Benchmark scenarios for the NMSSM

TL;DR

This paper introduces benchmark scenarios for the NMSSM, a supersymmetric model with an extended Higgs sector, to guide experimental searches considering current constraints and unique phenomenological features.

Contribution

It proposes specific benchmark scenarios for the NMSSM that incorporate new Higgs phenomenology, consistent with collider and dark matter constraints.

Findings

Detailed spectra of Higgs particles and their couplings

Decay branching ratios for Higgs states

Survey of LHC search strategies for NMSSM Higgses

Abstract

We discuss constrained and semi--constrained versions of the next--to--minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (NMSSM) in which a singlet Higgs superfield is added to the two doublet superfields that are present in the minimal extension (MSSM). This leads to a richer Higgs and neutralino spectrum and allows for many interesting phenomena that are not present in the MSSM. In particular, light Higgs particles are still allowed by current constraints and could appear as decay products of the heavier Higgs states, rendering their search rather difficult at the LHC. We propose benchmark scenarios which address the new phenomenological features, consistent with present constraints from colliders and with the dark matter relic density, and with (semi--)universal soft terms at the GUT scale. We present the corresponding spectra for the Higgs particles, their couplings to gauge bosons and fermions and their most important decay branching ratios. A brief survey of the search strategies for these states at the LHC is given.