The dark dimension, proton decay, and the length of the M-theory interval
Abstract
A bstract The existence of a large extra dimension in which only gravity propagates would have spectacular consequences for cosmology and laboratory experiments. In the strong coupling limit of the E 8 × E 8 heterotic string theory, the gauge and matter fields live at the end of the eleventh dimension, which becomes a natural candidate for a micron-size dark dimension . In this work, however, we show that the length of the M-theory interval is severely constrained by proton decay searches. Our results indicate that in such constructions the size of the eleventh dimension is R ≲ 𝒪(10 − 28 ) meters.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of High Energy Physics
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 2026
- Issue
- 5
- Publication date
- 26 May 2026
- Language
- EN