Constraints on Sparticle Spectrum in different Supersymmetry Breaking Models

We derive sum rules for the sparticle masses in different models of supersymmetry breaking. This includes the gravity mediated models (SUGRA models) as well as models in which supersymmetry breaking terms are induced by super-Weyl anomaly (AMSB models). These sum rules can help in distinguishing between these models. In particular we obtain an upper bound on the mass of the lightest neutralino as a function of the gluino mass in SUGRA and AMSB models.Comment: 3 pages, latex, two figures, macros included. Talk presented at IXth International Symposium on Particles, Strings and Cosmology(PASCOS'03), TIFR, MUmbai, India, January 3 - 8, 2003. To appear in the proceeding

Nonminimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with Baryon and Lepton Number Violation

We carry out a comprehensive analysis of the nonminimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) with baryon and lepton number violation. We catalogue the baryon and lepton number violating dimension four and five operators of the model. We then study the renormalization group evolution and infrared stable fixed points of the Yukawa couplings and the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings of this model with baryon and lepton number (and R-parity) violation involving the heaviest generations. We show analytically that in the Yukawa sector of the NMSSM there is only one infrared stable fixed point. This corresponds to a non-trivial fixed point for the top-, bottom-quark Yukawa couplings and the $B$ violating coupling $\lambda_{233}''$, and a trivial one for all other couplings. All other possible fixed points are either unphysical or unstable in the infrared region. We also carry out an analysis of the renormalization group equations for the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings, and determine the corresponding fixed points for these couplings. We then study the quasi-fixed point behaviour, both of the third generation Yukawa couplings and the baryon number violating coupling, and those of the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings. From the analysis of the fixed point behaviour, we obtain upper and lower bounds on the baryon number violating coupling $\lambda_{233}''$, as well as on the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings. Our analysis shows that the infrared fixed point behavior of NMSSM with baryon and lepton number violation is similar to that of MSSM.Comment: 35 pages, Revtex, 6 eps fig

Phenomenology of non-universal gaugino masses in supersymmetric grand unified theories

Grand unified theories can lead to non-universal boundary conditions for the gaugino masses at the unification scale. We consider the implications of such non-universal boundary conditions for the composition of the lightest neutralino as well as for the upper bound on its mass in the simplest supersymmetric grand unified theory based on the SU(5) gauge group. We derive sum rules for neutralino and chargino masses in different representations of SU(5) which lead to different non-universal boundary conditions for the gaugino masses at the unification scale. We also consider the phenomenological implications of the non-universal gaugino masses arising from a grand unified theory in the context of Large Hadron Collider. In particular we investigate the detection of heavy neutral Higgs bosons $H^0, A^0$ from $H^0, A^0 \to \tilde{\chi}_2^0 \tilde{\chi}_2^0 \to 4l$, and study the possibilities of detecting the neutral Higgs bosons in cascade decays, including the decays $\tilde{\chi}_i^0 \to h^0 (H^0, A^0) \tilde{\chi}_1^0 \to b\bar{b} \tilde{\chi}_1^0$.Comment: 24 pages, uses psrfrag. Typo in Eq. (15) corrected. Added more detailed discussion about non-universality in SUSY SU(5). Parameter space and RGE loop level indicated more clearly. Added a few references. Version to be published in Phys. Rev.

Nonminimal supersymmetric standard model with lepton number violation

We carry out a detailed analysis of the nonminimal supersymmetric standard model with lepton number violation. The model contains a unique trilinear lepton number violating term in the superpotential which can give rise to neutrino masses at the tree level. We search for the gauged discrete symmetries realized by cyclic groups which preserve the structure of the associated trilinear superpotential of this model, and which satisfy the constraints of the anomaly cancellation. The implications of this trilinear lepton number violating term in the superpotential and the associated soft supersymmetry breaking term on the phenomenology of the light neutrino masses and mixing is studied in detail. We evaluate the tree and loop level contributions to the neutrino mass matrix in this model. We search for possible suppression mechanism which could explain large hierarchies and maximal mixing angles.Comment: Latex file, 43 pages, 2 figure

Probing SO(10) symmetry breaking patterns through sfermion mass relations

We consider supersymmetric SO(10) grand unification where the unified gauge group can break to the Standard Model gauge group through different chains. The breaking of SO(10) necessarily involves the reduction of the rank, and consequent generation of non-universal supersymmetry breaking scalar mass terms. We derive squark and slepton mass relations, taking into account these non-universal contributions to the sfermion masses, which can help distinguish between the different chains through which the SO(10) gauge group breaks to the Standard Model gauge group. We then study some implications of these non-universal supersymmetry breaking scalar masses for the low energy phenomenology.Comment: 13 pages, latex using revtex4, contains 2 figures, replaced with version accepted for publicatio

Ready Student One: Exploring the predictors of student learning in virtual reality

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has enormous potential for education, but classroom resources are limited. Thus, it is important to identify whether and when VR provides sufficient advantages over other modes of learning to justify its deployment. In a between-subjects experiment, we compared three methods of teaching Moon phases (a hands-on activity, VR, and a desktop simulation) and measured student improvement on existing learning and attitudinal measures. While a substantial majority of students preferred the VR experience, we found no significant differences in learning between conditions. However, we found differences between conditions based on gender, which was highly correlated with experience with video games. These differences may indicate certain groups have an advantage in the VR setting.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables. Published in PLOS ONE March 25, 202

Squark and slepton masses as probes of supersymmetric SO(10) unification

We carry out an analysis of the non-universal supersymmetry breaking scalar masses arising in SO(10) supersymmetric unification. By considering patterns of squark and slepton masses, we derive a set of sum rules for the sfermion masses which are independent of the manner in which SO(10) breaks to the Standard Model gauge group via its SU(5) subgroups. The phenomenology arising from such non-universality is unaffected by the symmetry breaking pattern, so long as the breaking occurs via any of the SU(5) subgroups of the SO(10) group.Comment: 15 pages using RevTe

Disaster scenario simulation of the 2010 cloudburst in Leh, Ladakh, India

Leh district in the Ladakh region of north-western India experienced a disaster when a cloudburst generated debris flows, killed hundreds of people, destroyed houses, and damaged the hospital, communication infrastructure, the bus station, and vital roads. A simulation of the Leh cloudburst disaster analysed the disaster itself, disaster risk reduction plans in the region, gaps in existing response mechanisms and reducing hazard impacts in the future. The participant group comprised academic researchers and industry experts in natural hazards, social vulnerability, engineering, historical and social sciences, education, journalism, disaster management and disaster risk reduction. Many of the participants had extensive local knowledge of Ladakh or comparable neighbouring Himalayan regions. Following the disaster, Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), produced a District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP), which addressed many of the gaps identified in the simulation. Most importantly, the document outlined a civil protection mechanism to respond to future hazardous events. This was utilised to assess future disaster response in the simulation scenario. From analysis of the scenario simulation, the role of the army was found to be key in minimizing the impact of the 2010 disaster, although in the future, the army may coordinate with the civil protection body as set out in the DDMP. Participants identified the lack of a local formalized civil protection plan as a major vulnerability, and the most vulnerable populations as the migrant communities. The group also discussed evidence of resilience among the population such as the role of monasteries and spirituality in psychological recovery and the impact of the initial local response. From broader discussion of the simulation scenario, it was possible to identify aspects of resilience for further study in a wider research project, such as identifying hazardous slopes from satellite mapping, informing the fieldwork program, designing social questionnaires to understand risk perception and formulating questions to guide focus-group discussions on community resilience

Trilinear Higgs couplings in the two Higgs doublet model with CP violation

We carry out a detailed analysis of the general two Higgs doublet model with CP violation. We describe two different parametrizations of this model, and then study the Higgs boson masses and the trilinear Higgs couplings for these two parametrizations. Within a rather general model, we find that the trilinear Higgs couplings have a significant dependence on the details of the model, even when the lightest Higgs boson mass is taken to be a fixed parameter. We include radiative corrections in the one-loop effective potential approximation in our analysis of the Higgs boson masses and the Higgs trilinear couplings. The one-loop corrections to the trilinear couplings of the two Higgs doublet model also depend significantly on the details of the model, and can be rather large. We study quantitatively the trilinear Higgs couplings, and show that these couplings are typically several times larger than the corresponding Standard Model trilinear Higgs coupling in some regions of the parameter space. We also briefly discuss the decoupling limit of the two Higgs doublet model.Comment: 23 pages, 15 figures. v2: References added, version to appear in PR