Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Marcelo Vogel

Publication Date

7-6-2012

Abstract

The standard model (SM) of particles and fields is a theory that has proven very accurate in the currently accessible collider energies. Nonetheless, the SM is theoretically incomplete in the sense that it leaves many questions and problems unanswered, for example, the origin of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). The Higgs boson is introduced to the SM to provide a mechanism for electroweak symmetry breaking and masses to quarks and leptons. However, the introduction of the Higgs mechanism has the undesirable effect of introducing the hierarchy problem which is characterized by quadratically divergent contributions to the Higgs mass squared. Supersymmetry (SUSY) has been postulated as a way to solve the problem of the fine-tuning of the Higgs self-interactions, and additionally to provide a possible mechanism for EWSB. The golden search channel for mSUGRA is the chargino-neutralino to three leptons channel. It offers a reasonable signal cross section times branching ratio with very small contributions from Standard Model backgrounds. This thesis, presents a search for chargino-neutralino production within the mSUGRA framework.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Matthews, John

Second Committee Member

Allahverdi, Rouzbeh

Third Committee Member

Gutzler, David

Fourth Committee Member

Gold, Michael

Language

English

Keywords

Fermions, Leptons (Nuclear physics), Supersymmetry, Electroweak interactions, Higgs bosons.

Document Type

Dissertation

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