Spontaneous R-Symmetry Breaking in O'Raifeartaigh Models

Abstract

We study the question of whether spontaneous U(1)_R breaking can occur in O'Raifeartaigh-type models of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking. We show that in order for it to occur, there must be a field in the theory with R-charge different from 0 or 2. We construct the simplest O'Raifeartaigh model with this property, and we find that for a wide range of parameters, it has a meta-stable vacuum where U(1)_R is spontaneously broken. This suggests that spontaneous U(1)_R breaking actually occurs in generic O'Raifeartaigh models.

Comments: 19 pages; v2: reference added, minor changes; v3: important typo fixed