`Model building in F-Theory'

Abstract:
We discuss MSSM model building in the setup of string theory, or more
precisely in F-Theory. Recently, a lot of progress has been made towards the
description of extra U(1) factors in such theories. Based on these
constructions we analyzed how the extra U(1) symmetries can be used for MSSM
model building. In particular, we want to use the extra symmetries to forbid
proton decay operators and the Higgs mu-term, both of which are generically
present and lead to phenomenological problems. In contrast, the
phenomenologically necessary Yukawa couplings should be compatible with the
new symmetries. For the discussion we first provide a non-technical
introduction to F-Theory model building. Next, we explain the constraints that
our model building approaches have to satisfy. In the end, we present the
results of our model search and comment on their implications.