Objective
The project addresses the central unanswered question in particle physics, namely what is the origin of the mass hierarchy and what determines the masses and mixing angles of the quarks and leptons? The proposed project will also considers the related implications for the other parameters of the Standard Model including the gauge couplings and also for low-energy phenomenology beyond the Standard Model. These topics will be investigated using various approaches:
1. The origin of the hierarchy between the Planck mass and the electroweak breaking scale will be investigated in the framework of superstring theories using the new techniques pioneered by Seiberg for determining the non-perturbative properties of the theory. This will shed light on how the moduli vevs responsible for determining the parameters of the SM are fixed.
2. It is proposed to develop selfconsistent SUSY Grand Unification theories based on symmetries ("GIFT" in SU( 6 ) * Z3 ) which guarantee an enormous hierarchy in the vacuum expectation values of Higgs fields The study of the physics of the quark and lepton generations will be developed further in this scheme (partly using the "sea-saw" approach to the generation of masses).
3. The origin of the hierarchical structure of fermion masses will be investigated exploring further the possibility they result from a partially conserved chiral symmetry. The possible role of the infra-red structure in relating the parameters responsible for fermion masses and generating electroweak breaking will be further explored as will the possibility that the moduli vacuum expectation values determining Yukawa couplings are fixed by the low-energy supersymmetry breaking effective potential. The implications for the light Higgs spectrum will be determined.
4. A further investigation is planned of the massless or almost massless Goldstone bosons which appear as a by-product in different extensions of the SM. The implications for neutrino physics will be developed applying the same ''see-saw" mechanism as used in quark generation physics.
5. It is proposed to extend the study of the consequences of the "multiple point criticality principle", which already gives reasonable values for the fine structure coupling constant and the top quark mass. This study will be extended to determine whether the scheme can provide an alternative solution to the hierarchy problem not requiring supersymmetry.
6. Indications for the possible existence of new physics will be sought by study of the associated radiative corrections to observables in extensions of the SM.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Coordinator
OX1 3NP Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.