arXiv subjects

Stephen P. Martin

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen P. Martin.

101 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv1996

Flat directions in the scalar potential of the supersymmetric standard model

The scalar potential of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) is nearly flat along many directions in field space. We provide a catalog of the flat directions of the renormalizable and supersymmetry-preserving part of the scalar potential of the MSSM, using the correspondence between flat directions and gauge-invariant polynomials of chiral superfields. We then study how these flat directions are lifted by non-renormalizable terms in the superpotential, with special attention given to the subtleties associated with the family index structure. Several flat directions are lifted only by supersymmetry-breaking effects and by supersymmetric terms in the scalar potential of surprisingly high dimensionality.

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arXiv1996

Implications of supersymmetric models with natural R-parity conservation

In the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the conservation of R-parity is phenomenologically desirable, but is ad hoc in the sense that it is not required for the internal consistency of the theory. However, if B-L is gauged at very high energies, R-parity will be conserved automatically and exactly, provided only that all order parameters carry even integer values of 3(B-L). We propose a minimal extension of the supersymmetric standard model in which R-parity conservation arises naturally in this way. This approach predicts the existence of a very weakly coupled, neutral chiral supermultiplet of particles with electroweak-scale masses and lifetimes which may be cosmologically interesting. Neutrino masses arise via an intermediate-scale seesaw mechanism, and a solution to the $μ$ problem is naturally incorporated. The apparent unification of gauge couplings at high energies is shown to be preserved in this approach. We also discuss a next-to-minimal extension, which predicts a pair of electroweak-scale chiral supermultiplets with electric charge 2.

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arXiv1996

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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arXiv1995

Two-photon decays of the lightest Higgs boson of supersymmetry at the LHC

We discuss the production and two-photon decay of the lightest Higgs boson (h) of the minimal supersymmetric standard model at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Since the observability of the signal is quite model dependent, we conduct a thorough scan of the parameter space of minimal supersymmetry, including experimental and theoretical constraints. If kinematically allowed, supersymmetric decay modes of h may be important, and can even dominate all others. The coupling of h to $b\overline b$ can be different from that of a standard model Higgs boson; this can diminish (or enhance, but only if tan$β$ is very large) the h -> $γγ$ signal. We emphasize the importance of a full treatment of radiative corrections in the Higgs sector for obtaining the h $b\overline b$ coupling. If supersymmetric particles are not too heavy, their contributions in loops can either enhance or suppress both the production cross-section and the h -> $γγ$ branching fraction. We discuss the relative importance of these factors in the context of various scenarios for the discovery of supersymmetry. Even if h is not detected at the LHC, h may still exist in its expected mass region.

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arXiv1995

Low-energy supersymmetry with D-term contributions to scalar masses

We investigate how the predictions of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model are modified by D-term contributions to soft scalar masses, which arise whenever the rank of the gauge group at very high energies is greater than four. We give a parameterization of the most general such contributions that can occur when the unbroken gauge symmetry is an arbitrary subgroup of E_6, and show how the D-term contributions leave their imprint on physics at ordinary energies. We impose experimental constraints on the resulting parameter space and discuss some features of the resulting supersymmetric spectrum which differ from the predictions obtained with universal boundary conditions on scalar masses near the Planck scale. These include relations between squark and slepton masses; the behavior of $\sin^2 (β-α)$ (which determines the production cross-section for the lightest Higgs scalar boson at an e+e- collider) and the mass of the pseudoscalar Higgs bosons; R_b [the ratio $Γ(Z -> b\overline b)/Γ(Z -> hadrons)$; and mass differences between charginos and neutralinos.

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arXiv1995

Raising the unification scale in supersymmetry

In the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the three gauge couplings appear to unify at a mass scale near $2 \times 10^{16}$ GeV. We investigate the possibility that intermediate scale particle thresholds modify the running couplings so as to increase the unification scale. By requiring consistency of this scenario, we derive some constraints on the particle content and locations of the intermediate thresholds. There are remarkably few acceptable solutions with a single cleanly defined intermediate scale far below the unification scale.

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arXiv1994

Discrete symmetries and isosinglet quarks in low-energy supersymmetry

Many extensions of the minimal supersymmetric standard model contain superfields for quarks which are singlets under weak isospin with electric charge -1/3. We explore the possibility that such isosinglet quarks have low or intermediate scale masses, but do not mediate rapid proton decay because of a discrete symmetry. By imposing the discrete gauge anomaly cancellation conditions, we show that the simplest way to achieve this is to extend the Z_3 "baryon parity" of Ibanez and Ross to the isosinglet quark superfields. This can be done in three distinct ways. This strategy is not consistent with grand unification with a simple gauge group, but may find a natural place in superstring-inspired models, for example. An interesting feature of this scenario is that proton decay is absolutely forbidden.

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arXiv1994

Decoupling of the $ε$-scalar mass in softly broken supersymmetry

It has been shown recently that the introduction of an unphysical $ε$-scalar mass $\tilde{m}$ is necessary for the proper renormalization of softly broken supersymmetric theories by dimensional reduction ($\drbar$). In these theories, both the two-loop $β$-functions of the scalar masses and their one-loop finite corrections depend on $\tilde{m}^2$. We find, however, that the dependence on $\tilde{m}^2$ can be completely removed by slightly modifying the \drbar renormalization scheme. We also show that previous \drbar calculations of one-loop corrections in supersymmetry which ignored the $\tilde{m}^2$ contribution correspond to using this modified scheme.

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arXiv1993

Automatic Gauged R-Parity

In the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the existence of R-parity is not required for the internal consistency of the theory and might therefore be regarded as ad hoc. I catalog some simple conditions which are sufficient to guarantee that R-parity survives as an unbroken gauged discrete subgroup of the continuous gauge symmetry in certain extensions of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. If these criteria are met, R-parity is automatic. [Based on a talk given at the International Workshop on Supersymmetry and Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY93) at Northeastern University, Boston, March 29-April 1 1993.]

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arXiv1993

Sparticle Spectrum Constraints

The supersymmetric standard model with supergravity-inspired soft breaking terms predicts a rich pectrum of sparticles to be discovered at the SSC, LHC and NLC. Because there are more supersymmetric particles than unknown parameters, one can write down sum rules relating their masses. We discuss the pectrum of sparticles from this point of view. Some of the sum rules do not depend on the input parameters and can be used to test the consistency of the model, while others are useful in determining the input parameters of the theory. If supersymmetry is discovered but the sum rules turn out to be violated, it will be evidence of new physics beyond the minimal supersymmetric standard model with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking terms.

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arXiv1992

Self-Breaking Technicolor

We propose a scenario in which the electroweak symmetry is spontaneously broken by an $SU(4)$ technicolor gauge interaction which also manages to break itself completely. The technicolor gauge bosons and technifermions are not confined by the technicolor force, but get large masses. Starting with a single technidoublet, one emerges with a complete standard model family of technifermions after the symmetry breaking is complete. This suggests a broad new avenue for model building. A few variations on the theme are mentioned.

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