New phases in O’Raifeartaigh-like models and R-symmetry breaking

Abstract

We study N = 1 models in which supersymmetry and R-symmetry are broken spontaneously. We find that even the simplest well-known O’Raifeartaigh-like models exhibit previously unnoticed phases and dynamics. D-terms play an important role in the dynamics, creating a runaway behavior at tree-level which is stabilized radiatively at a large scale. This leads to a dynamically-generated hierarchy of scales. Additionally, this mechanism generically leads to a spontaneously broken R-symmetry without fine tuning the couplings of the theory. These are some of the simplest known models that break the R-symmetry spontaneously.