Detectability of light pseudoscalars in the NMSSM

by Dr Nils-Erik Bomark (NCBJ, Warsaw)

Thursday 18 Dec 2014, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Zurich

4/2-011 - TH common room (CERN)

In contrast to the more commonly studied MSSM, the NMSSM may contain a rather light, mostly gauge-singlet-like pseudoscalar. The singlet nature ensure that it is not excluded by earlier experiments but also makes it hard to detect.

In this presentation I will discuss the prospects for discovery of such a pseudoscalar, mostly in the mass-range 10 to 120 GeV. Direct production of such a light pseudoscalar is in general to small to be useful, but there is hope in the decay of heavier particles, especially heavier scalars.

Of particular interest are the decays of the two lightest scalars into pairs of pseudoscalars as well as the decay of the heaviest scalar to a pseudoscalar plus a Z boson. The latter channel allows for detection also in the higher mass-range under discussion and has not been studied before in the literature.