Neutralino Dark Matter in MSSM Models with Non-Universal Higgs Masses

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-universal Higgs masses in the MSSM affect neutralino dark matter properties, relic density constraints, and detection prospects, extending the constrained MSSM framework.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes non-universal Higgs mass scenarios (NUHM1 and NUHM2) within the MSSM, assessing their impact on neutralino dark matter.

Findings

Viable parameter regions consistent with relic density measurements.

Differences in detection prospects between NUHM and CMSSM.

Impact of Higgs mass non-universality on dark matter phenomenology.

Abstract

We consider the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) with varying amounts of non-universality in the soft supersymmetry-breaking contributions to the Higgs scalar masses. In addition to the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) in which these are universal with the soft supersymmetry-breaking contributions to the squark and slepton masses at the input GUT scale, we consider scenarios in which both the Higgs masses are non-universal by the same amount (NUHM1), and scenarios in which they are independently non-universal (NUHM2). As the lightest neutralino is a dark matter candidate, we demand that the relic density of neutralinos not be in conflict with measurements by WMAP and others, and examine the viable regions of parameter space. Prospects for direct detection of neutralino dark matter via elastic scattering in these scenarios are discussed.