Search for heavy neutral MSSM Higgs bosons with CMS: reach and Higgs mass precision

The search for MSSM Higgs bosons will be an important goal at the LHC. We analyze the search reach of the CMS experiment for the heavy neutral MSSM Higgs bosons with an integrated luminosity of 30 or 60 fb^-1. This is done by combining the latest results for the CMS experimental sensitivities based on full simulation studies with state-of-the-art theoretical predictions of the MSSM Higgs-boson properties. The results are interpreted in MSSM benchmark scenarios in terms of the parameters tan β and the Higgs-boson mass scale, M_A. We study the dependence of the 5σ discovery contours in the M_A–tan β plane on variations of the other supersymmetric parameters. The largest effects arise from a change in the higgsino mass parameter μ, which enters both via higher-order radiative corrections and via the kinematics of Higgs decays into supersymmetric particles. While the variation of μ can shift the prospective discovery reach (and correspondingly the ”LHC wedge” region) by about Δtan β=10, we find that the discovery reach is rather stable with respect to the impact of other supersymmetric parameters. Within the discovery region we analyze the accuracy with which the masses of the heavy neutral Higgs bosons can be determined. We find that an accuracy of 1–4% should be achievable, which could make it possible in favorable regions of the MSSM parameter space to experimentally resolve the signals of the two heavy MSSM Higgs bosons at the LHC.     

Studying the MSSM Higgs sector by forward proton tagging at the LHC

We show that the use of forward proton detectors at the LHC installed at 220 m and 420 m distance around ATLAS and/or CMS can provide important information on the Higgs sector of the MSSM. We analyse central exclusive production of the neutral -even Higgs bosons h and H and their decays into bottom quarks, τ leptons and W bosons in various MSSM benchmark scenarios. Using plausible estimates for the achievable experimental efficiencies and the relevant background processes, we find that the prospective sensitivity of the diffractive Higgs production will allow one to probe interesting regions of the M_A–tanβ parameter plane of the MSSM. Central exclusive production of the -even Higgs bosons of the MSSM may provide a unique opportunity to access the bottom Yukawa couplings of the Higgs bosons up to masses of M_H≲ 250 GeV. We also discuss the prospects for identifying the -odd Higgs boson, A, in diffractive processes at the LHC.     

Strangephilic Higgs bosons in the MSSM

We suggest a new CPX-derived scenario for the search for strangephilic MSSM Higgs bosons at the Tevatron and the LHC, in which all neutral and charged Higgs bosons decay predominantly into pairs of strange quarks and into a strange and a charm quark, respectively. The proposed scenario is realized within a particular region of the MSSM parameter space and requires large values of tan?β, where threshold radiative corrections are significant to render the effective strange-quark Yukawa coupling dominant. Experimental searches for neutral Higgs bosons based on the identification of b-quark jets or τ leptons may miss a strangephilic Higgs boson and its existence could be inferred indirectly by searching for hadronically decaying charged Higgs bosons. Potential strategies and experimental challenges to search for strangephilic Higgs bosons at the Tevatron and the LHC are discussed.     

Study of charged and neutral minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs boson decays and measurement of tan <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> at the compact linear collider

The minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) predicts the existence of new charged and neutral Higgs bosons. The pair creation of these new particles at the multi-TeV e ⁺ e ⁻ compact linear collider (CLIC), followed by decays into standard model particles, were simulated along with the corresponding background. High-energy beam-beam effects such as ISR, beamstrahlung and hadronic background were included. We have investigated the possibility of using the ratio between the number of events found in various decay channels to determine the MSSM parameter tan β and we have derived the corresponding statistical error from the uncertainties on the measured cross-sections and Higgs boson masses.      

Charged and neutral minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs boson decays and measurement of tan <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> at the compact linear collider

The minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) predicts the existence of new charged and neutral Higgs bosons. The pair creation of these new particles at the multi-TeV e ⁺ e ⁻ compact linear collider (CLIC), followed by decays into standard model particles, were simulated along with the corresponding background. High-energy beam-beam effects such as ISR, beamstrahlung and hadronic background were included. We have investigated the possibility of using the ratio between the number of events found in various decay channels to determine the MSSM parameter tan β and we have derived the corresponding statistical error from the uncertainties on the measured cross-sections and Higgs boson masses.      

Distinguishing a SM-like MSSM Higgs boson from SM Higgs boson at muon collider

We explore the possibility of distinguishing the SM-like MSSM Higgs boson from the SM Higgs boson via Higgs boson pair production at future muon collider. We study the behavior of the production cross-section in SM and MSSM with Higgs boson mass for various MSSM parameters tan β and m _A . We observe that at fixed CM energy, in the SM, the total cross-section increases with the increase in Higgs boson mass whereas this trend is reversed for the MSSM. The changes that occur for the MSSM in comparison to the SM predictions are quantified in terms of the relative percentage deviation in cross-section. The observed deviations in cross-section for different choices of Higgs boson masses suggest that the measurements of the cross-section could possibly distinguish the SM-like MSSM Higgs boson from the SM Higgs boson.      

Search for neutral Higgs bosons in CP-conserving and CP-violating MSSM scenarios

This report summarizes the final results from the OPAL collaboration on searches for neutral Higgs bosons predicted by the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). CP-conserving and, for the first time at LEP, CP-violating scenarios are studied. New scenarios are also included, which aim to set the stage for Higgs searches at future colliders. The results are based on the data collected with the OPAL detector at e ⁺ e^- centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV. The data are consistent with the prediction of the Standard Model with no Higgs boson produced. Model-independent limits are derived for the cross-sections of a number of event topologies motivated by predictions of the MSSM. Limits on Higgs boson masses and other MSSM parameters are obtained for a number of representative MSSM benchmark scenarios. For example, in the CP-conserving scenario m _h-max where the MSSM parameters are adjusted to predict the largest range of values for m _h at each , and for a top quark mass of 174.3 GeV, the domain is excluded at the 95% confidence level and Higgs boson mass limits of m _h > 84.5 GeV and m _A > 85.0 GeV are obtained. For the CP-violating benchmark scenario CPX which, by construction, enhances the CP-violating effects in the Higgs sector, the domain is excluded but no universal limit can be set on the Higgs boson masses.Received: 6 April 2004, Revised: 8 June 2004, Published online: 12 August 2004     

MSSM Higgs searches in multi-b-jet final states at the LHC

This paper discusses the possibility to observe a signal from MSSM Higgs boson decays into final states containing four b-jets. Two specific channels are considered: bb?H and bb?A production with H,A → bb?, for large values of m_H, m_A and tan β, and H → hh → bb?bb? decays for 150 GeV < m_H < 2m_t and for low values of tan β. Both channels are difficult to extract because of the very large reducible and irreducible QCD backgrounds. Even with an ultimate integrated luminosity, expected per LHC experiment, of 3 · 10⁵ pb^-1, the region of the MSSM parameter space covered by these channels does not extend the reach beyond that accessible to other channels that were studied in the past. Nevertheless, their observation would help in constraining the couplings and branching ratios of the MSSM Higgs bosons.     

Constraints on the MSSM from the Higgs sector

We discuss the constraints on supersymmetry in the Higgs sector arising from LHC searches, rare B decays and dark matter direct detection experiments. We show that constraints derived on the mass of the lightest h ⁰ and the CP-odd A ⁰ bosons from these searches are covering a larger fraction of the SUSY parameter space compared to searches for strongly interacting supersymmetric particle partners. We discuss the implications of a mass determination for the lightest Higgs boson in the range 123<M _h <127?GeV, inspired by the intriguing hints reported by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations, as well as those of a non-observation of the lightest Higgs boson for MSSM scenarios not excluded at the end of 2012 by LHC and direct dark matter searches and their implications on LHC SUSY searches.     

The ATLAS discovery potential for MSSM neutral Higgs bosons decaying to a μ<Superscript>+</Superscript>μ<Superscript>-</Superscript> pair in the mass range up to 130 GeV

Results are presented on the discovery potential for MSSM neutral Higgs bosons in the m_h-max scenario. The region of large cosβ, between 15 and 50, and mass between ≈95 and 130 GeV is considered in the framework of the ATLAS experiment at the large hadron collider (LHC), for a centre-of-mass energy = 14 TeV. This parameter region is not fully covered by the present data either from LEP or from Tevatron. The h/A bosons, supposed to be very close in mass in that region, are studied in the channel h/A→μ⁺μ^- accompanied by two b-jets. The study includes a method to control the most copious background, Z→μ⁺μ^- accompanied by two b-jets. A possible contribution of the H boson to the signal is also considered.     

Low mass Higgs signals at the LHC in the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

In the NMSSM, because of introducing a complex singlet superfield, the lightest CP-odd Higgs boson, a ₁, can be a singlet-like state with a tiny doublet component in large regions of parameter space. In this paper, we examine the discovery potential of a ₁ produced in association with a bottom–antibottom pair at the LHC through τ ⁺ τ ⁻ and γγ decay modes. It is shown that an a ₁ with mass ≤M _Z can be extracted from the SM backgrounds by using the τ ⁺ τ ⁻ decay channel, a possibility precluded to the MSSM. In contrast, the γγ decay mode is overwhelmed by backgrounds despite the fact that the branching ratio of this mode can reach unity when a ₁ is a pure singlet.     

Interpreting the LHC Higgs search results in the MSSM

Recent results reported by the ATLAS and CMS experiments on the search for a SM-like Higgs boson both show an excess for a Higgs mass near 125 GeV, which is mainly driven by the γγ   and ZZ^?$Z{Z}^{?}$ decay channels, but also receives some support from channels with a lower mass resolution. We discuss the implications of this possible signal within the context of the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), taking into account previous limits from Higgs searches at LEP, the Tevatron and the LHC. The consequences for the remaining MSSM parameter space are investigated. Under the assumption of a Higgs signal we derive new lower bounds on the tree-level parameters of the MSSM Higgs sector. We also discuss briefly an alternative interpretation of the excess in terms of the heavy CP-even Higgs boson, a scenario which is found to be still viable.     

The search for Higgs particles at high-energy colliders: Past,present and future

I briefly review the Higgs sector in the standard model (SM) and its minimal aupersymmetric extension, the MSSM. After summarizing the properties of the Higgs bosons and the present experimental constraints, I will discuss the prospects for discovering these particle at the upgraded Tevatron, the large hadron collider (LHC) and a high-energye ⁺ e ⁻ linear collider. The possibility of studying the properties of the Higgs particles will be then summarized.     

BSM Higgs physics in the exclusive forward proton mode at the LHC

We investigate the prospects for Central Exclusive Diffractive (CED) production of BSM Higgs bosons at the LHC using forward proton detectors installed at 220 m and 420 m distance around ATLAS and/or CMS. We update a previous analysis for the MSSM taking into account improvements in the theoretical calculations and the most recent exclusion bounds from the Tevatron. We extend the MSSM analysis to new benchmark scenarios that are in agreement with the cold dark matter relic abundance and other precision measurements. We analyze the exclusive production of Higgs bosons in a model with a fourth generation of fermions. Finally, we comment on the determination of Higgs spin–parity and coupling structures at the LHC and show that the forward proton mode could provide crucial information on the CP\mathcal{CP} properties of the Higgs bosons.     

Search for neutral minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs produced in association with b quarks in pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

We report results from a search for neutral Higgs bosons produced in association with b quarks using data recorded by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.3 fb(-1). This production mode can be enhanced in several extensions of the standard model (SM) such as in its minimal supersymmetric extension (MSSM) at high tanβ. We search for Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs with one tau decaying to a muon and neutrinos and the other to hadrons. The data are found to be consistent with SM expectations, and we set upper limits on the cross section times branching ratio in the Higgs boson mass range from 90 to 320 GeV/c(2). We interpret our result in the MSSM parameter space, excluding tanβ values down to 25 for Higgs boson masses below 170 GeV/c(2).     

Higgs and Z<Superscript>′</Superscript> phenomenology in B–L extension of the standard model at LHC

The phenomenology of the low scale U(1)_B–L extension of the standard model and its implications at LHC energies is presented. In this model, an extra gauge boson corresponding to B–L gauge symmetry and an extra SM singlet scalar (heavy Higgs boson) are predicted. We show a detailed analysis of both heavy and light Higgs bosons decay and production in addition to the possible decay channels of the new gauge boson. We find that the cross sections of the SM-like Higgs production are reduced by ∼20–30%, while its decay branching ratios remain intact. The extra Higgs boson has relatively small cross sections and the branching ratios of Z^′→l⁺l^- are of order ∼20% to be compared to ∼3% of the SM results. Hence, the search for Z^′ is accessible via a clean dilepton signal at LHC.     

The Higgs mass beyond the CMSSM

The recent discovery of a new boson at the LHC, which resembles a SM-like Higgs boson with m _h =125 GeV, is starting to provide strong guidelines into SUSY model building. For instance, the identification of such a state with the lightest CP-even Higgs boson of the MSSM (h ⁰), requires large values of tanβ and/or heavy sfermions. One outcome of this result is the possibility to solve the SUSY flavor and CP problems by decoupling, which points towards some realization of Split-inspired SUSY scenarios, in which scalars are much heavier than gauginos and higgsinos. However, we argue here that the remaining Higgs bosons of the MSSM (H ⁰, A ⁰, H ^±) do not have to be as heavy as the sfermions, and having them with masses near the EW scale does not pose any conflict with current MSSM constraints. We discuss then some SUSY scenarios with heavy sfermions, from a bottom-up approach, which contain the full Higgs sector, as well as a possible dark matter candidate, with masses near the EW scale, and identify distinctive signals from these scenarios that could be searched at the LHC.     

Electroweak precision data and gravitino dark matter

Electroweak precision measurements can provide indirect information about the possible scale of supersymmetry already at the present level of accuracy. We review present day sensitivities of precision data in mSUGRA-type models with the gravitino as the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). The χ ² fit is based on M _W , sin² θ _eff, (g−2) _μ , BR(b → sγ) and the lightest MSSM Higgs boson mass, M _h . We find indications for relatively light soft supersymmetry-breaking masses, offering good prospects for the LHC and the ILC, and in some cases also for the Tevatron.      

Charged Higgs bosons in the next-to MSSM (NMSSM)

The charged Higgs boson decays H^±→W^±A₁ and H^±→W^±H_i are studied in the framework of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM). It is found that the decay rate for H^±→W^±A₁ can exceed the rates for the τ^±ν and tb channels both below and above the top–bottom threshold. The dominance of H^±→W^±A₁ is most readily achieved when A₁ has a large doublet component and small mass. We also study the production process pp→H^±A₁ at the LHC followed by the decay H^±→W^±A₁, which leads to the signature W^±A₁A₁. We suggest that pp→H^±A₁ is a promising discovery channel for a light charged Higgs boson in the NMSSM with small or moderate tanβ and dominant decay mode H^±→W^±A₁. This W^±A₁A₁ signature can also arise from the Higgsstrahlung process pp→W^±H₁ followed by the decay H₁→A₁A₁. It is shown that there exist regions of parameter space where these processes can have comparable cross sections and we suggest that their respective signals can be distinguished at the LHC by using appropriate reconstruction methods. PACS  12.60.Fr; 14.80.Cp     

Neutral Higgs bosons in the standard model and in the minimal supersymmetric model: Searches at LEP

During the twelve years of operation of thee ⁺ e ⁻ collider LEP, the associated collaborations, ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL, have extensively searched for Higgs bosons over a broad range of masses. We present the final results from LEP for the standard model Higgs boson which are obtained from a statistical combination of the data from the four experiments. We also present preliminary combined results for neutral Higgs bosons in the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM) where the Higgs sector is assumed to be CP invariant. Finally, we discuss an alternative MSSM scenario including CP violation in the Higgs sector.