LHC search strategy for squarks in higgsino-LSP scenarios with leptons and $b$-jets in the final state

TL;DR

This paper proposes a search strategy at the LHC for detecting squarks in higgsino-LSP scenarios, focusing on final states with leptons and b-jets, and evaluates the discovery potential with projected luminosities.

Contribution

It introduces a new collider analysis method targeting squark decays involving Higgs or Z bosons in higgsino-LSP scenarios, with specific focus on leptons and b-jets.

Findings

3σ significance at 1 ab$^{-1}$ luminosity

5σ significance at 3 ab$^{-1}$ luminosity

Enhanced detection prospects for squarks in specific decay channels

Abstract

The higgsino Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP) scenario opens up the possibility of decays of strongly produced particles to an intermediate neutralino, due to the Yukawa-suppressed direct decays to the higgsino. Those decays produce multijet signals with a Higgs or a $Z$ boson being produced in the decay of the intermediate neutralino to the LSP. In this paper we study the discovery prospects of squarks that produce $b$-jets and leptons in the final state. Our collider analysis provides signal significances at the 3$\sigma$ level for luminosities of 1 ab$^{-1}$, and at the 5$\sigma$ level if we project these results for 3 ab$^{-1}$.