Thomas G. Rizzo

Bulk gauge fields in the Randall-Sundrum model

Abstract We explore the consequences of placing the Standard Model gauge fields in the bulk of the recently proposed localized gravity model of Randall and Sundrum. We find that the Kaluza–Klein excitations of these fields are necessarily strongly coupled and we demonstrate that current precision electroweak data constrain the lowest states to lie above ≃23 TeV. Taking the weak scale to be ∼1 TeV, the resulting implications on the model parameters force the bulk curvature, R5, to be larger than the higher dimensional Planck scale, M, violating the consistency of the theory. In turn, to preserve |R5|≲M2, the weak scale must be pushed to ≳100 TeV. Hence we conclude that it is disfavored to place the Standard Model gauge fields in the bulk of this model as it is presently formulated.

Phenomenology of the randall-sundrum gauge hierarchy model

We explore the phenomenology associated with the recently proposed localized gravity model of Randall and Sundrum where gravity propagates in a 5-dimensional non-factorizable geometry and generates the 4-dimensional weak-Planck scale hierarchy by an exponential function of the compactification radius, called a warp factor. The Kaluza-Klein tower of gravitons which emerge in this scenario have strikingly different properties than in the factorizable case with large extra dimensions. We derive the form of the graviton tower interactions with the Standard Model fields and examine their direct production in Drell-Yan and dijet events at the Tevatron and LHC as well as the KK spectrum line-shape at high-energy linear e + e − colliders. In the case where the first KK excitation is observed, we outline the procedure to uniquely determine the parameters of this scenario. We also investigate the effect of KK tower exchanges in contact interaction searches. We find that present experiments can place meaningful constraints on the parameters of this model.

The role of polarized positrons and electrons in revealing fundamental interactions at the Linear Collider

The proposed International Linear Collider (ILC) is well-suited for discovering physics beyond the Standard Model and for precisely unraveling the structure of the underlying physics. The physics return can be maximized by the use of polarized beams. This report shows the paramount role of polarized beams and summarizes the benefits obtained from polarizing the positron beam, as well as the electron beam. The physics case for this option is illustrated explicitly by analyzing reference reactions in different physics scenarios. The results show that positron polarization, combined with the clean experimental environment provided by the linear collider, allows to improve strongly the potential of searches for new particles and the identification of their dynamics, which opens the road to resolve shortcomings of the Standard Model. The report also presents an overview of possible designs for polarizing both beams at the ILC, as well as for measuring their polarization.

Supersymmetry Without Prejudice

We begin an exploration of the physics associated with the general CP-conserving MSSM with Minimal Flavor Violation, the pMSSM. The 19 soft SUSY breaking parameters in this scenario are chosen so as to satisfy all existing experimental and theoretical constraints assuming that the WIMP is a conventional thermal relic, i.e., the lightest neutralino. We scan this parameter space twice using both flat and log priors for the soft SUSY breaking mass parameters and compare the results which yield similar conclusions. Detailed constraints from both LEP and the Tevatron searches play a particularly important role in obtaining our final model samples. We find that the pMSSM leads to a much broader set of predictions for the properties of the SUSY partners as well as for a number of experimental observables than those found in any of the conventional SUSY breaking scenarios such as mSUGRA. This set of models can easily lead to atypical expectations for SUSY signals at the LHC.

Simplified models for dark matter searches at the LHC

This document outlines a set of simplified models for dark matter and its interactions with Standard Model particles. It is intended to summarize the main characteristics that these simplified models have when applied to dark matter searches at the LHC, and to provide a number of useful expressions for reference. The list of models includes both s-channel and t-channel scenarios. For s-channel, spin-0 and spin-1 mediation is discussed, and also realizations where the Higgs particle provides a portal between the dark and visible sectors. The guiding principles underpinning the proposed simplified models are spelled out, and some suggestions for implementation are presented.

Probes of Universal Extra Dimensions at Colliders

In the Universal Extra Dimensions model of Appelquist, Cheng and Dobrescu, all of the Standard Model fields are placed in the bulk and thus have Kaluza-Klein (KK) excitations. These KK states can only be pair produced at colliders due to the tree-level conservation of KK number, with the lightest of them being stable and possibly having a mass as low as {approx_equal} 350 400 GeV. After calculating the contribution to g-2 in this model we investigate the production cross sections and signatures for these particles at both hadron and lepton colliders. We demonstrate that these signatures critically depend upon whether the lightest KK states remain stable or are allowed to decay by any of a number of new physics mechanisms. These mechanisms which induce KK decays are studied in detail.

Signatures of long-lived gluinos in split supersymmetry

The authors examine the experimental signatures for the production of gluinos at colliders and in cosmic rays within the split supersymmetry scenario. Unlike in the MSSM, the gluinos in this model are relatively long-lived due to the large value of the squark masses which mediate their decay. Searches at colliders are found to be sensitive to the nature of gluino fragmentation as well as the gluino-hadron interactions with nuclei and energy deposition as it traverses the detector. They find that the worst-case scenario, where a neutral gluino-hadron passes through the detector with little energy deposition, is well described by a monojet signature. For this case, using Run I data they obtain a bound of m{sub {bar g}} > 170 GeV; this will increase to 210(1100) GeV at Run II(LHC) if no excess events are observed. In the opposite case, where a charged gluino-hadron travels through the detector, a significantly greater reach is obtained via stable charged particle search techniques. The authors also examine the production of gluino pairs in the atmosphere by cosmic rays and show they are potentially observable at IceCube; this would provide a cross-check for observations at hadron colliders.

Signals for noncommutative interactions at linear colliders

Recent theoretical results have demonstrated that non-commutative geometries naturally appear within the context of string/M-theory. One consequence of this possibility is that QED takes on a non-abelian nature due to the introduction of 3- and 4-point functions. In addition, each QED vertex acquires a momentum dependent phase factor. We parameterize the effects of non-commutative space-time co-ordinates and show that they lead to observable signatures in several 2 {yields} 2 QED processes in e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions. In particular, we examine pair annihilation, Moller and Bhabha scattering, as well as {gamma}{gamma} {yields} {gamma}{gamma} scattering and show that non-commutative scales of order a TeV can be probed at high energy linear colliders.

LHC Predictions from a Tevatron Anomaly in the Top Quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry

We examine the implications of the recent CDF measurement of the top-quark forward-backward asymmetry, focusing on a scenario with a new color octet vector boson at 1-3 TeV. We study several models, as well as a general effective field theory, and determine the parameter space which provides the best simultaneous fit to the CDF asymmetry, the Tevatron top pair production cross section, and the exclusion regions from LHC dijet resonance and contact interaction searches. Flavor constraints on these models are more subtle and less severe than the literature indicates. We find a large region of allowed parameter space at high axigluon mass and a smaller region at low mass; we match the latter to an SU(3)1 × SU(3)2/SU(3)c coset model with a heavy vector-like fermion. Our scenario produces discoverable effects at the LHC with only 1–2 fb−1 of luminosity at

Simplified Models for Dark Matter and Missing Energy Searches at the LHC

\sqrt {s} = 7 - 8\;{\text{TeV}}