Higher-dimensional operators in SUSY SO(10) GUT models

SO(10) GUT models with only small Higgs fields use higher-dimensional operators to generate realistic fermion mass matrices. In particular, a Higgs field in the spinor representation, 16Hd, acquires a weak scale vev. We include the weak vev of the corresponding field 16-bar Hu and investigate its effects based on two successful models, one by Albright and Barr (AB) and another by Babu, Pati and Wilczek (BPW). We find that the BPW model is a particular case within a class of models with identical fermion masses and mixings. In contrast, we expect corrections to the parameters of AB-type models