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Howard Baer

Publications and source records attributed to Howard Baer.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
arXiv2006

Mixed Higgsino Dark Matter from a Reduced SU(3) Gaugino Mass: Consequences for Dark Matter and Collider Searches

In gravity-mediated SUSY breaking models with non-universal gaugino masses, lowering the SU(3) gaugino mass |M_3| leads to a reduction in the squark and gluino masses. Lower third generation squark masses, in turn, diminish the effect of a large top quark Yukawa coupling in the running of the higgs mass parameter m_{H_u}^2, leading to a reduction in the magnitude of the superpotential mu parameter (relative to M_1 and M_2). A low | mu | parameter gives rise to mixed higgsino dark matter (MHDM), which can efficiently annihilate in the early universe to give a dark matter relic density in accord with WMAP measurements. We explore the phenomenology of the low |M_3| scenario, and find for the case of MHDM increased rates for direct and indirect detection of neutralino dark matter relative to the mSUGRA model. The sparticle mass spectrum is characterized by relatively light gluinos, frequently with m(gl)< Z_i+g loop decays dominating the gluino branching fraction. Top squarks can be much lighter than sbottom and first/second generation squarks. The presence of low mass higgsino-like charginos and neutralinos is expected at the CERN LHC. The small m(Z2)-m(Z1) mass gap should give rise to a visible opposite-sign/same flavor dilepton mass edge. At a TeV scale linear e^+e^- collider, the region of MHDM will mean that the entire spectrum of charginos and neutralinos are amongst the lightest sparticles, and are most likely to be produced at observable rates, allowing for a complete reconstruction of the gaugino-higgsino sector.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Low energy antideuterons: shedding light on dark matter

Low energy antideuterons suffer a very low secondary and tertiary astrophysical background, while they can be abundantly synthesized in dark matter pair annihilations, therefore providing a privileged indirect dark matter detection technique. The recent publication of the first upper limit on the low energy antideuteron flux by the BESS collaboration, a new evaluation of the standard astrophysical background, and remarkable progresses in the development of a dedicated experiment, GAPS, motivate a new and accurate analysis of the antideuteron flux expected in particle dark matter models. To this extent, we consider here supersymmetric, universal extra-dimensions (UED) Kaluza-Klein and warped extra-dimensional dark matter models, and assess both the prospects for antideuteron detection as well as the various related sources of uncertainties. The GAPS experiment, even in a preliminary balloon-borne setup, will explore many supersymmetric configurations, and, eventually, in its final space-borne configuration, will be sensitive to primary antideuterons over the whole cosmologically allowed UED parameter space, providing a search technique which is highly complementary with other direct and indirect dark matter detection experiments.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Exploring the BWCA (Bino-Wino Co-Annihilation) Scenario for Neutralino Dark Matter

In supersymmetric models with non-universal gaugino masses, it is possible to have opposite-sign SU(2) and U(1) gaugino mass terms. In these models, the gaugino eigenstates experience little mixing so that the lightest SUSY particle remains either pure bino or pure wino. The neutralino relic density can only be brought into accord with the WMAP measured value when bino-wino co-annihilation (BWCA) acts to enhance the dark matter annihilation rate. We map out parameter space regions and mass spectra which are characteristic of the BWCA scenario. Direct and indirect dark matter detection rates are shown to be typically very low. At collider experiments, the BWCA scenario is typified by a small mass gap m_{\tilde Z_2}-m_{\tilde Z_1} ~ 20-80 GeV, so that tree level two body decays of \tilde Z_2 are not allowed. However, in this case the second lightest neutralino has an enhanced loop decay branching fraction to photons. While the photonic neutralino decay signature looks difficult to extract at the Fermilab Tevatron, it should lead to distinctive events at the CERN LHC and at a linear e^+e^- collider.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Model Independent Approach to Focus Point Supersymmetry: from Dark Matter to Collider Searches

The focus point region of supersymmetric models is compelling in that it simultaneously features low fine-tuning, provides a decoupling solution to the SUSY flavor and CP problems, suppresses proton decay rates and can accommodate the WMAP measured cold dark matter (DM) relic density through a mixed bino-higgsino dark matter particle. We present the focus point region in terms of a weak scale parameterization, which allows for a relatively model independent compilation of phenomenological constraints and prospects. We present direct and indirect neutralino dark matter detection rates for two different halo density profiles, and show that prospects for direct DM detection and indirect detection via neutrino telescopes such as IceCube and anti-deuteron searches by GAPS are especially promising. We also present LHC reach prospects via gluino and squark cascade decay searches, and also via clean trilepton signatures arising from chargino-neutralino production. Both methods provide a reach out to m_{\tg}\sim 1.7 TeV. At a TeV-scale linear e^+e^- collider (LC), the maximal reach is attained in the \tz_1\tz_2 or \tz_1\tz_3 channels. In the DM allowed region of parameter space, a \sqrt{s}=0.5 TeV LC has a reach which is comparable to that of the LHC. However, the reach of a 1 TeV LC extends out to m_{\tg}\sim 3.5 TeV.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Direct, Indirect and Collider Detection of Neutralino Dark Matter In SUSY Models with Non-universal Higgs Masses

In supersymmetric models with gravity-mediated SUSY breaking, universality of soft SUSY breaking sfermion masses m_0 is motivated by the need to suppress unwanted flavor changing processes. The same motivation, however, does not apply to soft breaking Higgs masses, which may in general have independent masses from matter scalars at the GUT scale. We explore phenomenological implications of both the one-parameter and two-parameter non-universal Higgs mass models (NUHM1 and NUHM2), and examine the parameter ranges compatible with Omega_CDM h^2, BF(b --> s,gamma) and (g-2)_mu constraints. In contrast to the mSUGRA model, in both NUHM1 and NUHM2 models, the dark matter A-annihilation funnel can be reached at low values of tan(beta), while the higgsino dark matter annihilation regions can be reached for low values of m_0. We show that there may be observable rates for indirect and direct detection of neutralino cold dark matter in phenomenologically aceptable ranges of parameter space. We also examine implications of the NUHM models for the Fermilab Tevatron, the CERN LHC and a Sqrt(s)=0.5-1 TeV e+e- linear collider. Novel possibilities include: very light s-top_R, s-charm_R squark and slepton_L masses as well as light charginos and neutralinos and H, A and H^+/- Higgs bosons.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Mixed Wino Dark Matter: Consequences for Direct, Indirect and Collider Detection

In supersymmetric models with gravity-mediated SUSY breaking and gaugino mass unification, the predicted relic abundance of neutralinos usually exceeds the strict limits imposed by the WMAP collaboration. One way to obtain the correct relic abundance is to abandon gaugino mass universality and allow a mixed wino-bino lightest SUSY particle (LSP). The enhanced annihilation and scattering cross sections of mixed wino dark matter (MWDM) compared to bino dark matter lead to enhanced rates for direct dark matter detection, as well as for indirect detection at neutrino telescopes and for detection of dark matter annihilation products in the galactic halo. For collider experiments, MWDM leads to a reduced but significant mass gap between the lightest neutralinos so that chi_2^0 two-body decay modes are usually closed. This means that dilepton mass edges-- the starting point for cascade decay reconstruction at the CERN LHC-- should be accessible over almost all of parameter space. Measurement of the m_{\tz_2}-m_{\tz_1} mass gap at LHC plus various sparticle masses and cross sections as a function of beam polarization at the International Linear Collider (ILC) would pinpoint MWDM as the dominant component of dark matter in the universe.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Neutralino Cold Dark Matter in a One Parameter Extension of the Minimal Supergravity Model

Within the minimal supergravity model (mSUGRA) framework, the expectation for the relic density of neutralinos exceeds the WMAP determination unless neutralinos a) have a significant higgsino component, b) have a mass close to half that of a heavy Higgs boson, or c)can efficiently co-annihilate with a charged or colored particle. Within a 1-parameter extension of the mSUGRA model which includes non-universal Higgs masses, we show that agreement with the WMAP data can be obtained over a wide range of mSUGRA parameters for scenarios a) and b), so that the phenomenological implications may be much more diverse than in mSUGRA. We show that direct and/or indirect detection of neutralino dark matter should be possible at various current and planned facilities.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Reconciling Neutralino Relic Density with Yukawa Unified Supersymmetric Models

Supersymmetric grand unified models based on the gauge group SO(10) are especially attractive in light of recent data on neutrino masses. The simplest SO(10) SUSY GUT models predict unification of third generation Yukawa couplings in addition to the usual gauge coupling unification. Recent surveys of Yukawa unified SUSY GUT models predict an inverted scalar mass hierarchy in the spectrum of sparticle masses if the superpotential mu term is positive. In general, such models tend to predict an overabundance of dark matter in the universe. We survey several solutions to the dark matter problem in Yukawa unified supersymmetric models. One solution-- lowering the GUT scale mass value of first and second generation scalars-- leads to u_R and c_R squark masses in the 90-120 GeV regime, which should be accessible to Fermilab Tevatron experiments. We also examine relaxing gaugino mass universality which may solve the relic density problem by having neutralino annihilations via the Z or h resonances, or by having a wino-like LSP.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Indirect, Direct and Collider Detection of Neutralino Dark Matter

We examine the prospects for supersymmetry discovery in the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model via indirect detection of neutralino dark matter. We investigate rates for muon detection in neutrino telescopes, and detection of photons, positrons and anti-protons by balloon and space based experiments. We compare the discovery reach in these channels with the reach for direct detection of dark matter, and also with the reach of collider experiments such as Fermilab Tevatron, CERN LHC and a $\sqrt{s}=0.5-1$ TeV linear $e^+e^-$ collider. We pay particular attention to regions of model parameter space in accord with recent WMAP results on the dark matter density of the universe. We find that the IceCube neutrino telescope as well as 3rd generation direct dark matter detection experiments should be able to cover the {\it entire} WMAP allowed portion of the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region of parameter space. This is in contrast to the case of the CERN LHC or a linear $e^+e^-$ collider, where only a fraction of the HB/FP region can be accessed. In addition, we show that detection of $γ$s, $e^+$s and $\bar{p}$s should occur in much of the HB/FP region, as well as in the low $m_{1/2}$ portion of the $A$ annihilation funnel, and will be complementary to searches via colliders in these regions.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

SUSY Normal Scalar Mass Hierarchy Reconciles (g-2), b->s,gamma and Relic Density

Recent experimental and theoretical determinations of (g-2)_muon, Omega*h^2 and BF(b->s,gamma) place exceedingly tight constraints on the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model. We advocate relaxing the generational universality of mSUGRA, so that GUT scale third generation scalar masses are greater than the (degenerate) first and second generation scalar masses (a normal scalar mass hierarchy (NMH)). The non-degeneracy allows for a reconciliation of all the above constraints, and also respects FCNC limits from B_d-B_dbar mixing and b -> s,gamma. The NMH SUGRA model leads to the prediction of relatively light first and second generation sleptons. This yields large rates for multilepton collider signatures at the CERN LHC and also possibly at the Fermilab Tevatron. The spectrum of light sleptons should be accessible to a sqrt{s}=0.5-1TeV linear e^+e^-$ collider.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Two Photon Background and the Reach of a Linear Collider for Supersymmetry in WMAP Favored Coannihilation Regions

A neutralino relic density in accord with WMAP measurements can be found in the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model in several regions of parameter space: the stau co-annihilation corridor at low m_0 and the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region at large m_0 at the edges of parameter space, and the bulk and Higgs boson funnel regions within. In the regions at the edge, the mass gap between the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) and the lightest SUSY particle (LSP) becomes small, and backgrounds from $γγ\to f\bar{f}$ ($f$ is a SM fermion) become important for NLSP detection at an $e^+e^-$ linear collider. We evaluate these backgrounds from bremsstrahlung and beamstrahlung photons, and demonstrate that these do not preclude the observability of the signal for the cases where either the stau or the chargino is the NLSP. We also delineate the additional portion of the stau coannihilation region, beyond what can be accessed via a search for selectrons and smuons, that can be probed by a search for di-tau-jet events plus missing energy. The reach of a LC for SUSY in the HB/FP region is shown for an updated value of $m_t\simeq 180$ GeV as recently measured by the $DØ$ experiment.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Linear Collider Capabilities for Supersymmetry in Dark Matter Allowed Regions of the mSUGRA Model

Recent comparisons of minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model predictions with WMAP measurements of the neutralino relic density point to preferred regions of model parameter space. We investigate the reach of linear colliders (LC) with $\sqrt{s}=0.5$ and 1 TeV for SUSY in the framework of the mSUGRA model. We find that LCs can cover the entire stau co-annihilation region provided $\tanβ\alt 30$. In the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region of parameter space, specialized cuts are suggested to increase the reach in this important ``dark matter allowed'' area. In the case of the HB/FP region, the reach of a LC extends well past the reach of the CERN LHC. We examine a case study in the HB/FP region, and show that the MSSM parameters $μ$ and $M_2$ can be sufficiently well-measured to demonstrate that one would indeed be in the HB/FP region, where the lightest chargino and neutralino have a substantial higgsino component.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Probing Neutralino Resonance Annihilation via Indirect Detection of Dark Matter

The lightest neutralino of R-parity conserving supersymmetric models serves as a compelling candidate to account for the presence of cold dark matter in the universe. In the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model, a relic density can be found in accord with recent WMAP data for large values of the parameter $\tanβ$, where neutralino annihilation in the early universe occurs via the broad s-channel resonance of the pseudoscalar Higgs boson $A$. We map out rates for indirect detection of neutralinos via 1. detection of neutrinos arising from neutralino annihilation in the core of the earth or sun and 2. detection of gamma rays, antiprotons and positrons arising from neutralino annihilation in the galactic halo. If indeed $A$-resonance annihilation is the main sink for neutralinos in the early universe, then signals may occur in the gamma ray, antiproton and positron channels, while a signal in the neutrino channel would likely be absent. This is in contrast to the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region where {\it all} indirect detection signals are likely to occur, and also in contrast to the stau co-annihilation region, where {\it none} of the indirect signals are likely to occur.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Direct Detection of Dark Matter in Supersymmetric Models

We evaluate neutralino-nucleon scattering rates in several well-motivated supersymmetric models, and compare against constraints on the neutralino relic density, BF( b\to sγ) as well as the muon anomalous magnetic moment a_μ. In the mSUGRA model, the indirect constraints favor the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region of parameter space, and in fact this region is just where neutralino-nucleon scattering rates are high enough to be detected in direct dark matter search experiments! In Yukawa unified SUSY SO(10) models with scalar mass non-universality, the relic density of neutralinos is almost always above experimental bounds, while the corresponding direct detection rates are below experimental levels. Conversely, in five dimensional SO(10) models where gauge symmetry breaking is the result of compactification of the extra dimension, and supersymmetry breaking is communicated via gaugino mediation, the relic density is quite low, while direct detection rates can be substantial.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Updated Reach of the CERN LHC and Constraints from Relic Density, b->s gamma and a(mu) in the mSUGRA Model

{We present an updated assessment of the reach of the CERN LHC pp collider for supersymmetric matter in the context of the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model. In addition to previously examined channels, we also include signals with an isolated photon or with a leptonically decaying Z boson. For an integrated luminosity of 100 fb^{-1}, values of m_{1/2}\sim 1400 GeV can be probed for small m_0, corresponding to a gluino mass of m_{\tg}\sim 3 TeV. For large m_0, in the hyperbolic branch/focus point region, m_{1/2}\sim 700 GeV can be probed, corresponding to m_{\tg}\sim 1800 GeV. We also map out parameter space regions preferred by the measured values of the dark matter relic density, the b\to sγdecay rate, and the muon anomalous magnetic moment a_μ, and discuss how SUSY might reveal itself in these regions. We find the CERN LHC can probe the entire stau co-annihilation region and also most of the heavy Higgs annihilation funnel allowed by WMAP data, except for some range of large m_0 and m_{1/2} if \tanβ\agt 50.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Reach of the Fermilab Tevatron for minimal supergravity in the region of large scalar masses

The reach of the Fermilab Tevatron for supersymmetric matter has been calculated in the framework of the minimal supergravity model in the clean trilepton channel. Previous analyses of this channel were restricted to scalar masses m_0<= 1 TeV. We extend the analysis to large values of scalar masses m_0\sim 3.5 TeV. This includes the compelling hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region, where the superpotential μparameter becomes small. In this region, assuming a 5σ(3σ) signal with 10 (25) fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, the Tevatron reach in the trilepton channel extends up to m_{1/2}\sim 190 (270) GeV independent of \tanβ. This corresponds to a reach in terms of the gluino mass of m_{\tg}\sim 575 (750) GeV.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Chi**2 analysis of the minimal supergravity model including WMAP, g(mu)-2 and b -> s gamma constraints

Recent results from the WMAP measurements of the cosmic background radiation yield very tight constraints on the relic density of supersymmetric cold dark matter. We combine the WMAP constraint with those from the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and the b -> s gamma branching fraction in a chi^2 determination over the minimal supergravity model (mSUGRA) parameter space. The most favored region of mSUGRA parameter space for almost all tan(beta) values is the hyperbolic branch/focus point (HB/FP) region, with moderate to small values of superpotential Higgs mass |mu| and large GUT scale scalar mass m_0. These favored regions of mSUGRA parameter space can be probed by direct search experiments for supersymmetric dark matter. An exception to the HB/FP region can occur at very large tan(beta) with positive mu values, where wide regions allow resonance annihilation of neutralinos in the early universe.

hep-ph↗