Towards natural and realistic E7 GUTs in F-theory

Abstract

We consider phenomenological aspects of a natural class of Standard Model-like supersymmetric F-theory vacua realized through flux breaking of rigid E7 gauge factors. Three generations of Standard Model matter are realized in many of these vacua. We further find that many other Standard Model-like features are naturally compatible with these constructions. For example, dimension-4 and 5 terms associated with proton decay are ubiquitously suppressed. Many of these features are due to the group theoretical structure of E7 and associated F-theory geometry. In particular, a set of approximate global symmetries descends from the E7 group, leading to exponential suppression of undesired couplings.