SUPERSYMMETRY BREAKING AND WEAKLY VS. STRONGLY COUPLED STRING THEORY

in the context of the field theory Limit of superstrings, we consider an almost realistic model of supersymmetry breaking by gaugino condens ation which includes, through nonperturbative corrections to the Kahle r potential, dilaton stabilization at a value compatible with a weak c oupling regime. Invariance under modular transformations is ensured th rough a Green-Schwarz term and string threshold corrections, which lea d to moduli stabilization at the self-dual point, We are thus in a pos ition to discuss several issues of physical relevance: gravitino, dila ton and moduli masses, axion, soft supersymmetry breaking parameters a nd gauge coupling unification. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.