Abstract
We propose a way to introduce matter fields transforming in arbitrary representations of the gauge group in noncommutative U(N) gauge theories. We then argue that in the presence of supersymmetry, an ordinary commutative SU(N) gauge theory with a general matter content can always be embedded, at least as an effective theory, into a noncommutative U(N) theory at energies above the noncommutativity mass scale M NC ∼ θ -1/2 . At energies below M NC , the U(1) degrees of freedom decouple due to the IR/UV mixing, and the noncommutative theory reduces to its commutative counterpart. Supersymmetry can be spontaneously broken by a Fayet-Iliopoulos D-term introduced in the noncommutative U(N) theory. U(I) degrees of freedom become arbitrarily weakly coupled in the infrared and naturally play the role of the hidden sector for supersymmetry breaking. To illustrate these ideas we construct an effective noncommutative U(5) GUT model with Fayet-Iliopoulos supersymmetry breaking, which reduces to a realistic commutative theory in the infrared. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.