Hunting physics beyond the standard model with unusual W±W^\pm and ZZ decays

Nonstandard on-shell decays of $W^\pm$ and $Z$ bosons are possible within the framework of extended supersymmetric models, i.e., with singlet states and/or new couplings compared to the minimal supersymmetric standard model. These modes are typically encountered in regions of the parameter space with light singlet-like scalars, pseudoscalars, and neutralinos. In this letter we emphasize how these states can lead to novel signals at colliders from $Z$- or $W^\pm$-boson decays with prompt or displaced multileptons/tau jets/jets/photons in the final states. These new modes would give distinct evidence of new physics even when direct searches remain unsuccessful. We discuss the possibilities of probing these new signals using the existing LHC run-I data set. We also address the same in the context of the LHC run-II, as well as for the future colliders. We exemplify our observations with the "$\mu$ from $\nu$" supersymmetric standard model, where three generations of right-handed neutrino superfields are used to solve shortcomings of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We also extend our discussion for other variants of supersymmetric models that can accommodate similar signatures.Comment: New discussions and references added, 8 pages, 1 figure, matches with the published version in Phys. Rev.

Probing the "μ\mu from ν\nu" supersymmetric standard model with displaced multileptons from the decay of a Higgs boson at the LHC

The "$\mu$ from $\nu$" supersymmetric standard model ($\mu\nu$SSM) cures the $\mu$-problem and concurrently reproduces measured neutrino data by using a set of usual right-handed neutrino superfields. Recently, the LHC has revealed the first scalar boson which naturally makes it tempting to test $\mu\nu$SSM in the light of this new discovery. We show that this new scalar while decaying to a pair of unstable long-lived neutralinos, can lead to a distinct signal with non-prompt multileptons. With concomitant collider analysis we show that this signal provides an unmistakable signature of the model, pronounced with light neutralinos. Evidence of this signal is well envisaged with sophisticated displaced vertex analysis, which deserves experimental attention.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, title, text, abstract and references modifie

Looking for the left sneutrino LSP with displaced-vertex searches

We analyze a displaced dilepton signal expected at the LHC for a tau left sneutrino as the lightest supersymmetric particle with a mass in the range $45$-$100$ GeV. The sneutrinos are pair produced via a virtual $W$, $Z$ or $\gamma$ in the $s$ channel and, given the large value of the tau Yukawa coupling, their decays into two dileptons or a dilepton plus missing transverse energy from neutrinos can be significant. The discussion is carried out in the $\mu \nu$SSM, where the presence of $R$-parity violating couplings involving right-handed neutrinos solves the $\mu$ problem and can reproduce the neutrino data. To probe the tau left sneutrinos we compare the predictions of the $\mu \nu$SSM with the ATLAS search for long-lived particles using displaced lepton pairs in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt s= 8$ TeV, allowing us to constrain the parameter space of the model. We also consider an optimization of the trigger requirements used in existing displaced-vertex searches by means of a High Level Trigger that exploits tracker information. This optimization is generically useful for a light metastable particle decaying into soft charged leptons. The constraints on the sneutrino turn out to be more stringent. We finally discuss the prospects for the $13$ TeV LHC searches as well as further potential optimizations.Comment: Version published in PRD, discussions expanded, references added, LEP and LHC constraints discussed in more detail, 29 pages, 9 figures, 9 table

Dark matter candidates in the NMSSM with RH neutrino superfields

R-parity conserving supersymmetric models with right-handed (RH) neutrinos are very appealing since they could naturally explain neutrino physics and also provide a good dark matter (DM) candidate such as the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). In this work we consider the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) plus RH neutrino superfields, with effective Majorana masses dynamically generated at the electroweak scale (EW). We perform a scan of the relevant parameter space and study both possible DM candidates: RH sneutrino and neutralino. Especially for the case of RH sneutrino DM we analyse the intimate relation between both candidates to obtain the correct amount of relic density. Besides the well-known resonances, annihilations through scalar quartic couplings and coannihilation mechanisms with all kind of neutralinos, are crucial. Finally, we present the impact of current and future direct and indirect detection experiments on both DM candidates.Comment: Version published in JCAP, 40 pages, 8 figures, 6 table

Probing the μν\mu\nuSSM with light scalars, pseudoscalars and neutralinos from the decay of a SM-like Higgs boson at the LHC

The "$\mu$ from $\nu$" supersymmetric standard model ($\mu\nu$SSM) can accommodate the newly discovered Higgs-like scalar boson with a mass around 125 GeV. This model provides a solution to the $\mu$-problem and simultaneously reproduces correct neutrino physics by the simple use of right-handed neutrino superfields. These new superfields together with the introduced $R$-parity violation can produce novel and characteristic signatures of the $\mu\nu$SSM at the LHC. We explore the signatures produced through two-body Higgs decays into the new states, provided that these states lie below in the mass spectrum. For example, a pair produced light neutralinos depending on the associated decay length can give rise to displaced multi-leptons/taus/jets/photons with small/moderate missing transverse energy. In the same spirit, a Higgs-like scalar decaying to a pair of scalars/pseudoscalars can produce final states with prompt multi-leptons/taus/jets/photons.Comment: 58 pages, 3 figures, three new references added, matches with the published version in JHE

Novel signatures for vector-like quarks

We consider supersymmetric extensions of the standard model with a vector-like doublet (T B) of quarks with charge 2/3 and −1/3, respectively. Compared to non-supersymmetric models, there is a variety of new decay modes for the vector-like quarks, involving the extra scalars present in supersymmetry. The importance of these new modes, yielding multi-top, multi-bottom and also multi-Higgs signals, is highlighted by the analysis of several benchmark scenarios. We show how the triangles commonly used to represent the branching ratios of the ‘standard’ decay modes of the vector-like quarks involving W, Z or Higgs bosons can be generalised to include additional channels. We give an example by recasting the limits of a recent heavy quark search for this more general case.The work of J.A. Aguilar-Saavedra has been supported by MINECO Projects FPA 2016- 78220-C3-1-P and FPA 2013-47836-C3-2-P (including ERDF), and by Junta de Andaluc a Project FQM-101. The work of D.E. L opez-Fogliani has been supported by the Argentinian CONICET. The work of C. Mu~noz has been supported in part by the Programme SEV- 2012-0249 `Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa'. D.E. L opez-Fogliani and C. Mu~noz also acknowledge the support of the Spanish grant FPA2015-65929-P (MINECO/FEDER, UE), and MINECO's Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Programme under grant MultiDark CSD2009- 00064

The impact of the ATLAS zero-lepton, jets and missing momentum search on a CMSSM fit

Recent ATLAS data significantly extend the exclusion limits for supersymmetric particles. We examine the impact of such data on global fits of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM) to indirect and cosmological data. We calculate the likelihood map of the ATLAS search, taking into account systematic errors on the signal and on the background. We validate our calculation against the ATLAS determinaton of 95% confidence level exclusion contours. A previous CMSSM global fit is then re-weighted by the likelihood map, which takes a bite at the high probability density region of the global fit, pushing scalar and gaugino masses up.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures. v2 has bigger figures and fixed typos. v3 has clarified explanation of our handling of signal systematic

Naturalness and Fine Tuning in the NMSSM: Implications of Early LHC Results

We study the fine tuning in the parameter space of the semi-constrained NMSSM, where most soft Susy breaking parameters are universal at the GUT scale. We discuss the dependence of the fine tuning on the soft Susy breaking parameters M_1/2 and m0, and on the Higgs masses in NMSSM specific scenarios involving large singlet-doublet Higgs mixing or dominant Higgs-to-Higgs decays. Whereas these latter scenarios allow a priori for considerably less fine tuning than the constrained MSSM, the early LHC results rule out a large part of the parameter space of the semi-constrained NMSSM corresponding to low values of the fine tuning.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, bounds from Susy searches with ~1/fb include

Dark Matter in a Constrained NMSSM

We explore the parameter space of a Constrained Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with GUT scale boundary conditions (CNMSSM) and find regions where the relic density of the lightest neutralino is compatible with the WMAP measurement. We emphasize differences with the MSSM: cases where annihilation of the LSP occurs via a Higgs resonance at low values of tan\beta and cases where the LSP has a large singlino component. The particle spectrum as well as theoretical and collider constraints are calculated with NMSSMTools. All neutralino annihilation and coannihilation processes are then computed with micrOMEGAs, taking into account higher order corrections to the Higgs sector.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, references added, some comments added, version to be published in JCA

Radiative contribution to neutrino masses and mixing in μν\mu\nuSSM

In an extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (popularly known as the $\mu\nu$SSM), three right handed neutrino superfields are introduced to solve the $\mu$-problem and to accommodate the non-vanishing neutrino masses and mixing. Neutrino masses at the tree level are generated through $R-$parity violation and seesaw mechanism. We have analyzed the full effect of one-loop contributions to the neutrino mass matrix. We show that the current three flavour global neutrino data can be accommodated in the $\mu\nu$SSM, for both the tree level and one-loop corrected analyses. We find that it is relatively easier to accommodate the normal hierarchical mass pattern compared to the inverted hierarchical or quasi-degenerate case, when one-loop corrections are included.Comment: 51 pages, 14 figures (58 .eps files), expanded introduction, other minor changes, references adde