Can the Hierarchy Problem be Solved by Finite-Temperature Massive Fermions in the Randall-Sundrum Model?

Quantum effects of bulk matter, in the form of massive fermions, are considered in the Randall-Sundrum $AdS_5$ brane world at finite temperatures. The thermodynamic energy (modulus potential) is calculated in the limiting case when the temperature is low, and is shown to possess a minimum, thus suggesting a new dynamical mechanism for stabilizing the brane world. Moreover, these quantum effects may solve the hierarchy scale problem, at quite low temperatures. The present note reviews essentially the fermion-related part of the recent article by I. Brevik, K. A. Milton, S. Nojiri, and S. D. Odintsov, hep-th/0010205 .