Reaching a theoretical accuracy in the prediction of the lightest MSSM Higgs-boson mass, M_h, at the level of the current experimental precision requires the inclusion of momentum-dependent contributions at the two-loop level. Recently two groups pre
sented the two-loop QCD momentum-dependent corrections to Mh [1,2], using a hybrid on-shell--DRbar scheme, with apparently different results. We show that the differences can be traced back to a different renormalization of the top-quark mass, and that the claim in [2] of an inconsistency in [1] is incorrect. We furthermore compare consistently the results for M_h obtained with the top-quark mass renormalized on-shell and DRbar. The latter calculation has been added to the FeynHiggs package and can be used to estimate missing higher-order corrections beyond the two-loop level.
We review recent progress towards automated higher-order calculations in the MSSM with complex parameters (cMSSM). The consistent renormalization of all relevant sectors of the cMSSM and the inclusion into the FeynArts/FormCalc framework has recently
been completed. Some example calculations applying this framework are briefly discussed. These include two-loop corrections to cMSSM Higgs boson masses as well as partial decay widths of electroweak supersymmetric particles decaying into a Higgs boson and another supersymmetric particle.
The signal discovered in the Higgs searches at the LHC can be interpreted as the Higgs boson of the Standard Model as well as the light CP-even Higgs boson of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). In this context the measured mass value,
having already reached the level of a precision observable with an experimental accuracy of about 500 MeV, plays an important role. This precision can be improved substantially below the level of about 50 MeV at the future International Linear Collider (ILC). Within the MSSM the mass of the light CP-even Higgs boson, M_h, can directly be predicted from the other parameters of the model. The accuracy of this prediction should match the one of the experimental measurements. The relatively high experimentally observed value of the mass of about 125.6 GeV has led to many investigations where the supersymmetric (SUSY) partners of the top quark have masses in the multi-TeV range. We review the recent improvements for the prediction for M_h in the MSSM for large scalar top masses. They were obtained by combining the existing fixed-order result, comprising the full one-loop and leading and subleading two-loop corrections, with a resummation of the leading and subleading logarithmic contributions from the scalar top sector to all orders. In this way for the first time a high-precision prediction for the mass of the light CP-even Higgs boson in the MSSM is possible all the way up to the multi-TeV region of the relevant supersymmetric particles. However, substantial further improvements will be needed to reach the ILC precision. The newly obtained corrections to M_h are included into the code FeynHiggs.
The interpretation of the Higgs signal at sim 126 GeV within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) depends crucially on the predicted properties of the other Higgs states of the model, as the mass of the charged Higgs boson, MH+-. This mas
s is calculated in the Feynman-diagrammatic approach within the MSSM with real parameters. The result includes the complete one-loop contributions and the two-loop contributions of O(alpha_t alpha_s). The one-loop contributions lead to sizable shifts in the MH+- prediction, reaching up to sim 8 GeV for relatively small values of M_A. Even larger effects can occur depending on the sign and size of the mu parameter that enters the corrections affecting the relation between the bottom-quark mass and the bottom Yukawa coupling. The two-loop O(alpha_t alpha_s) terms can shift MH+- by more than 2 GeV. The two-loop contributions amount to typically about 30% of the one-loop corrections for the examples that we have studied. These effects can be relevant for precision analyses of the charged MSSM Higgs boson.
We evaluate all two-body decay modes of the heavy scalar top quark in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with complex parameters (cMSSM) and no generation mixing. The evaluation is based on a full one-loop calculation of all decay channels, al
so including hard QED and QCD radiation. The renormalization of the complex parameters is described in detail. The dependence of the heavy scalar top quark decay on the relevant cMSSM parameters is analyzed numerically, including also the decay to Higgs bosons and another scalar quark or to a top quark and the lightest neutralino. We find sizable contributions to many partial decay widths and branching ratios. They are roughly of O(10%) of the tree-level results, but can go up to 30% or higher. These contributions are important for the correct interpretation of scalar top quark decays at the LHC and, if kinematically allowed, at the ILC. The evaluation of the branching ratios of the heavy scalar top quark will be implemented into the Fortran code FeynHiggs.
We investigate the prospects for Central Exclusive Diffractive (CED) production of BSM Higgs bosons at the LHC using forward proton detectors installed at 220 m and 420 m distance around ATLAS and / or CMS. We update a previous analysis for the MSSM
taking into account improvements in the theoretical calculations and the most recent exclusion bounds from the Tevatron. We extend the MSSM analysis to new benchmark scenarios that are in agreement with the cold dark matter relic abundance and other precision measurements. We analyse the exclusive production of Higgs bosons in a model with a fourth generation of fermions. Finally, we comment on the determination of Higgs spin-parity and coupling structures at the LHC and show that the forward proton mode could provide crucial information on the CP properties of the Higgs bosons.
Within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) we systematically investigate the bounds on the mass of the lightest neutralino. We allow for non-universal gaugino masses and thus even consider massless neutralinos, while assuming in general
that R-parity is conserved. Our main focus are laboratory constraints. We consider collider data, precision observables, and also rare meson decays to very light neutralinos. We then discuss the astrophysical and cosmological implications. We find that a massless neutralino is allowed by all existing experimental data and astrophysical and cosmological observations.
We review the analysis of the 5 sigma discovery contours for the charged MSSM Higgs boson at the CMS experiment with 30 fb^-1 for the two cases M_H+ < m_t and M_H+ > m_t. Latest results for the CMS experimental sensitivities based on full simulation
studies are combined with state-of-the-art theoretical predictions of MSSM Higgs-boson production and decay properties. Special focus is put on the SUSY parameter dependence of the 5 sigma contours. The variation of mu can shift the prospective discovery reach in tan_beta by up to Delta tan_beta = 40. We furthermore discuss various theory uncertainties on the signal cross section and branching ratio calculations. In order to arrive at a reliable interpretation of a signal of the charged MSSM Higgs boson at the LHC a strong reduction in the relevant theory uncertainties will be necessary.
We review the 5 sigma discovery contours for the charged MSSM Higgs boson at the CMS experiment with 30/fb for the two cases M_H+ < m_t and M_H+ > m_t. In order to analyze the search reach we combine the latest results for the CMS experimental sensit
ivities based on full simulation studies with state-of-the-art theoretical predictions of MSSM Higgs-boson production and decay properties. Special emphasis is put on the SUSY parameter dependence of the 5 sigma contours. The variation of $mu$ can shift the prospective discovery reach in tan_beta by up to Delta tan_beta = 40.
We explore electroweak precision observables (EWPO) and $B$-physics observables (BPO) in the CMSSM, the mGMSB and the mAMSB. We perform a chi^2 analysis based on the combination of current EWPO and BPO data. For the first time this allows the compari
son of the mGMSB and mAMSB in terms of EWPO and BPO with the CMSSM. We find that relatively low mass scales in all three scenarios are favored. However, the current data from EWPO and BPO can hardly exclude any parameters at the level of Delta chi^2 = 9. Remarkably the mAMSB scenario, despite having one free GUT scale parameter less than the other two scenarios, has a somewhat lower total minimum chi^2. We present predictions for the lightest Higgs boson mass, based on the chi^2 analysis of current data, where relatively good compatibility with the bounds from Higgs searches at LEP is found. We also present the predictions for other Higgs sector parameters and SUSY mass scales, allowing to compare the reach of the LHC and the ILC in the three scenarios. We furthermore explore the future sensitivities of the EWPO and BPO for the current best-fit results and for a hypothetical point with somewhat higher mass scales that results in a similar Higgs and SUSY spectrum in the three scenarios. We find that the future improvement of the accuracy of the EWPO and BPO will lead to a significant gain in the indirect parameter determination. The improvement is similar in the CMSSM, mGMSB and mAMSB and will yield constraints to the parameter space even for heavy Higgs and SUSY mass scales.
