Breaking Eight-fold Degeneracies in Neutrino CP Violation, Mixing, and Mass Hierarchy

We identify three independent two-fold parameter degeneracies (\delta, \theta_{13}), sgn(\delta m^2_{31}) and (\theta_{23}, \pi/2-\theta_{23}) inherent in the usual three-neutrino analysis of long-baseline neutrino experiments, which can lead to as much as an eight-fold degeneracy in the determination of the oscillation parameters. We discuss the implications these degeneracies have for detecting CP violation and present criteria for breaking them. A superbeam facility with a baseline at least as long as the distance between Fermilab and Homestake (1290 km) and a narrow band beam with energy tuned so that the measurements are performed at the first oscillation peak can resolve all the ambiguities other than the (\theta_{23}, \pi/2-\theta_{23}) ambiguity (which can be resolved at a neutrino factory) and a residual (\delta, \pi-\delta) ambiguity. However, whether or not CP violation occurs in the neutrino sector can be ascertained independently of the latter two ambiguities. The (\delta,\pi-\delta) ambiguity can be eliminated by performing a second measurement to which only the \cos\delta terms contribute. The hierarchy of mass eigenstates can be determined at other oscillation peaks only in the most optimistic conditions, making it necessary to use the first oscillation maximum. We show that the degeneracies may severely compromise the ability of the proposed SuperJHF-HyperKamiokande experiment to establish CP violation. In our calculations we use approximate analytic expressions for oscillation probabilitites that agree with numerical solutions with a realistic Earth density profile.Comment: Revtex (singlespaced), 35 pages, 15 postscript figures, uses psfig.st

Searching for a heavy Higgs boson via the H --> l nu jj decay mode at the CERN LHC

The discovery of a heavy Higgs boson with mass up to m_H = 1 TeV at the CERN LHC is possible in the H--> W^+W^- --> l nu jj decay mode. The weak boson scattering signal and backgrounds from t\bar tjj and from W+jets production are analyzed with parton level Monte Carlo programs which are built on full tree level amplitudes for all subprocesses. The use of double jet tagging and the reconstruction of the W invariant mass reduce the combined backgrounds to the same level as the Higgs signal. A central mini-jet veto, which distinguishes the different gluon radiation patterns of the hard processes, further improves the signal to background ratio to about 2.5:1, with a signal cross section of 1 fb. The jet energy asymmetry of the W --> jj decay will give a clear signature of the longitudinal polarization of the W's in the final event sample.Comment: 23 pages (with 7 embedded figures), Revtex, uses epsf.sty. Z-compressed postscript version also available at http://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1997/madph-97-1017.ps.Z or at ftp://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1997/madph-97-1017.ps.

Search for Physics Beyond the Standard Model

We survey some recent ideas and progress in looking for particle physics beyond the Standard Model, connected by the theme of Supersymmetry (SUSY). We review the success of SUSY-GUT models, the expected experimental signatures and present limits on SUSY partner particles, and Higgs phenomenology in the minimal SUSY model.Comment: Standard Latex file. 18 pages without figures. (Calls to postscript figure files blocked out. Full 32 page version with 37 in-text figures available via regular mail.) MAD/PH/75

Sparticle Production in Electron-Photon Collisions

We explore the potential of electron-photon colliders to measure fundamental supersymmetry parameters via the processes $e\gamma \to \tilde e \tilde\chi^0$ (selectron-neutralino) and $e\gamma\to \tilde\nu \tilde\chi^-$ (sneutrino-chargino). Given the $\tilde\chi^0$ and $\tilde\chi^-$ masses from $e^+e^-$ and hadron collider studies, cross section ratios $\sigma(\gamma_-)/\sigma(\gamma_+)$ for opposite photon helicities determine the $\tilde\nu_L$, $\tilde e_L$ and $\tilde e_R$ masses, independent of the sparticle branching fractions. The difference $m_{\tilde\nu_L}^2-m_{\tilde e_L}^2$ measures $M_W^2\cos2\beta$ in a model-independent way. The $\tilde e_L$ and $\tilde e_R$ masses test the universality of soft supersymmetry breaking scalar masses. The cross section normalizations provide information about the gaugino mixing parameters.Comment: add refs; add \tightenline