric models with additional space-time dimensions below the unification scale. Assuming the unification of the gauge couplings and using a two-loop calculation below the scale of the additional space-time dimensions, we show that the value of $\alpha_3(M_z)$ is further increased from the two-loop Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model prediction. We consider whether decompactification threshold effects could bring $\alpha_3(M_z)$ into agreement with experiment and discuss the associated level of fine tuning needed.