On Mediating Supersymmetry Breaking in D-brane Models

Abstract

We consider the 3+1 visible sector to live on a Hanany-Witten D-brane construction in type IIA string theory. The messenger sector consists of stretched strings from the visible brane to a hidden D6-brane in the extra spatial dimensions. In the open string channel supersymmetry is broken by gauge mediation while in the closed string channel supersymmetry is broken by gravity mediation. Hence, we call this kind of mediation ``string mediation''. We propose an extension of the Dimopoulos-Georgi theorem to brane models: only detached probe branes can break supersymmetry without generating a tachyon. Fermion masses are generated at one loop if the branes break a sufficient amount of the ten dimensional Lorentz group while scalar potentials are generated if there is a force between the visible brane and the hidden brane. Scalars can be lifted at two loops through a combination of brane bending and brane forces. We find a large class of stable non-supersymmetric brane configurations of ten dimensinoal string theory.