Flavor Constraints on Split Fermion Models

Abstract

We examine the contributions to rare processes that arise in models where the Standard Model fermions are localized at distinct points in compact extra dimensions. Tree-level flavor changing neutral current interactions for the Kaluza-Klein (KK) gauge field excitations are induced in such models, and hence strong constraints are thought to exist on the size of the additional dimensions. We find a general parameterization of the model which does not depend on any specific fermion geography and show that typical values of the parameters can reproduce the fermion hierarchy pattern. Using this parameterization, we reexamine the contributions to neutral meson mixing, rare meson decays, and single top-quark production in $e^+e^-$ collisions. We find that is it possible to evade the stringent bounds for natural regions of the parameters, while retaining finite separations between the fermion fields and without introducing a new hierarchy. The resulting limits on the size of the compact dimension can be as low as TeV$^{-1}$.