A new mechanism to solve the small scale problem of local supersymmetry

We extend the Standard Model gauge group by a gauged U(1)R R-symmetry or a gauged U(1)′. The requirement of cancellation of anomalies is very constraining but can be achieved by adding three or four hidden-sector fields which are Standard Model singlets. The U(1)R or U(1)′ quantum numbers of these singlets are usually large producing a nonrenormalisable superpotential with a high power in the singlet fields. We have minimized the supergravity scalar potential and have found solutions where the vacuum expectation values of all hidden-sector singlet fields are less than the Planck mass = O(MPl10). This produces the small supersymmetry scale of order the weak scale from only the Planck scale. The mu problem is simultaneously solved in this manner.