Theoretical uncertainties in sparticle mass predictions from computational tools

by Sabine KRAML (CERN-TH)

Friday 7 Mar 2003, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Zurich

TH Auditorium (CERN)

We estimate the current theoretical uncertainty in sparticle mass predictions by comparing several state-of-the-art computations within the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). We find that the theoretical uncertainty is comparable to the expected statistical errors from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and significantly larger than those expected from a future e⁺e^- Linear Collider (LC). We quantify the theoretical uncertainty on relevant sparticle observables for both LHC and LC, and show that the value of the error is significantly dependent upon the supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking parameters. We also present the theoretical uncertainty induced in fundamental-scale SUSY breaking parameters when they are fitted from LHC measurements. Two regions of the SUSY parameter spacewhere accurate predictions are particularly difficult are examined in detail: the large tan(beta) and focus point regimes.