Higgs Coupling Measurements and Direct Searches as Complementary Probes of the pMSSM

TL;DR

This paper explores how precision Higgs coupling measurements and direct SUSY searches at colliders complement each other in probing the pMSSM parameter space, especially for models evading direct detection.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of future Higgs coupling measurements to probe regions of the pMSSM parameter space beyond direct search capabilities.

Findings

Higgs coupling measurements can detect models that evade direct LHC searches.

Higgs coupling and heavy Higgs searches cover orthogonal regions in parameter space.

Future colliders will significantly enhance SUSY discovery potential.

Abstract

The parameter space of the MSSM can be probed via many avenues, such as by pre- cision measurements of the couplings of the ~126 GeV Higgs boson, as well as the direct searches for SUSY partners. We examine the connection between these two collider observables at the LHC and ILC in the 19/20-parameter p(henomenological)MSSM. Within this scenario, we address two questions: (i) How will potentially null direct searches for SUSY at the LHC influence the predicted properties of the lightest SUSY Higgs boson? (ii) What can be learned about the properties of the superpartners from precision measurements of the Higgs boson couplings? In this paper, we examine these questions by employing three different large sets of pMSSM models with either the neutralino or gravitino being the LSP. We make use of the ATLAS direct SUSY searches at the 7/8 TeV LHC as well as expected results from 14 TeV operations, and the anticipated precision measurements of the Higgs Boson couplings at the 14 TeV LHC and at the ILC. We demonstrate that the future Higgs coupling determinations can deeply probe the pMSSM parameter space and, in particular, can observe the effects of models that are projected to evade the direct searches at the 14 TeV LHC with 3 inverse ab of integrated luminosity. In addition, we compare the reach of the Higgs coupling determinations to the direct heavy Higgs searches in the MA - tan beta plane and show that they cover orthogonal regions. This analysis demonstrates the complementarity of the direct and indirect approaches in searching for Supersymmetry, and the importance of precision studies of the properties of the Higgs Boson.