We study deconstructed gauge theories in which a warp factor emerges dynamically and naturally. We present nonsupersymmetric models in which the potential for the link fields has translational invariance, broken only by boundary effects that trigger an exponential profile of vacuum expectation values. The spectrum of physical states deviates exponentially from that of the continuum for large masses; we discuss the effects of such exponential towers on gauge coupling unification. We also present a supersymmetric example in which a warp factor is driven by Fayet-Iliopoulos terms. The model is peculiar in that it possesses a global supersymmetry that remains unbroken despite nonvanishing D-terms. Inclusion of gravity and/or additional messenger fields leads to the collective breaking of supersymmetry and to unusual phenomenology.

We study the implications and limitations of galaxy cluster surveys for constraining models of particle physics and gravity beyond the Standard Model. Flux limited cluster counts probe the history of large scale structure formation in the universe, and as such provide useful constraints on cosmological parameters. As a result of uncertainties in some aspects of cluster dynamics, cluster surveys are currently more useful for analyzing physics that would affect the formation of structure than physics that would modify the appearance of clusters. As an example we consider the ΛCDM cosmology and dimming mechanisms, such as photon-axion mixing.

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We present a hybrid RSI/RSII model in which we both solve the hierarchy problem and produce a continuum of KK graviton modes. In this model, four dimensional gravity can be reproduced and the radion mode can be stabilized. We then modify the hybrid gravity model to include SU(2) L xSU(2) R xU(1) B−L bulk gauge fields. Electroweak symmetry is broken by the choice of appropriate boundary conditions. By adjusting the size of one region of the extra dimension, we show that the S parameter can be decreased while protecting the ρ parameter from corrections. We find that as the S parameter is decreased by ∼ 60%, M Z ′ and M W ′ stay below 1800 GeV, protecting unitarity.