Connecting the direct detection of dark matter with observation of sparticles at the LHC
An analysis is given connecting event rates for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter with the possible signatures of supersymmetry at the LHC. It is shown that if an effect is seen in the direct detection experiments at a level of O(10(-44)) cm(2) for the neutralino-proton cross section, then within the minimal supergravity grand unified model the next heavier particle above the neutralino is either a stau, a chargino, or a CP odd/CP even (A/H) Higgs boson. Further, the collider analysis shows that models with a neutralino-proton cross section at the level of (1 - 5) x 10(-44) cm(2) could be probed with as little as 1 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity at the LHC at root s = 7, 10 TeV. The most recent limit from the five tower CDMS II result on weakly interacting massive particle-nucleon cross section is discussed in this context. It is argued that the conclusions of the analysis given here are more broadly applicable with inclusion of nonuniversalities in the supergravity grand unified models.

title: Explaining PAMELA and WMAP data through coannihilations in extended SUGRA with collider implications
abstract: The PAMELA positron excess is analyzed within the framework of nonuniversal supergravity (SUGRA) models with an extended $U(1{)}^{n}$ gauge symmetry in the hidden sector leading to neutralino dark matter with either a mixed Higgsino-wino lightest $R$-parity odd supersymmetric particle (LSP) or an essentially pure wino-dominated LSP. The Higgsino-wino LSP can produce the observed PAMELA positron excess and satisfy relic density constraints in the extended class of models due to a near degeneracy of the mass spectrum of the extended neutralino sector with the LSP mass. The simultaneous satisfaction of the WMAP relic density data and the PAMELA data is accomplished through a coannihilation mechanism (${B}_{\mathrm{Co}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{\text{mechanism}}$), and leads to predictions of a neutralino and a chargino in the mass range (180--200) GeV as well as low-lying sparticles accessible at colliders. We show that the models are consistent with the antiproton constraints from PAMELA as well as the photon flux data from EGRET and FERMI-LAT. Predictions for the scalar neutralino-proton cross section relevant for the direct detection of dark matter are also discussed and signatures at the LHC for these PAMELA inspired models are analyzed. It is shown that the mixed Higgsino-wino LSP model will be discoverable with as little as $1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data and is thus a prime candidate for discovery in the low luminosity runs at the LHC.

title: Scattering properties of dark atoms and molecules
abstract: There has been renewed interest in the possibility that dark matter exists in the form of atoms, analogous to those of the visible world. An important input for understanding the cosmological consequences of dark atoms is their self-scattering. Making use of results from atomic physics for the potentials between hydrogen atoms, we compute the low-energy elastic scattering cross sections for dark atoms. We find an intricate dependence upon the ratio of the dark proton to electron mass, allowing for the possibility to "design" low-energy features in the cross section. Dependences upon other parameters, namely the gauge coupling and reduced mass, scale out of the problem by using atomic units. We derive constraints on the parameter space of dark atoms by demanding that their scattering cross section does not exceed bounds from dark matter halo shapes. We discuss the formation of molecular dark hydrogen in the universe, and determine the analogous constraints on the model when the dark matter is predominantly in molecular form.

title: Light Higgses at the Tevatron and at the LHC and Observable Dark Matter in SUGRA and D Branes
abstract: Sparticle landscapes in mSUGRA, in SUGRA models with nonuniversalities (NUSUGRA), and in D-brane models are analyzed. The analysis exhibits the existence of Higgs Mass Patterns (HPs) (for μ > 0 ) where the CP odd Higgs could be the next heavier particle beyond the LSP and sometimes even lighter than the LSP. It is shown that the Higgs production cross sections from the HPs are typically the largest enhancing the prospects for their detection at the LHC. Indeed it is seen that the recent Higgs production limits from CDF/DO are beginning to put constraints on the HPs. It is also seen that the B s → μ + μ − limits constrain the HPs more stringently. Predictions of the Higgs production cross sections for these patterns at the LHC are made. We compute the neutralino–proton cross sections σ ( χ ˜ 1 0 p ) for dark matter experiments and show that the largest σ ( χ ˜ 1 0 p ) also arise from the HPs and further that the HPs and some of the other patterns are beginning to be constrained by the most recent data from CDMS and from Xenon10 experiments. Finally, it is shown that the prospects are bright for the discovery of dark matter with σ ( χ ˜ 1 0 p ) in the range 10 − 44 ± 0.5 cm 2 due to a “Wall” consisting of a copious number of parameter points in the Chargino Patterns (CPs) where the chargino is the NLSP. The Wall, which appears in all models considered (mSUGRA, NUSUGRA and D-branes) and runs up to about a TeV in LSP mass, significantly enhances the chances for the observation of dark matter by SuperCDMS, ZEPLIN-MAX, or LUX experiments which are expected to achieve a sensitivity of 10 −45 cm 2 or more.

title: LHC constraints on dark matter with (130 GeV) gamma ray lines
abstract: Dark matter annihilation into photons in our galaxy would constitute an exciting indirect signal of its existence, as underscored by tentative evidence for 130 GeV dark matter in Fermi/LAT data. Models that give a large annihilation cross section into photons typically require the dark matter to couple to, or be composed of, new charged particles, that can be produced in colliders. We consider the LHC constraints on some representative models of these types, including the signals of same-sign dileptons, opposite-sign dileptons, events mimicking the production and decay of excited leptons, four-photon events, resonant production of composite vectors decaying into two photons, and monophoton events.

title: The Stueckelberg Extension and Milli Weak and Milli Charged Dark Matter
abstract: A overview is given of the recent developments in the U(1)X Stueckelberg extensions of the Standard Model and of MSSM where all the Standard Model particles are neutral under the U(1)X, but an axion which is absorbed is charged under both U(1)X and U(1)Y and acts as the connector field coupling the Standard Model sector with the Stueckelberg sector. Coupled with the usual Higgs mechanism that breaks the SU(2)L×U(1)Y gauge symmetry, this scenario produces mixings in the neutral gauge boson sector generating an extra Z′ boson. The couplings of the extra Z′ to the Standard Model particles are milli weak but its couplings to the hidden sector matter, defined as matter that couples only to the gauge field of U(1)X, can be of normal electro‐weak strength. It is shown that such extensions, aside from the possibility of leading to a sharp Z′ resonance, lead to two new types of dark matter: milli weak (or extra weak) and milli charged. An analysis of the relic density shows that the WMAP‐3 constraints can be satis...

title: Radiative return for heavy Higgs boson at a muon collider
abstract: Higgs boson properties could be studied with a high accuracy at a muon collider via the $s$-channel resonant production. We consider the situation where the center-of-mass energy of the muon collider is off the resonance above the Higgs mass. We discuss the discovery potential for a generic heavy Higgs boson and compare different production mechanisms, including the ``radiative return,'' $Z$-boson associated production and heavy Higgs pair production. These production mechanisms do not sensitively rely on a priori knowledge of the heavy Higgs boson mass. We include various types of two-Higgs-doublet models for the comparison. We conclude that the radiative return process could provide an important option for both the heavy Higgs discovery and direct measurement of invisible decays at a high energy muon collider.

title: Dark matter and Higgs bosons in the MSSM
abstract: A bstractWe investigate dark matter (DM) in the context of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM). We scan through the MSSM parameter space and search for solutions that (a) are consistent with the Higgs discovery and other collider searches; (b) satisfy the flavor constraints from B physics; (c) give a DM candidate with the correct thermal relic density; and (d) are allowed by the DM direct detection experiments. For the surviving models with our parameter scan, we find the following features: (1) The DM candidate is largely a Bino-like neutralino with non-zero but less than 20% Wino and Higgsino fractions; (2) The relic density requirement clearly pins down the solutions from the Z and Higgs resonances (Z, h, H, A funnels) and co-annihilations; (3) Future direct search experiments will likely fully cover the Z, h funnel regions, and H, A funnel regions as well except for the “blind spots”; (4) Future indirect search experiments will be more sensitive to the CP-odd Higgs exchange due to its s-wave nature; (5) The branching fraction for the SM-like Higgs decay to DM can be as high as 10%, while those from heavier Higgs decays to neutralinos and charginos can be as high as 20%. We show that collider searches provide valuable information complementary to what may be obtained from direct detections and astroparticle observations. In particular, the Z- and h-funnels with a predicted low LSP mass should be accessible at future colliders. Overall, the Higgs bosons may play an essential role as the portal to the dark sector.

title: Search for an invisibly-decaying Higgs boson at LEP
abstract: A search for a Higgs boson produced in e + e − collisions in association with a Z boson and decaying into invisible particles is performed. Data collected at LEP with the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies from 189 to 209 GeV are used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.63 fb −1 . Events with hadrons, electrons or muons with visible masses compatible with a Z boson and missing energy and momentum are selected. They are consistent with the Standard Model expectations. A lower limit of 112.3 GeV is set at 95% confidence level on the mass of the invisibly-decaying Higgs boson in the hypothesis that its production cross section equals that of the Standard Model Higgs boson. Relaxing this hypothesis, upper limits on the production cross section are derived.

title: Observation of $\eta_{c}$ decay into $\Sigma^{+}\bar{\Sigma}^{-}$ and $\Xi^{-}\bar{\Xi}^{+}$ final states
abstract: Using a data sample of $2.25\times10^{8}$ $J/\psi$ events collected with the BESIII detector, we present the first observation of the decays of $\eta_{c}$ mesons to $\Sigma^{+}\bar{\Sigma}^{-}$ and $\Xi^{-}\bar{\Xi}^{+}$. The branching fractions are measured to be $(2.11\pm0.28_{\rm stat.}\pm0.18_{\rm syst.}\pm0.50_{\rm PDG})\times10^{-3}$ and $(0.89\pm0.16_{\rm stat.}\pm0.08_{\rm syst.}\pm0.21_{\rm PDG})\times10^{-3}$ for $\eta_{c} \to \Sigma^{+}\bar{\Sigma}^{-}$ and $\Xi^{-}\bar{\Xi}^{+}$, respectively. These branching fractions provide important information on the helicity selection rule in charmonium-decay processes.

title: Evidence for gluon interference in hadronic Z decays
abstract: We present evidence for soft gluon interference, as required by QCD. This interference is expected to manifest itself in an angular ordering of the gluons radiated within a jet. Using hadronic decays of the Z boson in the L3 detector at LEP, we compare variables sensitive to such an angular ordering, namely the energy-energy correlation asymmetry and the newly introduced particle-particle correlation asymmetry, with the predictions of various parton shower models. Only those models which incorporate the expected interference agree with the data.