Published August 2004 | Version v1
Journal article

Is there a string theory landscape?

Description

We examine recent claims of a large set of flux compactification solutions of string theory. We conclude that the arguments for AdS solutions are plausible. The analysis of meta-stable dS solutions inevitably leads to situations where long distance effective field theory breaks down. We then examine whether these solutions are likely to lead to a description of the real world. We conclude that one must invoke a version of the anthropic principle which insists on carbon based life forms. We explain why it is likely that this leads to a prediction of low energy supersymmetry breaking, but that many features of anthropically selected flux compactifications are likely to disagree with experiment. (author)

Availability note (English)

Available online at the Web site for the Journal of High Energy Physics (ISSN 1029-8479) http://www.iop.org/

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of High Energy Physics
Journal Volume
08
Journal Issue
2004
Journal Page Range
p. vp
ISSN
1126-6708

INIS

Country of Publication
Italy
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
36000758
Subject category
S72: PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS;
Descriptors DEI
COMPACTIFICATION; MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS; QUANTUM FIELD THEORY; STRING MODELS; SYMMETRY BREAKING; VACUUM STATES
Descriptors DEC
COMPOSITE MODELS; EXTENDED PARTICLE MODEL; FIELD THEORIES; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; PARTICLE MODELS; QUARK MODEL