This paper provides an overview to three recent papers on the bottom up approach to GUTs in F-theory. We assume only a minimal familiarity with string theory and phenomenology. After explaining the potential for predictive string phenomenology within this framework, we introduce the ingredients of F-theory GUTs, and show how these models naturally address various puzzles in four-dimensional GUT models. We next describe how supersymmetry is broken, and show that in a broad class of models, solving the mu/B mu problem requires a specific scale of supersymmetry breaking consistent with a particular deformation of the gauge mediation scenario. This rigid structure enables us to reliably extract predictions for the sparticle spectrum of the MSSM. A brief sketch of expected LHC signals, as well as ways to falsify this class of models is also included.
We undertake a phenomenological study of SU(5) F-theory GUT models with an additional U(1)_{PQ} symmetry. In such models, breaking SU(5) with hypercharge flux leads to the presence of non-GUT multiplets in the spectrum. We study the effect these have on the unification of gauge couplings, including two-loop running as well as low- and high-scale threshold corrections. We use the requirement of unification to constrain the size of thresholds from KK modes of SU(5) gauge and matter fields. Assuming the non-GUT multiplets play the role of messengers of gauge mediation leads to controlled non-univ…
We study supersymmetric models with a GUT-sized extra dimension, where both the Higgs fields and the SUSY breaking hidden sector are localized on a 4D brane. Exponential wave function profiles of the matter fields give rise to hierarchical structures in the Yukawa couplings and soft terms. Such structures can naturally explain hierarchical fermion masses and mixings, while at the same time alleviating the supersymmetric flavour problem. We discuss two sources of supersymmetry breaking, radion mediation and brane fields, and perform a detailed numerical analysis, thoroughly taking into account …
Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) are one of the most interesting high-energy completions of the Standard Model, because they provide a rich, powerful and elegant group-theoretical framework able to resolve a variety of problems remaining in our current understanding of particle physics. They usually act as motivators for many low energy BSM theories, such as left-right symmetric or supersymmetric models, and they serve to fill the gap between the experimentally reachable low energies and the physics in the ultraviolet. In recent years, however, they have fallen slightly from the spotlight, in fav…
In the past year, a new non-supersymmetric framework for electroweak symmetry breaking (with or without Higgs) involving SU(2)_L * SU(2)_R * U(1)_{B-L} in higher dimensional warped geometry has been suggested. In this work, we embed this gauge structure into a GUT such as SO(10) or Pati-Salam. We showed recently (in hep-ph/0403143) that in a warped GUT, a stable Kaluza-Klein fermion can arise as a consequence of imposing proton stability. Here, we specify a complete realistic model where this particle is a weakly interacting right-handed neutrino, and present a detailed study of this new dark …
We investigate grand unified theories (GUTs) in scenarios where electroweak (EW) symmetry breaking is triggered by a light composite Higgs, arising as a Nambu-Goldstone boson from a strongly interacting sector. The evolution of the standard model (SM) gauge couplings can be predicted at leading order, if the global symmetry of the composite sector is a simple group G that contains the SM gauge group. It was noticed that, if the right-handed top quark is also composite, precision gauge unification can be achieved. We build minimal consistent models for a composite sector with these properties, …
We explore, in a concrete example, to which extent new particle mass determinations are practicable with LHC data. Our chosen example is that of Yukawa-unified SUSY GUTs, whose viability has been recently studied for two general patterns of soft SUSY-breaking terms. We note that both patterns of SUSY spectra do not admit long decay chains, which would make it possible to determine the masses of the SUSY particles involved using endpoints or mass relations. We thus take the so-called mT2-kink method as our key strategy, since it does not rely on the presence of long decay chains. We then discus…
Recent work has shown that compactifications of F-theory provide a potentially attractive phenomenological scenario. The low energy characteristics of F-theory GUTs consist of a deformation away from a minimal gauge mediation scenario with a high messenger scale. The soft scalar masses of the theory are all shifted by a stringy effect which survives to low energies. This effect can range from 0 GeV up to ~ 500 GeV. In this paper we study potential collider signatures of F-theory GUTs, focussing in particular on ways to distinguish this class of models from other theories with an MSSM spectrum.…
With the apparent discovery of the Higgs boson, the Standard Model has been confirmed as the theory accounting for all sub-atomic phenomena. This observation lends further credence to the perturbative unification in Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) and string theories. The free fermionic formalism yielded fertile ground for the construction of quasi--realistic heterotic--string models, which correspond to toroidal Z2xZ2 orbifold compactifications. In this paper we study a new class of heterotic-string models in which the GUT group is SU(6)xSU(2) at the string level. We use our recently developed …
We analyse the complementarity between Lepton Flavour Violation (LFV) and LHC experiments in probing the Supersymmetric (SUSY) Grand Unified Theories (GUT) when neutrinos got a mass via the see--saw mechanism. Our analysis is performed in an SO(10) framework, where at least one neutrino Yukawa coupling is necessarily as large as the top Yukawa coupling. Our study thoroughly takes into account the whole RG running, including the GUT and the right handed neutrino mass scales, as well as the running of the observable neutrino spectrum. We find that the upcoming (MEG, SuperKEKB) and future (PRISM/…
The requirement of t-b-τYukawa coupling unification is common in simple grand unified models based on the gauge group SO(10), and it also places a severe constraint on the expected spectrum of superpartners. For Yukawa-unified models with μ>0, the spectrum is characterized by three mass scales: {\it i}). first and second generation scalars in the multi-TeV range, {\it ii}). third generation scalars, μand m_A in the few-TeV range and {\it iii}). gluinos in the \sim 350-500 GeV range with chargino masses around 100-160 GeV. In such a scenario, gluino pair production should occur at large rates a…
We explore the phenomenology of supersymmetric SO(10) grand unified theories with gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking. We show that if SO(10) breaking proceeds through intermediate left-right symmetric gauge groups which are broken at the supersymmetry breaking scale, then perturbative unification allows the existence of only a few consistent models with very similar phenomenological consequences. We list and discuss some distinctive signatures of these theories. The most remarkable feature of the class of theories introduced here is that, unlike in models with simpler symmetry breaking chai…
Grand unified theories (GUTs) can lead to non-universal gaugino masses at the unification scale. We study the implications of such non-universal gaugino masses for the composition of the lightest neutralino in supersymmetric (SUSY) theories based on SU(5) gauge group. We also consider the phenomenological implications of non-universal gaugino masses for the phenomenology of Higgs bosons in the context of Large Hadron Collider.
In this paper we study Yukawa-unified SO(10) SUSY GUTs with two types of SO(10) boundary conditions: (i) universal gaugino masses and (ii) non-universal gaugino masses with effective "mirage" mediation. With these boundary conditions, we perform a global chi^2 analysis to obtain the parameters consistent with 11 low energy observables, including the top, bottom, and tau masses. Both boundary conditions have universal scalar masses and "just so" splitting for the up- and down-type Higgs masses. In these models, the third family scalars are lighter than the first two families and the gauginos ar…
I discuss an evolution of SUSY GUT model building, starting with the construction of 4d GUTs, to orbifold GUTs and finally to orbifold GUTs within the heterotic string. This evolution is an attempt to obtain realistic string models, perhaps relevant for the LHC. This review is in memory of the sudden loss of Julius Wess, a leader in the field, who will be sorely missed.
F-theory GUT models favor a relatively narrow range of soft supersymmetry breaking parameters in the MSSM Lagrangian. This leads to the specific predictions that a 10-100 MeV mass gravitino is the LSP, and the NLSP is quasi-stable, with a lifetime between a second to an hour. In a wide range of parameter space, the NLSP turns out to be a stau, though a bino-like lightest neutralino is also possible. Focusing on F-theory GUTs with a stau NLSP, we study the discovery potential at the LHC for such scenarios. Models with a quasi-stable stau predict a striking signature of a heavy charged particle …
We propose a framework to construct "Domain-Wall Standard Model" in a non compact 5-dimensional space-time, where all the Standard Model (SM) fields are localized in certain domains of the 5th dimension and the SM is realized as a 4-dimensional effective theory without any compactification for the 5th dimension. In this context, we investigate the collider phenomenology of the Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes of the SM gauge bosons and the current constraints from the search for a new gauge boson resonance at the LHC Run-2. The couplings of the SM fermions with the KK-mode gauge bosons depend on the co…
In this talk we describe our approach for the computation of multi-leg one-loop amplitudes and present some first results relevant for LHC phenomenology.
A precise understanding of LHC phenomenology requires the inclusion of one-loop corrections for multi-particle final states. In this talk we describe a semi-numerical method to compute one-loop amplitudes with many external particles and present first applications.
The Real Projective Plane is the lowest dimensional orbifold which, when combined with the usual Minkowski space-time, gives rise to a unique model in six flat dimensions possessing an exact Kaluza Klein (KK) parity as a relic symmetry of the broken six dimensional Lorentz group. As a consequence of this property, any model formulated on this background will include a stable Dark Matter candidate. Loop corrections play a crucial role because they remove mass degeneracy in the tiers of KK modes and induce new couplings which mediate decays. We study the full one loop structure of the correction…
The analyses of the first 1-2/fb of Large Hadron Collider (LHC) data are already having significant impacts on a wide range of models. In this talk I give my perspective on why we expect to find new physics at the LHC, and how such a discovery might unfold.
We investigate the potential of the LHC for discovering the heavy vector and fermion resonances present in the Three-Site Higgsless Model. To this end, the model was implemented into the WHIZARD parton-level Monte Carlo eventgenerator. The results of parton-level simulations for different potential discovery channels are presented together with a discussion of the parameter space thus accessible at the LHC.
We discuss various phenomenological aspects of supersymmetric models beyond the MSSM. A particular focus is on models which can correctly explain neutrino data and the possiblities of LHC to identify the underlying scenario.
We comment on the calculation of the finite part of the heavy quark impact factor at next-to-leading logarithmic (NLx) accuracy. The result is presented in a form suitable for phenomenological studies such as the calculation of the cross-section for single heavy quark production at the LHC within the kT-factorization scheme.
We perform a BFKL-NLL analysis of forward jet production at HERA which leads to a good description of data over the full kinematical domain. We also predict the azimuthal angle dependence of Mueller-Navelet jet production at the Tevatron and the LHC using the BFKL NLL formalism.
We discuss the collider phenomenology of the model of Minimal Universal Extra Dimensions (MUED) at the Large hadron Collider (LHC). We derive analytical results for all relevant strong pair-production processes of two level 1 Kaluza-Klein partners and use them to validate and correct the existing MUED implementation in the fortran version of the PYTHIA event generator. We also develop a new implementation of the model in the C++ version of PYTHIA. We use our implementations in conjunction with the CHECKMATE package to derive the LHC bounds on MUED from a large number of published experimental …
Welcome to the 2008 TASI lectures on the exciting topic of `tools and technicalities' (original title). Technically, LHC physics is really all about perturbative QCD in signals or backgrounds. Whenever we look for interesting signatures at the LHC we get killed by QCD. Therefore, I will focus on QCD issues which arise for example in Higgs searches or exotics searches at the LHC, and ways to tackle them nowadays. In the last section you will find a few phenomenological discussions, for example on missing energy or helicity amplitudes.
In this talk I report on recent developments and results relevant for LHC phenomenology at next-to-leading order QCD. Feynman diagrammatic and unitarity based methods have both seen considerable improvements and new ideas recently. Current approaches point towards automated evaluation of one-loop multi-particle amplitudes. Many results for notoriously difficult processes are under construction by several groups and, given the enormous recent progress, it can be concluded that LHC phenomenology at full next-to-leading order level will become the standard approximation soon.
I present a brief review of the recent phenomenological analyses of RHIC data based on the the Color Glass Condensate, including the use of non-linear evolution equations with running coupling. In particular, I focus in the study of the total multiplicities in Au+Au collisions, and in the single inclusive and double inclusive forward spectra in d+Au collisions. Predictions for the LHC are also discussed.
We discuss possible signatures of the $CP$-odd scalar of two-doublet models at the LHC. We find that the inclusive two-photon decay mode and the decay sequence $A^0 \rightarrow Zh, h \rightarrow γγ$, where $h$ is a $CP$-even neutral scalar, can give viable signals in fairly large and complementary regions of parameter space.
I briefly review the physics of the Higgs sector in the Standard Model (SM) and its supersymmetric extension, in particular the MSSM, and discuss the prospects for discovering the Higgs particles at the Large Hadron Collider. Some emphasis will be put on the theoretical developments which occurred in the last few years.
A well-motivated framework to naturally introduce neutrino masses is the B-L model, a U(1) extension of the standard model related to the baryon minus lepton gauged number. Besides three right-handed neutrinos, that are included to cancel the anomalies (thereby naturally providing neutrino masses), this model also encompasses a complex scalar for the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the extended gauge sector and to give mass to the Z' boson. We present the phenomenology, the discovery potential at the LHC, and the most up-to-date experimental and theoretical limits of the new particles in this…
An elementary review of models and phenomenology for physics beyond the Standard Model (excluding supersymmetry). The emphasis is on LHC physics. Based upon a talk given at the Physics at LHC conference, Vienna, 13-17 July 2004.
As the value of the longitudinal momentum carried by partons in a ultra-relativistic hadron becomes small, one observes a growth of their density. When the parton density becomes close to a value of order $1/α_s$, it does not grow any longer, it saturates. These high density effects seem to be well described by the Color Glass Condensate effective field theory. On the experimental side, the LHC provides the best tool ever for reaching the saturated phase of hadronic matter. For this reason saturation physics is a very active branch of QCD during these past and coming years since saturation the…
The aim of this work is to explore the possibility to discover a fermionic field with mass dimension one, the Elko field, in the 14 TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC), in processes with missing energy and one jet. We explore the possibility of a triple coupling with the Higgs field, generating also a contribution to the Elko mass term, and suggest some possibilities for future studies in this field.
After a brief discussion of the mass of the Higgs in supersymmetry, I introduce \lambdaSUSY, a model with an extra chiral singlet superfield in addition to the MSSM field content. The key features of the model are: the superpotential W=λS H_d H_u with a large coupling λand the resulting lightest Higgs with mass above 200GeV. The main part of my contribution will be about how \lambdaSUSY manifests itself at the LHC. Discoveries of gluino, squarks and in particular of the three lightest neutral Higgs bosons are discussed.
We describe the program KKMC-hh, which calculates Z boson processes in hadronic collisions using coherent exclusive exponentiation (CEEX) with exact second-order photonic corrections at next-to-leading log and first-order weak vertex corrections, including initial and final state photonic radiation and initial-final interference. We describe current applications to precision forward-backward asymmetry calculations for the measurement of the electroweak mixing angle at the LHC.
We argue that it is possible to address the deeper LHC Inverse Problem, to gain insight into the underlying theory from LHC signatures of new physics. We propose a technique which may allow us to distinguish among, and favor or disfavor, various classes of underlying theoretical constructions using (assumed) new physics signals at the LHC. We think that this can be done with limited data $(5-10 fb^{-1})$, and improved with more data. This is because of two reasons -- a) it is possible in many cases to reliably go from (semi)realistic microscopic string construction to the space of experimental…
The phenomenology of the neutral scalar bosons in the compact 341 model is discussed. We show that the predictions of this model are fairly good and compatible with the experimental data by calculating the signal strength of $h_1$ for the channels $b\bar{b}$, W$W^{*}$, Z$Z^{*}$, $τ\barτ$ and $γγ$. Moreover, we use the branching ratios to search for the heavy neutral scalar bosons $h_2$ and $h_3$ where we take into account the theoretical constraints to precise the allowed ranges for the fundamental parameters of the scalar potential.
We examine the supersymmetry phenomenology of a novel scenario of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking which we call Gaugino Anomaly Mediation, or inoAMSB. This is suggested by recent work on the phenomenology of flux compactified type IIB string theory. The essential features of this scenario are that the gaugino masses are of the anomaly-mediated SUSY breaking (AMSB) form, while scalar and trilinear soft SUSY breaking terms are highly suppressed. Renormalization group effects yield an allowable sparticle mass spectrum, while at the same time avoiding charged LSPs; the latter are common in models wi…
Composite Higgs models with a fermionic UV completion can contain additional colored states beside the usual top-partners. We focus here on a model which contains in addition SU(3) color octet top partners as well as color singlet ones. The latter can in principle serve as a dark matter candidate. We consider a particular composite Higgs model which contains SU(3) color octet top partners besides the usually considered triplet representations. Moreover, color singlet top partners are present as well which can in principle serve as dark matter candidates. We investigate the LHC phenomenology of…
The phenomenology of the low scale U(1)_{B-L} extension of the standard model and its implications at LHC is presented. In this model, an extra gauge boson corresponding to B-L gauge symmetry and an extra SM singlet scalar (heavy Higgs) are predicted. We show a detailed analysis of both heavy and light Higgses decay and production in addition to the possible decay channels of the new gauge boson. We find that the cross sections of the SM-like Higgs production are reduced by ~ 20%-30%, while its decay branching ratios remain intact. The extra Higgs has relatively small cross sections and the br…
Dark Matter direct detection experiments are able to exclude interesting parameter space regions of particle models which predict an important amount of thermal relics. We use recent data to constrain the branon model and to compute the region that is favored by CDMS measurements. Within this work, we also update present colliders constraints with new studies coming from the LHC. Despite the present low luminosity, it is remarkable that for heavy branons, CMS and ATLAS measurements are already more constraining than previous analyses performed with TEVATRON and LEP data.
We present an extensive analysis of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking models with minimal and non-minimal flavour violation. We first demonstrate that low-energy, precision electroweak, and cosmological constraints exclude large "collider-friendly" regions of the minimal parameter space. We then discuss various possibilities how flavour violation, although naturally suppressed, may still occur in gauge-mediation models. The introduction of non-minimal flavour violation at the electroweak scale is shown to relax the stringent experimental constraints, so that benchmark points, that are also…
We review Lepton Flavour Violation (LFV) in the supersymmetric version of the seesaw mechanism (type I, II, III) and in Left-Right models. The LFV needed to explain neutrino masses and mixings is the only source of LFV and has experimental implications both in low-energy experiments where we search for the radiative decays of leptons, and at the LHC where we look at its imprint on the LFV decays of the sparticles and on slepton mass splittings. We discuss how this confrontation between high- and low-energy LFV observables may provide information about the underlying mechanism of LFV.
We investigate the signatures of the recently proposed Higgsless models at future colliders. We focus on tests of the mechanism of partial unitarity restoration in the longitudinal vector boson scattering, which do not depend on any Higgsless model-building details. We study the LHC discovery reach for charged massive vector boson resonances and show that all of the preferred parameter space will be probed with $100 {\rm fb}^{-1}$ of LHC data. We also discuss the prospects for experimental verification of the Higgsless nature of the model at the LHC. In addition, in this talk we present new re…
A brief pedagogical overview of the phenomenology of Z' gauge bosons is presented. Such particles can arise in various electroweak extensions of the Standard Model (SM). We provide a quick survey of a number of Z' models, review the current constraints on the possible properties of a Z' and explore in detail how the LHC may discover and help elucidate the nature of these new particles. We provide an overview of the Z' studies that have been performed by both ATLAS and CMS. The role of the ILC in determining Z' properties is also discussed.
We study the LHC signatures of new gauge bosons in the minimal deconstruction Higgsless model (MHLM). We analyze the $W'$ signals of $pp\to W' \to WZ$ and $pp\to W'jj \to WZjj$ processes at the LHC, including the complete signal and background calculation in the gauge invariant model and have demonstrated the LHC potential to cover the whole parameter space of the MHLM model.
Gauge singlet extensions of the Standard Model (SM) scalar sector may help remedy its theoretical and phenomenological shortcomings while solving outstanding problems in cosmology. Depending on the symmetries of the scalar potential, such extensions may provide a viable candidate for the observed relic density of cold dark matter or a strong first order electroweak phase transition needed for electroweak baryogenesis. Using the simplest extension of the SM scalar sector with one real singlet field, we analyze the generic implications of a singlet-extended scalar sector for Higgs boson phenomen…
The processes proton + antiproton -> gamma + heavy-flavour jet(s) + X and proton + proton -> gamma + heavy-flavour jet(s) + X are studied in the framework of a special two-Higgs-doublet model, the MCPM. As distinguishing feature of this model we find that radiative Higgs-boson production and decay lead to heavy flavour c jets but no b jets in the above processes. Thus, the prediction is that b jets should be given by the normal QCD processes whereas for c jets an excess over the QCD expectation should occur. We present results both for Tevatron and LHC energies.
Composite Higgs models provide an elegant solution to the hierarchy problem present in the Standard Model (SM) and give an alternative pattern leading to the mechanism of Electro-Weak Symmetry Breaking (EWSB). We present an analysis of the Higgs boson production and decay within a recently proposed realistic realization of this general idea: the 4D Composite Higgs Model (4DCHM). Comparing our results with the latest Large Hadron Collider (LHC) data we show that the 4DCHM could provide an alternative explanation with respect to the SM of the LHC results pointing to the discovery of a Higgs-like…
We briefly review the status of motivated beyond-the-MSSM phenomenology in the light of the LHC searches to date. In particular, we discuss the conceptual consequences of the exclusion bounds, of the hint for a Higgs boson at about 125 GeV, and of interpreting the excess of direct CP violation in the charm sector as a signal of New Physics. We try to go into the various topics in a compact way while providing a relatively rich list of references, with particular attention to the most recent developments.
We study the supersymmetric version of the type-II seesaw mechanism assuming minimal supergravity boundary conditions. We calculate branching ratios for lepton flavour violating (LFV) scalar tau decays, potentially observable at the LHC, as well as LFV decays at low energy, such as $l_i \to l_j + γ$ and compare their sensitivity to the unknown seesaw parameters. In the minimal case of only one triplet coupling to the standard model lepton doublets, ratios of LFV branching ratios can be related unambigously to neutrino oscillation parameters. We also discuss how measurements of soft SUSY breaki…
Selected aspects of the theory and phenomenology of production of forward jets at the LHC and RHIC are overviewed. In the theory part we discuss basics of frameworks originating from the BFKL dynamics while in the phenomenology part we present results for forward-central jet correlations at the LHC and forward di-jet production at RHIC.
We consider extensions of the standard model based on open strings ending on D-branes, with gauge bosons due to strings attached to stacks of D-branes and chiral matter due to strings stretching between intersecting D-branes. Assuming that the fundamental string mass scale is in the TeV range and the theory is weakly coupled, we review possible signals of string physics at the Large Hadron Collider.
Type-X two Higgs doublet model is known to explain the muon $g-2$ anomaly with a relatively light charged Higgs boson at large $\tanβ$. The light charged Higgs boson has been searched in the main $τν$ mode at the colliders. Invoking a scenario of inverse seesaw as the origin of neutrino masses and mixing, the charged Higgs boson can decay additionally to right-handed neutrinos which leads to interesting phenomenology. Considering generic lepton flavour violating signatures at the final states, a $5σ$ discovery can be achieved with the early data of LHC, at 14 TeV, for relatively large inverse …
We study the $Z^\prime$ phenomenology for two extensions of the Electroweak Standard Model (SM) which have an extra $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge factor. We show the capabilities of the LHC in distinguishing the signals coming from these two extensions and both of them from the Standard Model background. In order to compare the behavior of these $B-L$ models we consider the reaction $p + p\longrightarrow μ^+ + μ^- + X$ and compute some observables as the total cross sections, number of events, forward-backward asymmetry, final particle distributions like rapidity, transverse momentum, and dimuon invarian…
ATLAS and CMS have discovered a Standard Model Higgs-like particle. One of the main discovery channels is the Higgs decay to two photons, which, at the moment, seems to be considerably enhanced over the Standard Model expectation. Models with additional charged matter coupling to the Higgs sector can enhance or decrease the Higgs to two photons branching ratio. We take this as motivation to confront the so-called Georgi-Machacek model of Higgs triplets with the results of recent searches for a SM Higgs boson performed at the LHC. We also investigate the model in regions of the allowed paramete…
