Embedding Z′ models in SO(10) GUTs

Abstract

We embed a theory with Z′ gauge boson (related to an extra U(1) gauge group) into a supersymmetric GUT theory based on SO(10). Two possible sequences of SO(10) breaking via VEVs of appropriate Higgs fields are considered. Gauge coupling unification provides constraints on the low energy values of two additional gauge coupling constants related to Z′ interactions with fermions. Our main purpose is to investigate in detail the freedom in these two values due to different scales of subsequent SO(10) breaking and unknown threshold mass corrections in the gauge RGEs. These corrections are mainly generated by Higgs representations and can be large because of the large dimensions of these representations. To account for many free mass parameters, effective threshold mass corrections have been introduced. Analytic results that show the allowed regions of values of two additional gauge coupling constants have been derived at 1-loop level. For a few points in parameter-space that belong to one of these allowed regions 1-loop running of gauge coupling constants has been compared with more precise running, which is 2-loop for gauge coupling constants and 1-loop for Yukawa coupling constants. 1-loop results have been compared with experimental constraints from electroweak precision tests and from the most recent LHC data.