Summary: | We explore the phase structure of the Standard Model as the relative
strengths of the SU(2) weak force and SU(3) strong force are varied. With a
single generation of fermions, the structure of chiral symmetry breaking
suggests that there is no phase transition as we interpolate between the
SU(3)-confining phase and the SU(2)-confining phase. Remarkably, the massless
left-handed neutrino, familiar in our world, morphs smoothly into a massless
right-handed down-quark. With multiple generations, a similar metamorphosis
occurs, but now proceeding via a phase transition.
In the second half of the paper we introduce a two-parameter extension of the
Standard Model, a chiral gauge theory with gauge group U(1) x Sp(r) x SU(N). We
again explore the phase structure of the theory as the relative strengths of
the Sp(r) and SU(N) gauge couplings vary.
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