Non-Decoupling MSSM Higgs Sector and Light Superpartners

TL;DR

This paper explores a non-decoupling MSSM Higgs scenario with light superpartners, consistent with current constraints, and emphasizes the need for specialized searches at colliders to detect these particles.

Contribution

It identifies a viable non-decoupling MSSM Higgs scenario with light superpartners that evade current LHC searches, highlighting the importance of targeted experimental strategies.

Findings

Light Higgs sector consistent with Higgs searches

Existence of sub-250 GeV light superpartners

Potential for detection at ILC with dedicated searches

Abstract

In the ``non-decoupling'' region of the Higgs sector in MSSM, the heavier CP-even Higgs boson (H^0) is Standard-Model-like and close to the charged Higgs bosons (H^\pm) in mass, while other neutral Higgs bosons (h^0,A^0) are lighter and near the Z mass. This scenario is consistent with the current Higgs search limits, although the improved sensitivity for a light charged Higgs boson search t -> H^+ b may result in certain degree of tension. We demonstrate that it can pass the stringent flavor constraints, provided there are other light SUSY particles to contribute in the loop induced processes. In turn, the non-decoupling Higgs sector implies the existence of light (left-handed) stop, sbottom and Wino-like gauginos, with mass all below 250 GeV. These light super-partners can still escape the current SUSY searches at the LHC. Dedicated searches for soft decay products should be devised for the LHC experiments to improve the searching sensitivity. The ILC would be able to cover the full spectrum region. The solutions for the viable SUSY parameters result from subtle cancellations and are often missed by the generic multiple dimensional scans, highlighting the importance of theoretical guidance in search for such special cases.