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.      

Unparticle searches through gamma–gamma scattering

We investigate the effects of unparticles on γγ→γγ scattering for the photon collider mode of the future multi-TeV e⁺e^- linear collider. We show the effects of unparticles on the differential, and total scattering cross sections for different polarization configurations. Considering 1-loop standard model background contributions from the charged fermions and W^± bosons to the cross section, we calculate the upper limits on the unparticle couplings λ₀ to the photons for various values of the scaling dimension d (1<d<2) at = 0.5–5 TeV.     

Higgs physics at future colliders: Recent theoretical developments

I review the physics of the Higgs sector in the standard model and its minimal supersymmetric extension, the MSSM. I will discuss the prospects for discovering the Higgs particles at the upgraded Tevatron, at the large hadron collider, and at a future high-energye ⁺ e ⁻ linear collider with centre-of-mass energy in the 350–800 GeV range, as well as the possibilities for studying their fundamental properties. Some emphasis will be put on the theoretical developments which occurred in the last two years.     

Determination of the angles of the unitarity triangle at BABAR⋆

We report recent measurements of the three angles of the unitarity triangle using the data collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric energy e ⁺ e ^- collider. Original article based on material presented at HADRON 2007.     

Supersymmetry parameter analysis: SPA convention and project

High-precision analyses of supersymmetry parameters aim at reconstructing the fundamental supersymmetric theory and its breaking mechanism. A well defined theoretical framework is needed when higher-order corrections are included. We propose such a scheme, Supersymmetry Parameter Analysis SPA, based on a consistent set of conventions and input parameters. A repository for computer programs is provided which connect parameters in different schemes and relate the Lagrangian parameters to physical observables at LHC and high energy e ⁺ e^- linear collider experiments, i.e., masses, mixings, decay widths and production cross sections for supersymmetric particles. In addition, programs for calculating high-precision low energy observables, the density of cold dark matter (CDM) in the universe as well as the cross sections for CDM search experiments are included. The SPA scheme still requires extended efforts on both the theoretical and experimental side before data can be evaluated in the future at the level of the desired precision. We take here an initial step of testing the SPA scheme by applying the techniques involved to a specific supersymmetry reference point.     

SUSY effects in Higgs production at high energy e+e- colliders

Considering the constraints from collider experiments and dark matter detection, we investigate the SUSY effects in the Higgs production channels e⁺e^-→Zh at an e⁺e^- collider with a center-of-mass energy above 240 GeV and γγ→h→bb at a photon collider with a center-of-mass energy above 125 GeV. In the parameter space allowed by current experiments, we find that the SUSY corrections to e⁺e^-→Zh can reach a few percent and the production rate of γγ→h→bb can be enhanced by a factor of 1.2 over the SM prediction. We also calculate the exotic Higgs production e⁺e^-→Zh₁ in the next-to-minimal supersymmetric model (NMSSM) (h is the SM-like Higgs, h₁ is the CP-even Higgs bosons which can be much lighter than h). We find that at a 250 GeV e⁺e^- collider the production rates of e⁺e^-→Zh₁ can reach 60 fb.     

Production of unusual mesons in photon-photon collisions

The cross-section for the production of unusual mesons, such as (bc?) or (b?c), in photon-photon collisions is obtained in a high energy approximation. For a 100 + 100 GeV e⁺e^? collider, the cross section is estimated to be about one unit of R for (bc?) and (b?c).     

Bounds on new contact interactions from future e+e− colliders

A systematic study of the “reach” for contact interactions as a probe for new physics at future e⁺e⁻ colliders is performed. A large energy range is considered, from PETRA/PEP energies at the lower end, via the Z⁰ peak (SLC/LEP-I) and LEP-II, up to the TeV regime of a potential future linear e⁺e⁻ collider. Lower bounds on the compositeness scale Λ for leptons are calculated for Bhabha scattering and μ-pair production using realistic assumptions on the expected luminosities and detector performances. The impact of longitudinal and transverse polarization is studied in detail. The “reach” corresponding to high rates at the Z⁰ peak is compared to the one obtained from running at higher energies. At LEP-II energies, a sensitivity to (lepton) substructure at the level of Λ ∼ 10 TeV is to be expected. At a 2 TeV e⁺e⁻ collider the sensitivity can be as large as 100 TeV.     

Conclusions and perspectives

LEP1 precision measurements, combined with LEP2 searches for the Higgs boson, define the framework for future investigations in subatomic physics. In particular they define the energy and the luminosity which are needed at a future e⁺e⁻ collider to settle the issue of the origin of mass and to complement the LHC on the various scenarios proposed beyond the Standard Model. To cite this article: F. Richard, P. Zerwas, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1245–1253.     

Physics opportunities with polarized e − and e + beams at TESLA

Beam polarization at e⁺-e^– linear colliders will be a powerful tool for high precision analyses. Often it is assumed that the full information from polarization effects is provided by polarization of the electron beam and no further information can be obtained by the simultaneous polarization of the positrons. In this paper we point out the advantages of polarizing both beams, and summarize the polarization-related results of the Higgs, Electroweak, QCD, SUSY and Alternative Theories working groups of the ECFA/DESY workshop for a planned linear collider operating in the energy range s = 500-800 GeV.     

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.     

Ultimate parameters of the photon collider at the international linear collider

At linear colliders, the e ⁺ e ⁻ luminosity is limited by beam-collision effects, which determine the required emittances of beams in damping rings (DRs). In γγ collisions at the photon collider, these effects are absent, and so smaller emittances are desirable. In the present damping ring designs, nominal DR parameters correspond to those required for e ⁺ e ⁻ collisions. In this note, I would like to stress once again that as soon as we plan the photon collider mode of ILC operation, the damping ring emittances are dictated by the photon collider requirements — namely, they should be as small as possible. This can be achieved by adding more wigglers to the DRs; the incremental cost is easily justified by a considerable potential improvement of the γγ luminosity. No expert analysis exists as of now, but it seems realistic to obtain a factor five increase of the γγ luminosity compared to the ‘nominal’ DR design.      

Study of baryon production mechanism in ee annihilation into hadrons

The mechanism of baryon-anti-baryon pair production in e⁺e⁻ annihilation into hadrons has been studied using the TOPAZ detector at the TRISTAN e⁺e⁻ collider at an average center-of-mass energy of 58 GeV. The distributions of various correlations were compared with two prominent models: the cluster-fragmentation model and the string-fragmentation model. We rejected the cluster-fragmentation model at the 90% C.L. Furthermore, in the context of the string-fragmentation model, we favor the “popcorn” model, rejecting the “diquark” model, where a diquark is considered to be a fundamental entity, at the 95% C.L.     

Power losses in the international linear collider 20 mrad extraction line at 1 TeV

We have performed a detailed study of the power losses in the post-collision extraction line of a TeV e ⁺ e ⁻ collider with a crossing angle of 20 mrad at the interaction point. Five cases were considered: four luminosity configurations for ILC and one for CLIC. For all of them, the strong beam-beam effects at the interaction point lead to an emittance growth for the outgoing beam, as well as to the production of beamstrahlung photons and e ⁺ e ⁻ coherent pairs. The power losses along the extraction line, which are due to energy deposition by a fraction of the disrupted beam, of the beamstrahlung photons and of the coherent pairs, were estimated in the case of ideal collisions, as well as with a vertical position or angular offset at the interaction point.      

Prospects for e+e- physics at Frascati between the φ and the ψ

We present a detailed study, done in the framework of the INFN 2006 Roadmap, of the prospects for e⁺e^- physics at the Frascati National Laboratories. The physics case for an e⁺e^- collider running at high luminosity at the φ resonance energy and also reaching a maximum center of mass energy of 2.5 GeV is discussed, together with the specific aspects of a very high luminosity τ-charm factory. Subjects connected to kaon decay physics are not discussed here, being part of another INFN Roadmap working group. The significance of the project and the impact on INFN are also discussed. All the documentation related to the activities of the working group can be found in http://www.roma1.infn.it/people/bini/roadmap.html.     

Prospects for the measurement of the Higgs boson masswith a linear <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript> + </Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript>-</Superscript> collider

The potential of a linear e ⁺ e^- collider operated at a centre-of-mass energy of 350 GeV is studied for the measurement of the Higgs boson mass. An integrated luminosity of 500 fb^-1 is assumed. For Higgs boson masses of 120, 150 and 180 GeV the uncertainty on the Higgs boson mass measurement is estimated to be 40, 65 and 70 MeV, respectively. The effects of beam related systematics, namely a bias in the beam energy measurement, the beam energy spread and the luminosity spectrum due to beamstrahlung, on the precision of the Higgs boson mass measurement are investigated. In order to keep the systematic uncertainty on the Higgs boson mass well below the level of the statistical error, the beam energy measurement must be controlled with a relative precision better than 10^-4. Received: 30 May 2005, Revised: 6 July 2005, Published online: 6 October 2005     

Probing anomalous Higgs couplings at an <Emphasis Type="Italic">eγ</Emphasis> collider using unpolarised beams

We examine the sensitivity of eγ colliders (based on e ⁺ e ⁻ linear colliders of c.m. energy 500 GeV) to the anomalous couplings of the Higgs to W-boson via the process e ⁻ γ → νWH. This has the advantage over e ⁺ e ⁻ collider in being able to dissociate WWH vertex from ZZH. We are able to construct several dynamical variables which may be used to constrain the various couplings in the WWH vertex.      

HPGe detectors for hypernuclear <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-ray spectroscopy

The DAΦNE e ⁺ e ⁻ collider, the Φ-factory currently operating at the INFN National Laboratories of Frascati (Italy), is the unconventional playground where the FINUDA Collaboration is successfully carrying on its hypernuclear study program. In view of a possible machine luminosity upgrade, it has been proposed to add to the present FINUDA spectrometer the γ-ray detection capability. The combined exploitation of the excellent High Purity Germanium detector energy resolution and of the FINUDA performances will allow the construction of a powerful and really complete experimental setup dedicated to hypernuclear physics. for the HyperGamma Collaboration     

Associated production of light gravitinos in e+e? and e?γ collisions

Light gravitino productions in association with a neutralino (selectron) in e ⁺ e ⁻ (e ⁻ γ) collisions are restudied in a scenario that the lightest supersymmetric particle is a gravitino and the produced neutralino (selectron) promptly decays into a photon (electron) and a gravitino. We explicitly give the helicity amplitudes for the production processes by using the effective goldstino interaction Lagrangian, and present the cross sections with different collision energies and mass spectra. We also examine selection efficiencies by kinematical cuts and beam polarizations for the signal and background processes, and show that the energy and angular distributions of the photon (electron) can explore the mass of the t-channel exchange particle as well as the mass of the decaying particle at a future e ⁺ e ⁻ (e ⁻ γ) collider.