Light stop phenomenology

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential to discover light stops in the MSSM at the LHC, focusing on challenging scenarios with small mass differences between the stop and neutralino, and analyzing two key search channels.

Contribution

It introduces new search strategies for light stops, including monojet and b-flavored jet channels, and examines the ability to test supersymmetry relations through coupling measurements.

Findings

Discovery reach mapped in the stop--neutralino mass plane.

Sensitivity of the b-jet channel to stop-higgsino-b coupling.

Potential to measure supersymmetry couplings precisely.

Abstract

We consider the discovery potential of light stops in the MSSM at the LHC. Here, we assume that the lightest neutralino is the LSP and that the lighter stop is the NLSP. Direct stop pair production is difficult to probe in scenarios with a small mass splitting between the stop and a neutralino. We discuss two different search channels: the monojet and the two $b$--flavoured jets and large missing transverse energy signature. We present the discovery reach in the stop--neutralino mass plane for both channels. The latter process is sensitive to the stop--higgsino--$b$ quark coupling. This allows us to test a supersymmetry relation involving superpotential couplings. We briefly comment on the possible precision with which the coupling can be measured.