Discrete Gauge Symmetries, Baryon Number and Large Extra Dimensions

Abstract

Krauss and Wilczek have shown that an unbroken discrete gauge symmetry is respected by gravitationally mediated processes. This has led to a search for such a symmetry compatible with the standard model or MSSM that would protect protons from gravitationally mediated decay in a universe with a low scale for quantum gravity (large extra dimensions). The fact that the discrete symmetry must remain unbroken and have a gauge origin puts important restrictions on the space of possible discrete symmetries.