Physics Implications of a Perturbative Superstring Construction

Abstract

We investigate the low energy physics implications of a prototype quasi-realistic superstring model with an anomalous U(1). First, we present the techniques utilized to compute the mass spectrum and superpotential couplings at the string scale, and demonstrate the results for the effective theory along a particular flat direction/"restabilized vacuum" of the model. We then analyze the gauge symmetry breaking patterns and renormalization group equations to determine the mass spectrum at the electroweak scale for a particular numerical example with a realistic Z-Z' hierarchy. Although the model considered is not fully realistic, the results demonstrate general features of quasi-realistic string models, such as extra matter (e.g. Z' gauge bosons and an extended Higgs sector) at the electroweak/TeV scale, and noncanonical couplings (such as R-parity violating terms).