“Anomalous” U( l) symmetry in orbifold string models

Abstract

“Anomalous” U(1) gauge symmetry with a Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation mechanism is discussed in the orbifold construction of four-dimensional heterotic string models. Some conditions are given as criteria to have “anomalous” U(1) in orbifold string models. In particular, “anomalous” U(1) is absent if the massless twisted matter has no mixing between visible and hidden sectors or if a certain type of discrete symmetries are found. We then give a general procedure for classifying orbifold models with “anomalous” U(1) and for identifying the “anomalous” U(1) basis. We illustrate our procedure in Z 3 and Z 4 orbifold models. According to our procedure, the classification of “anomalous” U(1) can be reduced to classification in the absence of a Wilson line. We also discuss discrete symmetries left unbroken after the “anomalous” U(1) breaking. This includes a possible relation between “anomalous” U(1) and discrete R symmetries.