On the possibility of finding light uncolored supersymmetric partners at present and future machines

Supersymmetric models allow the possibility of finding new light $\text{spin}\text{-}\text{1}\text{2}$ fermions (m <m_w, and perhaps m < 10–15 GeV, charged or neutral) that are (apart from mixing effects) the supersymmetric partners of W, Z⁰, and Higgs bosons. We provide a detailed analysis of their expected properties, production mechanisms, and signatures, with emphasis on detection at e⁺e^- colliders. Although the charged, $\text{spin}\text{-}\text{1}\text{2}$ particles resemble sequential leptons, it turns out that their properties differ enough that they might have been missed in the standard searches with normal cuts, and they still might be found with m < 18 GeV. A neutral, $\text{spin}\text{-}\text{1}\text{2}$ particle with m below about 30 GeV could exist with a clear decay signature and be singly produced at detectable rates at present machines (picobarn cross sections).