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S. Ambrosanio

Publications and source records attributed to S. Ambrosanio.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Three-body decays of selectrons and smuons in low-energy supersymmetry breaking models

In models with low-energy supersymmetry breaking, it is well-known that charged sleptons can be significantly lighter than the lightest neutralino, with the gravitino and lighter stau being the lightest and next-to-lightest supersymmetric particles respectively. We give analytical formulas for the three-body decays of right-handed selectrons and smuons into final states involving a tau, a stau, and an electron or muon, which are relevant in this scenario. We find that the three-body decays dominate over much of the parameter space, but the two-body decays into a lepton and a gravitino can compete if the three-body phase space is small and the supersymmetry-breaking scale (governing the two-body channel) is fairly low. We study this situation quantitatively for typical gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking model parameters. The three-body decay lengths are possibly macroscopic, leading to new unusual signals. We also analyze the final-state energy distributions, and briefly assess the prospects for detecting these decays at CERN LEP2 and other colliders.

hep-ph

Implications of the Higgs Boson Searches on Different Soft SUSY-breaking Scenarios

We investigate the Higgs boson sector of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) in the framework of the three most prominent soft SUSY-breaking scenarios, mSUGRA, MGMSB and mAMSB. For each scenario, we determine the parameters at the electroweak scale from the set of input variables at higher energy scales (depending on the specific scenario) and evaluate the Higgs boson properties. The latter are based on results obtained within the Feynman-diagrammatic approach by taking into account the complete one-loop and the dominant two-loop contributions. The maximum value of the mass of the lightest neutral CP-even MSSM Higgs boson, m_h, is determined in the three scenarios, and the behavior of the Higgs couplings to fermions and gauge bosons is investigated. Restrictions on tan beta and on the set of higher-energy scale parameters are derived from the lower limits arising from the Higgs search at LEP2. We furthermore discuss the regions of parameter space in the three scenarios compatible with interpreting the excess observed at LEP2 as a Higgs signal, with m_h = (115.0 + 1.3 - 0.9) GeV. The case where the events observed at LEP2 could originate from the production of the heavier neutral CP-even Higgs boson is also considered. The implications of a possible Higgs signal at 115 GeV for SUSY searches at future colliders are briefly discussed for each of the three scenarios.

hep-ph

Measuring the SUSY Breaking Scale at the LHC in the Slepton NLSP Scenario of GMSB Models

We report a study on the measurement of the SUSY breaking scale sqrt(F) in the framework of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking (GMSB) models at the LHC. The work is focused on the GMSB scenario where a stau is the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) and decays into a gravitino with lifetime c*tau_NLSP in the range 0.5 m to 1 km. We study the identification of long-lived sleptons using the momentum and time of flight measurements in the muon chambers of the ATLAS experiment. A realistic evaluation of the statistical and systematic uncertainties on the measurement of the slepton mass and lifetime is performed, based on a detailed simulation of the detector response. Accessible range and precision on sqrt(F) achievable with a counting method are assessed. Many features of our analysis can be extended to the study of different theoretical frameworks with similar signatures at the LHC.

hep-ph

SUSY Long-Lived Massive Particles: Detection and Physics at the LHC

We draw a possible scenario for the observation of massive long-lived charged particles at the LHC detector ATLAS. The required flexibility of the detector triggers and of the identification and reconstruction systems are discussed. As an example, we focus on the measurement of the mass and lifetime of long-lived charged sleptons predicted in the framework of supersymmetric models with gauge-mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking. In this case, the next-to-lightest SUSY particle can be the light scalar partner of the tau lepton, possibly decaying slowly into a gravitino. A wide region of the SUSY parameters space was explored. The accessible range and precision on the measurement of the SUSY breaking scale parameter sqrt(F) achievable with a counting method are assessed.

hep-ph

Report of the Beyond the MSSM Subgroup for the Tevatron Run II SUSY/Higgs Workshop

There are many low-energy models of supersymmetry breaking parameters which are motivated by theoretical and experimental considerations. Here, we discuss some of the lesser-known theories of low-energy supersymmetry, and outline their phenomenological consequences. In some cases, these theories have more gauge symmetry or particle content than the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. In other cases, the parameters of the Lagrangian are unusual compared to commonly accepted norms (e.g., Wino LSP, heavy gluino LSP, light gluino, etc.). The phenomenology of supersymmetry varies greatly between the different models. Correspondingly, particular aspects of the detectors assume greater or lesser importance. Detection of supersymmetry and the determination of all parameters may well depend upon having the widest possible view of supersymmetry phenomenology.

hep-ph

Summary of the SUSY Working Group of the 1999 Les Houches Workshop

The results obtained by the Working Group on Supersymmetry at the 1999 Les Houches Workshop on Collider Physics are summarized. Separate chapters treat "general" supersymmetry, R-parity violation, gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking, and anomaly mediated supersymmetry breaking.

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Aspects of GMSB Phenomenology at TeV Colliders

The status of two on-going studies concerning important aspects of the phenomenology of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking (GMSB) models at TeV colliders is reported. The first study deals with the characteristics of the light Higgs boson spectrum allowed by the (minimal and non-minimal) GMSB framework. Today's most accurate GMSB model generation and two-loop Feynman-diagrammatic calculation of m_h have been combined. The Higgs masses are shown in dependence of various model parameters at the messenger and electroweak scales. In the minimal model, an upper limit on m_h of about 124 GeV is found for m_t = 175 GeV. The second study is focused on the measurement of the fundamental SUSY breaking scale sqrt(F) at the LHC in the GMSB scenario where a stau is the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) and decays into a gravitino with c*tau_NLSP in the range 0.5 m to 1 km. This implies the measurement of mass and lifetime of long lived sleptons. The identification is performed by determining the time of flight in the ATLAS muon chambers. Accessible range and precision on sqrt(F) achievable with a counting method are assessed.

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Signals for gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking models at the CERN LEP2 collider

We consider a general class of models with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking in which the gravitino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. Several qualitatively different scenarios arise for the phenomenology of such models, depending on which superpartner(s) decay dominantly to the gravitino. At LEP2, neutralino pair production and slepton pair production can lead to a variety of promising discovery signals, which we systematically study. We investigate the impact of backgrounds for these signals and show how they can be reduced, and outline the effects of model parameter variations on the discovery potential.

hep-ph

Low energy supersymmetry with a neutralino LSP and the CDF eeγγ+ missing E_T event

We present a refined and expanded analysis of the CDF $eeγγ+ \Et$ event as superpartner production, assuming the lightest neutralino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. A general low-energy Lagrangian is constrained by a minimum cross section times branching ratio into two electrons and two photons, kinematics consistent with the event, and LEP1-LEP130 data. We examine how the supersymmetric parameters depend on the kinematics, branching ratios and experimental predictions with a selectron interpretation of the event, and discuss to what extent these are modified by other interpretations. Predictions for imminent CERN LEP upgrades and the present and future Fermilab Tevatron are presented. Finally, we briefly discuss the possible connection to other phenomena including a light stop, the neutralino relic density, the shift in $R_b$ and the associated shift in $α_s$, and implications for the form of the theory.

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Light Higgsino Detection at LEP1.5

Within the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model, the best fit to the most recent precision-measurement data requires charginos and neutralinos, with dominant Higgsino components and with masses within the reach of LEP1.5 ($\sqrt{s}=140$ GeV). In this work, we present a detailed analysis of the neutralino and chargino production processes for the favoured region of parameter space, that is low values of $|μ|$ and either low or large values of $\tanβ$. We find that chargino and neutralino searches can cover the Higgsino region in the ($μ,M_2$) plane for values of $M_2 \simlt 1$ TeV, at the next phases of the LEP collider. We also show that, due mainly to phase-space constraints, the lightest neutralinos should be more easily detectable than charginos in most of the parameter space preferred by precision-measurement data.

hep-ph

Search for supersymmetry with a light gravitino at the Fermilab Tevatron and CERN LEP colliders

We analyze the prospects for discovering supersymmetry at the Fermilab Tevatron and CERN LEP colliders in the scenario that the lightest supersymmetric particle is a gravitino of mass < 1 keV. We consider in particular the case that the lightest neutralino has a nearly 100% branching fraction into gravitino + photon within the detector. This implies that supersymmetric events should contain both missing (transverse) energy and two energetic photons. Therefore one can search for supersymmetry simply through inclusive production of superpartners. We consider the exclusion and reach capabilities of the Tevatron in exploring the supersymmetric parameter space, and study the efficiencies which can be achieved in this search. We also consider the discovery reach and backgrounds at LEP with $\sqrt{s} =$ 160, 175, and 190 GeV.

hep-ph

Single-photon signal from neutralinos at LEP2

The production of invisible pairs of lightest neutralinos accompanied by a large-angle hard photon in the reaction $e^+ e^- \to χ^0_1 χ^0_1 γ$ is studied at LEP2 energies. The most general gaugino/higgsino composition of the $χ^0_1$ within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model is assumed. The spectrum of the observed photon is derived within the framework of the $p_t$-dependent structure-function approach, whose accuracy is assessed to be within the foreseen experimental accuracy at LEP2. Higher-order QED corrections due to undetected initial-state radiation are also included. A comparison with the Standard Model main background from $e^+ e^- \to ν\bar νγ$ is performed for optimized photon kinematical cuts. Quantitative conclusions on the signal/background ratio are given for a wide range of values of the SUSY parameters.

hep-ph

Supersymmetric analysis and predictions based on the CDF eeγγ+ missing E_T event

We have analyzed the single $\eegg + \slashchar{E}_T$ event at CDF and found that the expected rate and kinematics are consistent with selectron pair production. We consider two classes of general low-energy supersymmetric theories, where either the lightest neutralino (``neutralino LSP'' scenario) or the gravitino (``light gravitino'' scenario) is the lightest supersymmetric particle. The parameter space of the supersymmetric Lagrangian is tightly constrained by the kinematics of the event and the branching ratios for the necessary decay chain of the selectron. We identify a region of the parameter space satisfying all low-energy constraints, and consistent with the selectron interpretation of the $eeγγ+ \Et$ event. We discuss other supersymmetric processes at Fermilab Tevatron and at CERN LEP in both scenarios that could confirm or exclude a supersymmetric explanation of the event, and that could distinguish between the neutralino LSP and the light gravitino scenarios.

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Searches For New Physics

Review of prospects for discovery of new physics signals at LEP2. The areas covered include SUSY, exotic fermions, BESS models, leptoquarks, virtual effects and CP violating observables.

hep-ph

Neutralino Decays in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

A complete phenomenological study of the next-to-lightest neutralino decays is performed in the MSSM. The widths and branching ratios for all the possible decay channels (including the radiative decay X0(2) --> X0(1) gamma and the decay into a light Higgs X0(2) --> X0(1) h0) are studied in detail as functions of all the SuSy parameters of the model. Particular attention is paid to situations that are interesting for LEP2 searches. Non-trivial decay patterns are found that critically depend on the region of the parameter space considered.

hep-ph

Neutralino Production as SuSy Discovery Process at CERN LEP2

A thorough study is performed on pair production and signatures of supersymmetric neutralinos in the MSSM at LEP2. Particular attention is paid to the region of the SuSy parameter space where the associated production of lightest and next-to-lightest neutralinos is the only visible allowed supersymmetric process. In that region, the signal is critically dependent on the selectron masses m(e_L,R). For sqrt(s)/2 < m(e_L,R) < 200-300 GeV and charginos above the threshold for pair production, neutralinos arising from e+e- --> X0(1)X0(2) could be the only SuSy signal detectable at LEP2.

hep-ph

Single Top Production at the Next Generation Linear e+e- Colliders

Present limits on the top mass from LEP1 and Tevatron point to a top quark that is considerably heavier than the $W$ vector boson in the standard model. Hence, e+e- colliders with \sqrt{s} \simeq 300 GeV (the c.m. energy foreseen at the first phase of the Next Linear e+e- Collider) could be well below the energy threshold for real top-pair production. We argue that, if this is the case, single top production through the process e+e- --> t\bar{b}W- (\bar{t}bW+), where t\bar{b} (\bar{t}b) are produced mainly by means of a virtual W, becomes the dominant top production mechanism. Total cross sections and kinematical distributions are evaluated and numerical results are given in ranges of m_t and \sqrts{s} where single top production can be of relevance. The relative importance of virtual-W and virtual-t contributions to the process is discussed.

hep-ph