arXiv subjects

Gudrid Moortgat-Pick

Publications and source records attributed to Gudrid Moortgat-Pick.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Off-shell effects in Higgs processes at a linear collider and implications for the LHC

The importance of off-shell contributions is discussed for $H\to VV^{(*)}$ with $V\in\{Z,W\}$ for large invariant masses $m_{VV}$ involving a standard model (SM)-like Higgs boson with $m_H=125$GeV at a linear collider (LC). Both dominant production processes $e^+e^-\to ZH\to ZVV^{(*)}$ and $e^+e^-\toν\barνH\toν\barνVV^{(*)}$ are taken into account, and the signal processes are compared with background yielding the same final state. The relative size of the off-shell contributions is strongly dependent on the centre-of-mass energy. These contributions can have an important impact on the determination of cross sections and branching ratios. However, the combination of on- and off-shell contributions can also be utilised to lift degeneracies allowing to test higher-dimensional operators, unitarity and light and heavy Higgs interferences in extended Higgs sectors. The latter is demonstrated in the context of a 2-Higgs-Doublet model. We also discuss the impact of these aspects for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) where they are relevant. The importance of a precise measurement of the Higgs mass for on-shell contributions in $H\to VV^{(*)}$ is emphasized. A particular focus is put on methods for extracting the Higgs width at a LC. Off-shell contributions are shown to have a negligible impact on the width determination at low $\sqrt{s}$ when applying the $Z$ recoil method to extract branching ratios in combination with an appropriate determination of a partial width. On the other hand, off-shell contributions can be exploited to constrain the Higgs width in a similar fashion as in recent analyses at the LHC. It is demonstrated that this approach, besides relying heavily on theoretical assumptions, is affected by the negative interference of Higgs and background contributions that may limit the sensitivity that is achievable with the highest foreseeable statistics at the LHC and a LC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Confronting Higgs couplings from D-term extensions and Natural SUSY at the LHC and ILC

Non-decoupling D-term extensions of the MSSM enhance the tree-level Higgs mass compared to the MSSM, therefore relax fine-tuning and may allow lighter stops with rather low masses even without maximal mixing. We present the anatomy of various non-decoupling D-term extensions of the MSSM and explore the potential of the LHC and of the International Linear Collider (ILC) to determine their deviations in the Higgs couplings with respect to the Standard Model. Depending on the mass of the heavier Higgs $m_H$, such deviations may be constrained at the LHC and determined at the ILC. We evaluate the Higgs couplings in different models and study the prospects for a model distinction at the different stages of the ILC at $\sqrt{s}=$250, 500, 1000 GeV, including the full luminosity upgrade and compare it with the prospects at HL-LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Neutralinos betray their singlino nature at the ILC

It is one of the most challenging tasks at the Large Hadron Collider and at a future Linear Collider not only to observe physics beyond the Standard Model, but to clearly identify the underlying new physics model. In this paper we concentrate on the distinction between two different supersymmetric models, the MSSM and the NMSSM, as they can lead to similar low energy spectra. The NMSSM adds a singlet superfield to the MSSM particle spectrum and simplifies embedding a SM-like Higgs candidate with the measured mass of about 125.5 GeV. In parts of the parameter space the Higgs sector itself does not provide sufficient indications for the underlying model. We show that exploring the gaugino/higgsino sectors could provide a meaningful way to distinguish the two models. Assuming that only the lightest chargino and neutralino masses and polarized cross sections $e^+e^-\to \tildeχ^0_i\tildeχ^0_j$, $\tildeχ^+_i\tildeχ^-_j$ are accessible at the linear collider, we reconstruct the fundamental MSSM parameters $M_1$, $M_2$, $μ$, $\tanβ$ and study whether a unique model distinction is possible based on this restricted information. Depending on the singlino admixture in the lightest neutralino states, as well as their higgsino or gaugino nature, we define several classes of scenarios and study the prospects of experimental differentiation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Tackling light higgsinos at the ILC

In supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model, higgsino-like charginos and neutralinos are preferred to have masses of the order of the electroweak scale by naturalness arguments. Such light $\widetildeχ^0_1$, $\widetildeχ^0_2$ and $\widetildeχ^{\pm}_1$ states can be almost mass degenerate, and their decays are then difficult to observe at colliders. In addition to the generic naturalness argument, light higgsinos are well motivated from a top-down perspective. For instance, they arise naturally in certain models of hybrid gauge-gravity mediation. In the present analysis, we study two benchmark points which have been derived in the framework of such a model, which exhibit mass differences of O(GeV) in the higgsino sector. For chargino pair and neutralino associated production with initial-state photon radiation, we simulate the detector response and determine how accurately the small mass differences, the absolute masses and the cross sections can be measured at the International Linear Collider. Assuming that 500/fb has been collected at each of two beam-polarisations $P(e^+,e^-)=(\pm 30\%,\mp 80\%)$, we find that the mass differences can be measured to 40-300 MeV, the cross sections to 2-5%, and the absolute masses to 1.5-3.3 GeV, where the range of values correspond to the different scenarios and channels. Based on these observables we perform a parameter fit in the MSSM, from which we infer that the higgsino mass parameter $μ$ can be measured to a precision of about $Δμ=$2--7 GeV. For the electroweak gaugino mass parameters $M_1$, $M_2$, which are chosen in the multi-TeV range, a narrow region is compatible with the measurements. For both parameters independently, we can determine a lower bound.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Physics at the CLIC e+e- Linear Collider -- Input to the Snowmass process 2013

This paper summarizes the physics potential of the CLIC high-energy e+e- linear collider. It provides input to the Snowmass 2013 process for the energy-frontier working groups on The Higgs Boson (HE1), Precision Study of Electroweak Interactions (HE2), Fully Understanding the Top Quark (HE3), as well as The Path Beyond the Standard Model -- New Particles, Forces, and Dimensions (HE4). It is accompanied by a paper describing the CLIC accelerator study, submitted to the Frontier Capabilities group of the Snowmass process.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Consistent on shell renormalisation of electroweakinos in the complex MSSM: LHC and LC predictions

We extend the formalism developed in Ref. [20] for the renormalisation of the chargino-neutralino sector to the most general case of the MSSM with complex parameters. We show that products of imaginary parts arising from MSSM parameters and from absorptive parts of loop integrals can already contribute to predictions for physical observables at the one-loop level, and demonstrate that the consistent treatment of such contributions gives rise to non-trivial structure, either in the field renormalisation constants or the corrections associated with the external legs of the considered diagrams. We furthermore point out that the phases of the parameters in the chargino-neutralino sector do not need to be renormalised at the one-loop level, and demonstrate that the appropriate choice for the mass parameters used as input for the on-shell conditions depends both on the process and the region of MSSM parameter space under consideration. As an application, we compute the complete one-loop results in the MSSM with complex parameters for the process h(a) to chi(i)+chi(j)- (Higgs-propagator corrections have been incorporated up to the two-loop level), which may be of interest for SUSY Higgs searches at the LHC, and for chargino pair-production at an e+e- Linear Collider, e+e- to chi(i)+chi(j)-. We investigate the dependence of the theoretical predictions on the phases of the MSSM parameters, analysing in particular the numerical relevance of the absorptive parts of loop integrals.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Methods for evaluating physical processes in strong external fields at e+e- colliders: Furry picture and quasi-classical approach

Future linear colliders designs, ILC and CLIC, are expected to be powerful machines for the discovery of Physics Beyond the Standard Model and subsequent precision studies. However, due to the intense beams (high luminosity, high energy), strong electromagnetic fields occur in the beam-beam interaction region. In the context of precision high energy physics, the presence of such strong fields may yield sensitive corrections to the observed electron-positron processes. The Furry picture of quantum states gives a conceptually simple tool to treat physics processes in an external field. A generalization of the quasi-classical operator method (QOM) as an approximation is considered too.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

One-loop effects on MSSM parameter determination via chargino production at the LC

At a future linear collider, very precise measurements, typically with errors of <1%, are expected to be achievable. Such an accuracy yields sensitivity to quantum corrections, which therefore must be incorporated into theoretical calculations in order to determine the underlying new physics parameters from linear collider measurements. In the context of the chargino--neutralino sector of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, this involves fitting one-loop predictions to prospective measurements of cross sections, forward-backward asymmetries and the accessible chargino and neutralino masses. Taking recent results from LHC SUSY and Higgs searches into account, we consider three phenomenological scenarios, each displaying characteristic features. Our analysis demonstrates how an accurate determination of the desired parameters is possible, and could additionally provide access to the stop masses and mixing angle.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Positron Source Simulations for ILC 1 TeV Upgrade

The generation and capture of polarized positrons at a source with a superconducting helical undulator having 4.3 cm period and 500 GeV electron drive beam have been simulated. The positron polarization has been calculated for the different undulator K values (up to K = 2.5). Without applying a photon collimator, the maximal polarization of positrons is about 25% for 231 meters active magnet length of undulator with K = 0.7. Using an undulator with K = 2.5 and a collimator with an aperture radius of 0.9 mm results in increase of positron polarization to 54%. The energy deposition, temperature rise and stress induced by high intense photon beam in the rotated titanium-alloy target have been estimated. The maximal thermal stress in the target is about 224 MPa for the source with photon collimation to achieve a positron polarization of 54%.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2012

MSSM parameter determination via chargino production at the LC: NLO corrections

Very precise measurements of masses and cross sections, with errors of <1%, are expected to be achievable with a future linear collider. Such an accuracy gives sensitivity at the level of quantum corrections, which therefore must be incorporated in order to make meaningful predictions for the underlying new physics parameters. For the chargino-neutralino sector, this involves fitting one-loop predictions to expected measurements of the cross sections and forward-backward asymmetries and of the accessible chargino and neutralino masses. Our analysis shows how an accurate determination of the desired parameters is possible, providing in addition access to the mass of the lighter stop.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Measurement of CP Violation in the MSSM Neutralino Sector with the ILD

Supersymmetric models provide many new complex phases which lead to CP violating effects in collider experiments. As an example, CP-sensitive triple product asymmetries in neutralino production and subsequent leptonic two-body decays are studied within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. A full ILD detector simulation has been performed at a center of mass energy of 500GeV, including the relevant Standard Model background processes, a realistic beam energy spectrum, beam backgrounds and a beam polarization of 80% and -60% for the electron and positron beams, respectively. Assuming an integrated luminosity of 500fb-1 collected by the experiment and the performance of the current ILD detector, a relative measurement accuracy of 10% for the CP-sensitive asymmetry can be achieved in the chosen scenario.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Momentum reconstruction at the LHC for probing CP-violation in the stop sector

We study the potential to observe CP-violating effects in SUSY stop cascade decay chains at the LHC. Asymmetries composed by triple products of momenta of the final state particles are sensitive to CP-violating effects. Due to large boosts that dilute the asymmetries, these can be difficult to observe. If all particle masses in a cascade decay are known, it may be possible to reconstruct all momenta in the decay chains on an event-by-event basis even when we have missing momentum due to a stable LSP. After the reconstruction, the non-diluted CP-violating signal can be recovered and gets significantly enhanced so that an observation may become feasible. A fully hadronic study has been completed to define the areas of the mSUGRA parameter space that may yield a 3-sigma observation with 500 fb^(-1) at the LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Early spin determination at the LHC?

If signals of new physics are discovered at the LHC it will be crucial to determine the spin structure of the new model. We discuss a method that can help to address this question with a low integrated luminosity, L=1 fb^-1, at sqrt{s}=14 TeV. Based on the differences in angular distributions of primarily produced particles we show that a significant difference can be observed in the final state jet-pairs rapidity distance. An additional advantage of the method is that it does not rely on any particular structure of the couplings in the decay chain. We simulate samples for models with supersymmetric and UED-like spin structure and show that a distinction can be made early on.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Towards Measuring the Stop Mixing Angle at the LHC

We address the question of how to determine the stop mixing angle and its CP-violating phase at the LHC. As an observable we discuss ratios of branching ratios for different decay modes of the light stop ~t_1 to charginos and neutralinos. These observables can have a very strong dependence on the parameters of the stop sector. We discuss in detail the origin of these effects. Using various combinations of the ratios of branching ratios we argue that, depending on the scenario, the observable may be promising in exposing the light stop mass, the mixing angle and the CP phase. This will, however, require a good knowledge of the supersymmetric spectrum, which is likely to be achievable only in combination with results from a linear collider.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Undulator-Based Production of Polarized Positrons

Full exploitation of the physics potential of a future International Linear Collider will require the use of polarized electron and positron beams. Experiment E166 at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has demonstrated a scheme in which an electron beam passes through a helical undulator to generate photons (whose first-harmonic spectrum extended to 7.9MeV) with circular polarization, which are then converted in a thin target to generate longitudinally polarized positrons and electrons. The experiment was carried out with a one-meter-long, 400-period, pulsed helical undulator in the Final Focus Test Beam (FFTB) operated at 46.6GeV. Measurements of the positron polarization have been performed at five positron energies from 4.5 to 7.5MeV. In addition, the electron polarization has been determined at 6.7MeV, and the effect of operating the undulator with a ferrofluid was also investigated. To compare the measurements with expectations, detailed simulations were made with an upgraded version of Geant4 that includes the dominant polarization-dependent interactions of electrons, positrons, and photons with matter. The measurements agree with calculations, corresponding to 80% polarization for positrons near 6MeV and 90% for electrons near 7MeV.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2008

LHC/ILC Interplay in SUSY Searches

Combined analyses at the Large Hadron Collider and at the International Linear Collider are important to reveal precisely the new physics model as, for instance, supersymmetry. Examples are presented where ILC results as input for LHC analyses could be crucial for the identification of signals as well as of the underlying model. The synergy of both colliders leads also to rather accurate SUSY parameter determination and powerful mass constraints even if the scalar particles have masses in the multi-TeV range.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Physics aspects of polarized e+ at the linear collider

Polarized e- and e+ at the International Linear Collider play an important role for discovering physics beyond the Standard Model and for precisely unravelling the structure of the underlying physics. The physics programme at the first energy stage at sqrt{s}=500 GeV benefits strongly from the polarization of both beams. But also at 1 TeV as well as at a possible multi-TeV design of a linear collider, CLIC, the physics output is greatly enriched by beam polarization. An overview is given of the impact of providing polarized e+ at the linear collider in addition to polarized e- for physics studies in top, Higgs, supersymmetry and further models of physics beyond the Standard Model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

News from polarized e- and e+ at the ILC

The proposed International Linear Collider (ILC) is well-suited for discovering physics beyond the Standard Model and for precisely unravelling the structure of the underlying physics. The physics return of the ILC can be maximized by the use of polarized beams, in particular the simultaneous polarization of the e- and the e+ beam. Ongoing physics studies are accompanied by active R&D on the machine part for generating polarized beams and for measuring the polarization with high precision at the ILC. Some new results on the physics case and on the technical aspects of the polarization of both beams are briefly summarized.

hep-ph↗