Yukawa Coupling Unification in Supersymmetric Models

We present an updated assessment of the viability of t-b-tau Yukawa coupling unification in supersymmetric models. For the superpotential Higgs mass parameter mu>0, we find unification to less than 1% is possible, but only for GUT scale scalar mass parameter m_{16}~8-20 TeV, and small values of gaugino mass m_{1/2}<400 GeV. Such models require that a GUT scale mass splitting exists amongst Higgs scalars with m_{H_u}^2<m_{H_d}^2. Viable solutions lead to a radiatively generated inverted scalar mass hierarchy, with third generation and Higgs scalars being lighter than other sfermions. These models have very heavy sfermions, so that unwanted flavor changing and CP violating SUSY processes are suppressed, but may suffer from some fine-tuning requirements. While the generated spectra satisfy b->s gamma and (g-2)_mu constraints, there exists tension with the dark matter relic density unless m_{16}<3 TeV. These models offer prospects for a SUSY discovery at the Fermilab Tevatron collider via the search for chargino_1 neutralino_2 -> 3 leptons events, or via gluino pair production. If mu<0, Yukawa coupling unification to less than 5% can occur for m_{16} and m_{1/2}>1-2 TeV. Consistency of negative mu Yukawa unified models with b->s gamma, (g-2)_mu, and relic density all imply very large values of m_{1/2} typically greater than about 2.5 TeV, in which case direct detection of sparticles may be a challenge even at the LHC.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figures. Fig.15 changed, some references were added. A copy of the paper with better resolution figures can be found at http://www.hep.fsu.edu/~balazs/Physics/Papers/2003

Sparticle Mass Spectrum in Grand Unified Theories

We carry out a detailed analysis of sparticle mass spectrum in supersymmetric grand unified theories. We consider the spectroscopy of the squarks and sleptons in SU(5) and SO(10) grand unified theories, and show how the underlying supersymmetry breaking parameters of these theories can be determined from a measurement of different sparticle masses. This analysis is done analytically by integrating the one-loop renormalization group equations with appropriate boundary conditions implied by the underlying grand unified gauge group. We also consider the impact of non-universal gaugino masses on the sparticle spectrum, especially the neutralino and chargino masses which arise in supersymmetric grand unified theories with non-minimal gauge kinetic function. In particular, we study the interrelationships between the squark and slepton masses which arise in grand unified theories at the one-loop level, which can be used to distinguish between the different underlying gauge groups and their breaking pattern to the Standard Model gauge group. We also comment on the corrections that can affect these one-loop results.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figure

String-derived D4 flavor symmetry and phenomenological implications

In this paper we show how some flavor symmetries may be derived from the heterotic string, when compactified on a 6D orbifold. In the body of the paper we focus on the $D_4$ family symmetry, recently obtained in $Z_3 \times Z_2$ orbifold constructions. We show how this flavor symmetry constrains fermion masses, as well as the soft SUSY breaking mass terms. Flavor symmetry breaking can generate the hierarchy of fermion masses and at the same time the flavor symmetry suppresses large flavor changing neutral current processes.Comment: 17 pages, no figur

Uncertainties of the Inclusive Higgs Production Cross Section at the Tevatron and the LHC

We study uncertainties of the predicted inclusive Higgs production cross section due to the uncertainties of parton distribution functions (PDF). Particular attention is given to bbH Yukawa coupling enhanced production mechanisms in beyond SM scenarios, such as MSSM. The PDF uncertainties are determined by the robust Lagrange Multiplier method within the CTEQ global analysis framework. We show that PDF uncertainties dominate over theoretical uncertainties of the perturbative calculation (usually estimated by the scale dependence of the calculated cross sections), except for low Higgs masses at LHC. Thus for the proper interpretation of any Higgs signal, and for better understanding of the underlying electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism, it is important to gain better control of the uncertainties of the PDFs.Comment: LaTeX, JHEP, 19 pages, 14 figure

Is "just-so" Higgs splitting needed for t-b-\tau Yukawa unified SUSY GUTs?

Recent renormalization group calculations of the sparticle mass spectrum in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) show that t-b-\tau Yukawa coupling unification at M_{\rm GUT} is possible when the mass spectra follow the pattern of a radiatively induced inverted scalar mass hierarchy. The calculation is entirely consistent with expectations from SO(10) SUSY GUT theories, with one exception: it seems to require MSSM Higgs soft term mass splitting at M_{\rm GUT}, dubbed "just-so Higgs splitting" (HS) in the literature, which apparently violates the SO(10) gauge symmetry. Here, we investigate three alternative effects: {\it i}). SO(10) D-term splitting, {\it ii}). inclusion of right hand neutrino in the RG calculation, and {\it iii}). first/third generation scalar mass splitting. By combining all three effects (the DR3 model), we find t-b-\tau Yukawa unification at M_{\rm GUT} can be achieved at the 2.5% level. In the DR3 case, we expect lighter (and possibly detectable) third generation and heavy Higgs scalars than in the model with HS. In addition, the light bottom squark in DR3 should be dominantly a right state, while in the HS model, it is dominantly a left state.Comment: 21 pages with 11 .eps figures; revised version added two reference

Dark matter allowed scenarios for Yukawa-unified SO(10) SUSY GUTs

Simple supersymmetric grand unified models based on the gauge group SO(10) require --in addition to gauge and matter unification-- the unification of t-b-\tau Yukawa couplings. Yukawa unification, however, only occurs for very special values of the soft SUSY breaking parameters. We perform a search using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to investigate model parameters and sparticle mass spectra which occur in Yukawa-unified SUSY models, where we also require the relic density of neutralino dark matter to saturate the WMAP-measured abundance. We find the spectrum is characterizd by three mass scales: first/second generation scalars in the multi-TeV range, third generation scalars in the TeV range, and gauginos in the \sim 100 GeV range. Most solutions give far too high a relic abundance of neutralino dark matter. The dark matter discrepancy can be rectified by 1. allowing for neutralino decay to axino plus photon, 2. imposing gaugino mass non-universality or 3. imposing generational non-universality. In addition, the MCMC approach finds 4. a compromise solution where scalar masses are not too heavy, and where neutralino annihilation occurs via the light Higgs h resonance. By imposing weak scale Higgs soft term boundary conditions, we are also able to generate 5. low \mu, m_A solutions with neutralino annihilation via a light A resonance, though these solutions seem to be excluded by CDF/D0 measurements of the B_s\to \mu^+\mu^- branching fraction. Based on the dual requirements of Yukawa coupling unification and dark matter relic density, we predict new physics signals at the LHC from pair production of 350--450 GeV gluinos. The events are characterized by very high b-jet multiplicity and a dilepton mass edge around mz2-mz1 \sim 50-75 GeV.Comment: 35 pages with 21 eps figure

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.Comment: 34 pages plus 36 eps figure

Transverse momentum resummation for Higgs boson produced via bb-bar fusion at hadron colliders

We study the impact of initial-state multiple parton radiation on transverse momentum $(q_T)$ distribution of Higgs boson produced via bottom quark fusion at hadron colliders. The shape of the resulting $q_T$ distribution is affected by the bottom-quark mass corrections and by the strong kinematical behavior of the bottom-quark parton density. We account for both features in the full range of $q_T$. To do this, we formulate the resummation calculation in a general-mass factorization (S-ACOT) scheme and introduce a correction in the resummed-term to account for the effect from large-$q_T$ kinematics of Higgs boson. The results of this resummation are compared to fixed-order and PYTHIA predictions.Comment: LaTex, 20 pages, 7 figure

Bi-large Neutrino Mixing and Mass of the Lightest Neutrino from Third Generation Dominance in a Democratic Approach

We show that both small mixing in the quark sector and large mixing in the lepton sector can be obtained from a simple assumption of universality of Yukawa couplings and the right-handed neutrino Majorana mass matrix in leading order. We discuss conditions under which bi-large mixing in the lepton sector is achieved with a minimal amount of fine-tuning requirements for possible models. From knowledge of the solar and atmospheric mixing angles we determine the allowed values of sin \theta_{13}. If embedded into grand unified theories, the third generation Yukawa coupling unification is a generic feature while masses of the first two generations of charged fermions depend on small perturbations. In the neutrino sector, the heavier two neutrinos are model dependent, while the mass of the lightest neutrino in this approach does not depend on perturbations in the leading order. The right-handed neutrino mass scale can be identified with the GUT scale in which case the mass of the lightest neutrino is given as (m_{top}^2/M_{GUT}) sin^2 \theta_{23} sin^2 \theta_{12} in the limit sin \theta_{13} = 0. Discussing symmetries we make a connection with hierarchical models and show that the basis independent characteristic of this scenario is a strong dominance of the third generation right-handed neutrino, M_1, M_2 < 10^{-4} M_3, M_3 = M_{GUT}.Comment: typos correcte