Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Model Higgs Scenarios for Partially Universal GUT Scale Boundary Conditions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the feasibility of realizing ideal Higgs models within the NMSSM under partially universal GUT boundary conditions, using nested sampling to evaluate constraints from collider and cosmological data.

Contribution

It demonstrates that few ideal Higgs points satisfy all constraints, but identifies a new class of singlet-like Higgs and singlino-like neutralino points that do.

Findings

Few ideal Higgs points meet all constraints.

A class of singlet-like Higgs and singlino-like neutralino points can pass constraints.

Spin-independent cross section distinguishes ideal Higgs from singlino-like points.

Abstract

We examine the extent to which it is possible to realize the NMSSM "ideal Higgs" models espoused in several papers by Gunion et al in the context of partially universal GUT scale boundary conditions. To this end we use the powerful methodology of nested sampling. We pay particular attention to whether ideal-Higgs-like points not only pass LEP constraints but are also acceptable in terms of the numerous constraints now available, including those from the Tevatron and $B$-factory data, $(g-2)_\mu$ and the relic density $\Omega h^2$. In general for this particular methodology and range of parameters chosen, very few points corresponding to said previous studies were found, and those that were found were at best $2\sigma$ away from the preferred relic density value. Instead, there exist a class of points, which combine a mostly singlet-like Higgs with a mostly singlino-like neutralino coannihilating with the lightest stau, that are able to effectively pass all implemented constraints in the region $80<m_h<100$. It seems that the spin-independent direct detection cross section acts as a key discriminator between ideal Higgs points and the hard to detect singlino-like points.