Discrete R-symmetry anomalies in heterotic orbifold models

Anomalies of discrete R symmetries appearing in heterotic orbifold models are studied. We find that the mixed anomalies for different gauge groups satisfy the universal Green-Schwarz condition, indicating that these anomalies are canceled by the Green-Schwarz mechanism. An exact relation between the anomaly coefficients of the discrete R symmetries and one-loop beta-function coefficients is obtained. We also find that the discrete R symmetries have a good chance to be unbroken down to the supersymmetry breaking scale. Even below this scale a Z(2) subgroup is unbroken, and it may be an origin of the R parity of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. Relations between the R-symmetry anomalies and T-duality anomalies are also investigated.