String Theory and Unification

Abstract

The use of the AdS/CFT correspondence to arrive at quiver gauge field theories is discussed. An abelian orbifold with the finite group $Z_{p}$ can give rise to a nonsupersymmetric $G = U(N)^p$ gauge theory with chiral fermions and complex scalars in different bi-fundamental representations of $G$. The precision measurements at the $Z$ resonance suggest the values $p = 12$ and $N = 3$, and a unifications scale $M_U \sim 4$ TeV. Dedicated to the 65th birthday of Pran Nath.