Supersymmetry without prejudice at the LHC

The discovery and exploration of Supersymmetry in a model-independent fashion will be a daunting task due to the large number of soft-breaking parameters in the MSSM. In this paper, we explore the capability of the ATLAS detector at the LHC (\(\sqrt{s}=14\) TeV, 1 fb^?1) to find SUSY within the 19-dimensional pMSSM subspace of the MSSM using their standard transverse missing energy and long-lived particle searches that were essentially designed for mSUGRA. To this end, we employ a set of ～71k previously generated model points in the 19-dimensional parameter space that satisfy all of the existing experimental and theoretical constraints. Employing ATLAS-generated SM backgrounds and following their approach in each of 11 missing energy analyses as closely as possible, we explore all of these 71k model points for a possible SUSY signal. To test our analysis procedure, we first verify that we faithfully reproduce the published ATLAS results for the signal distributions for their benchmark mSUGRA model points. We then show that, requiring all sparticle masses to lie below 1(3) TeV, almost all (two-thirds) of the pMSSM model points are discovered with a significance S>5 in at least one of these 11 analyses assuming a 50% systematic error on the SM background. If this systematic error can be reduced to only 20% then this parameter space coverage is increased. These results are indicative that the ATLAS SUSY search strategy is robust under a broad class of Supersymmetric models. We then explore in detail the properties of the kinematically accessible model points which remain unobservable by these search analyses in order to ascertain problematic cases which may arise in general SUSY searches.     

The new look pMSSM with neutralino and gravitino LSPs

The pMSSM provides a broad perspective on SUSY phenomenology. In this paper we generate two new, very large, sets of pMSSM models with sparticle masses extending up to 4?TeV, where the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is either a neutralino or gravitino. The existence of a gravitino LSP necessitates a detailed study of its cosmological effects and we find that Big Bang Nucleosynthesis places strong constraints on this scenario. Both sets are subjected to a global set of theoretical, observational and experimental constraints resulting in a sample of ??225k viable models for each LSP type. The characteristics of these two model sets are briefly compared. We confront the neutralino LSP model set with searches for SUSY at the 7?TeV LHC using both the missing (MET) and non-missing E _T ATLAS analyses. In the MET case, we employ Monte Carlo estimates of the ratios of the SM backgrounds at?7 and?8?TeV to rescale the 7?TeV data-driven ATLAS backgrounds to 8?TeV. This allows us to determine the pMSSM parameter space coverage for this collision energy. We find that an integrated luminosity of ??5?C20?fb^?1 at 8?TeV would yield a substantial increase in this coverage compared to that at 7?TeV and can probe roughly half of the model set. If the pMSSM is not discovered during the 8?TeV run, then our model set will be essentially void of gluinos and lightest first and second generation squarks that are ?700?C800?GeV, which is much less than the analogous mSUGRA bound. Finally, we demonstrate that non-MET SUSY searches continue to play an important role in exploring the pMSSM parameter space. These two pMSSM model sets can be used as the basis for investigations for years to come.     

High scale parity invariance as a solution to the SUSY CP problem and an explanation of small ε′/ε

It is shown that if the supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) emerges as the low energy limit of a high scale left-right symmetric gauge structure, the number of uncontrollable CP violating phases of MSSM are drastically reduced. In particular it guarantees the vanishing of the dangerous phases that were at the root of the so called SUSY CP problem. Such a symmetric gauge structure is independently motivated by the smallness of neutrino masses that arise via seesaw mechanism automatic in the theory. The minimal version of this theory also provides an explanation of the smallness of ε′/ε as a consequence of the high scale parity invariance. This talk is based on work done in collaboration with K S Babu and B Dutta.     

Unraveling supersymmetry at future colliders

After a quick review of the current limits on sparticle masses, we outline the prospects for their discovery at future colliders. We then proceed to discuss how precision measurements of sparticle masses can provide information about how SM superpartners acquire their masses. Finally, we examine how we can proceed to establish whether or not any new physics discovered in the future is supersymmetry, and describe how we might zero in on the framework of SUSY breaking. In this connection, we review sparticle mass measurements at future colliders, and point out that some capabilities of experiments ate ⁺ e ⁻ linear colliders may have been over-stated in the literature.     

Hunting effective LSPs at LEP 200

Relatively light sneutrinos, which are experimentally allowed, may significantly affect the currently popular search strategies for supersymmetric particles by decaying dominantly into an invisible channel. In certain cases the second lightest neutralino may also decay invisibly leading to two extra carriers of missing energy — in addition to the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) — the effective LSPs (ELSPs). It is shown that these ELSPs are allowed in supergravity models with common scalar and gaugino masses at the unification scale for a sizable region of parameter space and are consistent with all constraints derived so far from SUSY searches. The pair production of right handed sleptons, which can very well be the lightest charged SUSY particles in this scenario, at LEP 200 and their decay signatures are discussed. The signal survives kinematical cuts required to remove the standard model background. Charginos are also pair produced copiously if kinematically accessible; they also decay dominantly into hadronically quiet di-lepton + modes leading to interesting unlike sign dilepton events which are again easily separable from the Standard Model backgrounds at LEP 200 energies.     

Implications of LHC searches on SUSY particle spectra

We study the implications of LHC searches on SUSY particle spectra using flat scans of the 19-parameter pMSSM phase space. We apply constraints from flavour physics, g _μ −2, dark matter and earlier LEP and Tevatron searches. The sensitivity of the LHC SUSY searches with jets, leptons and missing energy is assessed by reproducing with fast simulation the recent CMS analyses after validation on benchmark points. We present results in terms of the fraction of pMSSM points compatible with all the constraints which are excluded by the LHC searches with 1 fb⁻¹ and 15 fb⁻¹ as a function of the mass of strongly and weakly interacting SUSY particles. We also discuss the suppression of Higgs production cross sections for the MSSM points not excluded and contrast the region of parameter space tested by the LHC data with the constraints from dark matter direct detection experiments.     

Measuring masses of semi-invisibly decaying particle pairs produced at hadron colliders

We introduce a variable useful for measuring masses of particles which are pair produced at hadron colliders, where each particle decays to one particle that is directly observable and another particle whose existence can only be inferred from missing transverse momentum. This variable is closely related to the transverse mass variable commonly used for measuring the W mass at hadron colliders, and like the transverse mass our variable extracts masses in a reasonably model independent way. Without considering either backgrounds or measurement errors we consider how our variable would perform measuring the mass of selectrons in a mSUGRA SUSY model at the LHC.     

Searching for L-violating supersymmetry at the LHC

The possibility to simulate lepton number violating supersymmetric models has been introduced into the recently updated Pythia event generator, now containing 1278 decay channels of SUSY particles into SM particles via lepton number violating interactions. This generator has been used in combination with the AtlFast detector simulation to study the impact of lepton number violation () on event topologies in the ATLAS detector, and trigger menus designed for -SUSY are proposed based on very general considerations. In addition, a rather preliminary analysis is presented on the possibility for ATLAS to observe a signal above the background in several mSUGRA scenarios, using a combination of primitive cuts and neural networks to optimize the discriminating power between signal and background events over regions of parameter space rather than at individual points. It is found that a discovery is possible roughly for TeV and TeV with an integrated luminosity of 30 fb, corresponding to one year of data taking with the LHC running at “mid-luminosity”, cms. Received: 5 October 2001 / Revised version: 20 November 2001 / Published online: 18 January 2002     

Fine-tuning favors mixed axion/axino cold dark matter over neutralinos in the minimal supergravity model

Over almost all of minimal supergravity (mSUGRA or CMSSM) model parameter space, there is a large overabundance of neutralino cold dark matter (CDM). We find that the allowed regions of mSUGRA parameter space which match the measured abundance of CDM in the universe are highly fine-tuned. If instead we invoke the Peccei–Quinn–Weinberg–Wilczek solution to the strong CP problem, then the SUSY CDM may consist of an axion/axino admixture with an axino mass of order the MeV scale, and where mixed axion/axino or mainly axion CDM seems preferred. In this case, fine-tuning of the relic density is typically much lower, showing that axion/axino CDM ( $a\tilde{a}$ CDM) is to be preferred in the paradigm model for SUSY phenomenology. For mSUGRA with $a\tilde{a}$ CDM, quite different regions of parameter space are now DM-favored as compared to the case of neutralino DM. Thus, rather different SUSY signatures are expected at the LHC in the case of mSUGRA with $a\tilde{a}$ CDM, as compared to mSUGRA with neutralino CDM.     

Constraining SUSY models with Fittino using measurements before, with and beyond the LHC

We investigate the constraints on supersymmetry (SUSY) arising from available precision measurements using a global fit approach. When interpreted within minimal supergravity (mSUGRA), the data provide significant constraints on the masses of supersymmetric particles (sparticles), which are predicted to be light enough for an early discovery at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We provide predicted mass spectra including, for the first time, full uncertainty bands. The most stringent constraint is from the measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. Using the results of these fits, we investigate to which precision mSUGRA and more general MSSM parameters can be measured by the LHC experiments with three different integrated luminosities for a parameter point which approximately lies in the region preferred by current data. The impact of the already available measurements on these precisions, when combined with LHC data, is also studied. We develop a method to treat ambiguities arising from different interpretations of the data within one model and provide a way to differentiate between values of different digital parameters of a model (e.g. sign?(μ) within mSUGRA). Finally, we show how measurements at a linear collider with up to 1 TeV centre-of-mass energy will help to improve precision by an order of magnitude.     

Searches for Gauge-Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking topologies in e^+e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies up to \sqrt{s}=209 \mathrm{GeV}

Searches were performed for topologies predicted by gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking models (GMSB). All possible lifetimes of the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP), either the lightest neutralino or slepton, decaying into the lightest SUSY particle, the gravitino, were considered. No evidence for GMSB signatures was found in the OPAL data sample collected at centre-of-mass energies up to $\sqrt{s}=209 \mathrm{GeV}$ at LEP. Limits on the product of the production cross-sections and branching fractions are presented for all search topologies. To test the impact of the searches, a complete scan over the parameters of the minimal model of GMSB was performed. NLSP masses below $53.5 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$ in the neutralino NLSP scenario, below $87.4 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$ in the stau NLSP scenario and below $91.9 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$ in the slepton co-NLSP scenario are excluded at 95% confidence level for all NLSP lifetimes. The scan determines constraints on the universal SUSY mass scale Λ from the direct SUSY particle searches of Λ>40, 27, 21, 17, $15 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$ for messenger indices N=1,2,3,4,5 for all NLSP lifetimes.     

A large scale double beta and dark matter experiment: On the physics potential of GENIUS

The physics potential of GENIUS, a recently proposed double beta decay and dark matter experiment is discussed. The experiment will allow to probe neutrino masses down to 10^?(2–3) eV. GENIUS will test the structure of the neutrino mass matrix, and therefore implicitly neutrino oscillation parameters comparable or superior in sensitivity to the best proposed dedicated terrestrial neutrino oscillation experiments. If the 10^-3 eV level is reached, GENIUS will even allow to test the large angle MSW solution of the solar neutrino problem. Even in its first stage GENIUS will confirm or rule out degenerate or inverted neutrino mass scenarios, which have been widely discussed in the literature as a possible solution to current hints on finite neutrino masses and also test the ν_e ? ν_μ hypothesis of the atmospheric neutrino problem. GENIUS would contribute to the search for R-parity violating SUSY and right-handed W-bosons on a scale similar or superior to LHC. In addition, GENIUS would largely improve the current 0νββ decay searches for R-parity conserving SUSY and leptoquarks. Concerning cold dark matter (CDM) search, the low background anticipated for GENIUS would, for the first time ever, allow to cover the complete MSSM neutralino parameter space, making GENIUS competitive to LHC in SUSY discovery. If GENIUS could find SUSY CDM as a by-product it would confirm that R-parity must be conserved exactly. GENIUS will thus be a major tool for future non-accelerator particle physics.     

Neutrinoless double-beta decay and related topics

The fundamental importance of searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ-decay) is widely recognized. Observation of the decay would tell us that the total lepton number is not conserved and that, consequently, neutrinos are massive Majorana fermions. A brief history of the double-beta decay is presented. The 0νββ-decay is discussed in context of neutrino oscillation data. The perspectives of the experimental 0νββ-decay searches are analyzed. The importance of reliable determination of the 0νββ-decay nuclear matrix elements is pointed out. The problem of distinguishing of the light-neutrino exchange, heavy-neutrino exchange and the trilinear R-parity breaking supersymmetric ( \not R_p \not R_p SUSY) mechanisms of the 0νββ-decay is addressed. Further, the process of resonant neutrinoless double-electron capture (0νɛɛ) is revisited. Arguments are presented that an experimental search for the 0νɛɛ might be feasible.     

Developments in inflationary cosmology

This talk presents some recent work that has been done in inflationary cosmology. First a brief review is given of the inflation scenario and its basic models. After that, one of the main problems in developing inflationary models has been the requirement of a very flat inflation potential. In solving this problem, supersymmetry has played a major role, and the reasons will be discussed and a specific example of the SUSY hybrid model will be examined. Some problems introduced by SUSY such as the η and gravitino problems will then be discussed. Then in a different direction, the quintessential inflation model will be examined as a proposal where a single scalar field plays the role of both the inflaton at early time and the dark energy field later. The final topic covered is developments in understanding dissipation and particle production processes during the inflationary phase.      

A Time-Dependent Born–Oppenheimer Approximation with Exponentially Small Error Estimates

We present the construction of an exponentially accurate time-dependent Born–Oppenheimer approximation for molecular quantum mechanics. We study molecular systems whose electron masses are held fixed and whose nuclear masses are proportional to ε⁻⁴, where ε is a small expansion parameter. By optimal truncation of an asymptotic expansion, we construct approximate solutions to the time-dependent Schr?dinger equation that agree with exact normalized solutions up to errors whose norms are bounded by , for some C and γ >0. Received: 13 February 2001 / Accepted: 13 July 2001     

Double Charm Decays of B Mesons in mSUGRA Model

Based on the low energy effective Hamiltonian with naive factorization, we calculate the branching ratios (BRs) and CP asymmetries (CPAs) for the twenty three double charm decays B/B_s \to D^{(*)}_{(s)} D^{(*)}_{(s)} in both the standard model (SM) and the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model. Within the considered parameter space, we find that (a) the theoretical predictions for the BRs, CPAs and the polarization fractions in the SM and the mSUGRA model are all consistent with the currently available data within±2σ errors; (b) For all the considered decays, the supersymmetric contributions in
the mSUGRA model are very small, less than7% numerically. It may be difficult to observe so small SUSY contributions even at LHC.     

LEP Higgs boson searches beyond the standard model and minimum supersymmetric standard model

Ever since the center-of-mass energy was increased in 1995 above the Zℴ resonance, the four LEP experiments (ALEPH, DELPHI, OPAL and L3) have renewed their effort to search for the Higgs boson. Data taking ended in the year 2000 with about 130 pb⁻¹ of data collected per experiment above 206 GeV ine ⁺ e ⁻¹ collisions but the data analysis is still very active. Most recently, the wealth of theoretical models and predictions has stimulated new analyses and model interpretations which go beyond the standard model and minimal supersymmetric standard model. These include the searches for charged Higgs bosons, models with two Higgs field doublets, searches for ‘fermiophobic’ Higgs decay, invisible Higgs boson decays, decay-mode independent searches, and limits on Yukawa and anomalous Higgs couplings. I review the searches done by the four LEP experiments and present the LEP combined results when they exist.     

Search for supersymmetry with gauge-mediated breaking in diphoton events at D0

We report the results of a search for supersymmetry (SUSY) with gauge-mediated breaking in the missing transverse energy distribution of inclusive diphoton events using 263 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2004. No excess is observed above the background expected from standard model processes, and lower limits on the masses of the lightest neutralino and chargino of about 108 and 195 GeV, respectively, are set at the 95% confidence level. These are the most stringent limits to date for models with gauge-mediated SUSY breaking with a short-lived neutralino as the next-to-lightest SUSY particle.     

From flavour to SUSY flavour models

If supersymmetry (SUSY) will be discovered, successful models of flavour not only have to provide an explanation of the flavour structure of the Standard Model fermions, but also of the flavour structure of their scalar superpartners. We discuss aspects of such “SUSY flavour” models, towards predicting both flavour structures, in the context of supergravity (SUGRA). We point out the importance of carefully taking into account SUSY-specific effects, such as 1-loop SUSY threshold corrections and canonical normalisation, when fitting the model to the data for fermion masses and mixings. This entangles the flavour model with the SUSY parameters and leads to interesting predictions for the sparticle spectrum. We demonstrate these effects by analyzing an example class of flavour models in the framework of an SU(5) Grand Unified Theory with a family symmetry with real triplet representations. For flavour violation through the SUSY soft breaking terms, the class of models realises a scheme we refer to as “Trilinear Dominance”, where flavour violation effects are dominantly induced by the trilinear terms.     

Search for SUSY in the AMSB scenario with the DELPHI detector

The DELPHI experiment at the LEP e ⁺ e^- collider collected almost 700 pb^-1 at centre-of-mass energies above the Z⁰ mass pole and up to 208 GeV. Those data were used to search for SUSY in the Anomaly Mediated SUSY Breaking (AMSB) scenario with a flavour independent common sfermion mass parameter. The searches covered several possible signatures experimentally accessible at LEP, with either the neutralino, the sneutrino or the stau being the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP). They included: the search for nearly mass-degenerate chargino and neutralino, which is a typical feature of AMSB; the search for Standard-Model-like or invisibly decaying Higgs boson; the search for stable staus; the search for cascade decays of SUSY particles resulting in the LSP and a low multiplicity final state containing neutrinos. No evidence of a signal was found, and thus constraints were set in the space of the parameters of the model.Received: 3 September 2003, Revised: 3 February 2004, Published online: 9 March 2004