Gauge Coupling Running in Minimal SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1) Superstring Unification

Abstract

We study the evolution of the gauge coupling constants in string unification schemes in which the light spectrum below the compactification scale is exactly that of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. In the absence of string threshold corrections the predicted values $\sin^2\theta _W=0.218$ and $\alpha _s=0.20$ are in gross conflict with experiment, but these corrections are generically important. One can express the string threshold corrections to $\sin^2\theta _W$ and $\alpha_s$ in terms of certain $modular$ $weights$ of quark, lepton and Higgs superfields as well as the $moduli$ of the string model. We find that in order to get agreement with the experimental measurements within the context of this $minimal$ scheme, certain constraints on the $modular$ $weights$ of the quark, lepton and Higgs superfields should be obeyed. Our analysis indicates that this $minimal$ $string$ $unification$