Limiting SUSY compressed spectra scenarios

TL;DR

This paper explores how existing large missing transverse momentum datasets can constrain supersymmetry models with compressed spectra, where traditional searches are ineffective due to low particle momentum.

Contribution

It demonstrates that mono-jet and vector-boson-fusion datasets can set limits on compressed SUSY models, despite these limits being weaker than theoretical predictions.

Findings

Experimental limits are at least five times weaker than theoretical expectations.

Complementary sensitivity of mono-jet and VBF datasets to compressed spectra.

Constraints are derived from existing ATLAS datasets.

Abstract

Typical searches for supersymmetry cannot test models in which the two lightest particles have a small ("compressed") mass splitting, due to the small momentum of the particles produced in the decay of the second-to-lightest particle. However, datasets with large missing transverse momentum ($E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$) can generically search for invisible particle production and therefore provide constraints on such models. We apply data from the ATLAS mono-jet (jet+$E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$) and vector-boson-fusion (forward jets and $E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$) searches to such models. The two datasets have complementary sensitivity, but in all cases experimental limits are at least five times weaker than theoretical predictions.