Elements of finite order in Lie groups and discrete gauge symmetries Original Research Article

We apply Kacʹs theory of elements of finite order (EFO) in Lie groups to the description of discrete gauge symmetries in various supersymmetric grand unified models. Taking into account the discrete anomaly cancellation conditions, we identify the EFO which generate certain matter parities in the context of the supersymmetric SO(10) and E6 models.