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I have a simple question regarding masses of elementary particles (in string theory).
What is the mechanism proposed to explain the tiny but non-zero fermion masses?
I know zero masses e.g. due to some symmetry (gauge, conformal) or symmetry breaking (Goldstone bosons). I know the huge masses at and beyond Planck-scale due to higher modes of the string. I know mass generation due to non-linear interaction like for hadron masses in QCD.
But all these mechanism do not seem applicable for the generation of fermion masses.
Of course one could assume a very complicated self-interaction a la Higgs and try to fit a potential that reproduces all these masses; but that seems to be unsatisfying, doesn't it?
What is the mechanism proposed to explain the tiny but non-zero fermion masses?
I know zero masses e.g. due to some symmetry (gauge, conformal) or symmetry breaking (Goldstone bosons). I know the huge masses at and beyond Planck-scale due to higher modes of the string. I know mass generation due to non-linear interaction like for hadron masses in QCD.
But all these mechanism do not seem applicable for the generation of fermion masses.
Of course one could assume a very complicated self-interaction a la Higgs and try to fit a potential that reproduces all these masses; but that seems to be unsatisfying, doesn't it?