G2 Compactifications: Higgs bundles, Geometry and Phenomenological Implications

The goal of this project is to study particle phenomenological implications of string theory compactifications. In particular we will consider compactifications of M-theory on G2 manifolds. The initial step is to understand the so-called local model in terms of a Higgs bundle on an associative three-cycle in G2. This will already give us insight into the possible low energy physics. One important technical advance will be the analysis of non-abelian gauge configurations in this setup. In the second part of the project these local models are lifted to compact G2 manifolds, and aspects of moduli stabilization, supersymmetry breaking and the resulting four dimensional particle physics will be analyzed. This is of particular relevance in view of the LHC, which in a few years time will provide more insights into physics beyond the Standard Model.