The authors present the first search for heavy, long-lived particles that decay to photons at a hadron collider. They use a sample of [gamma] + jet + missing transverse energy events in p{bar p} collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV taken with the CDF II detector. Candidate events are selected based on the arrival time of the photon at the detector. Using an integrated luminosity of 570 pb−1 of collision data, they observe 2 events, consistent with the background estimate of 1.3 ± 0.7 events. While the search strategy does not rely on model-specific dynamics, they set cross section limits in a supersymmetric model with {tilde {chi}}1° → [gamma]{tilde G} and place the world-best 95% C.L. lower limit on the {tilde {chi}}1° mass of 101 GeV/c2 at [tau]{sub {tilde {chi}}1°} = 5 ns.

This dissertation presents the results of the first search for heavy, neutral, longlived particles that decay to photons at a hadron collider. We use a sample of +jet+missing transverse energy events in $p \bar{p}$ collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV taken with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. Candidate events are selected based on the arrival time of a high-energy photon at the electromagnetic calorimeter as measured with a timing system that was recently installed. The final result is that we find 2 events, using 570±34 pb-1 of data collected during 2004-2005 at the Fermilab Tevatron, consistent with the background estimate of 1.3±0.7 events. While our search strategy does not rely on model-specific dynamics, we interpret this result in terms of cross section limits in a supersymmetric model with $\vec{X}$$0\atop{1}$ eG and set a world-best e 01 mass reach of 101 GeV/c2 at e = 5 ns. We can exclude any [gamma]+jet+missing transverse energy signal that would produce more than 5.5 events.

The authors present the results of the first hadron collider search for heavy, long-lived neutralinos that decay via {tilde {chi}}1° → [gamma]{tilde G} in gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking models. Using an integrated luminosity of 570 ± 34 pb−1 of p{bar p} collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV, they select [gamma]+jet+missing transverse energy candidate events based on the arrival time of a high-energy photon at the electromagnetic calorimeter as measured with a timing system that was recently installed on the CDF II detector. They find 2 events, consistent with the background estimate of 1.3 ± 0.7 events. While the search strategy does not rely on model-specific dynamics, they set cross section limits and place the world-best 95% C.L. lower limit on the {tilde {chi}}1° mass of 101 GeV/c2 at [tau]{sub {tilde {chi}}1°} = 5 ns.

A search is performed for long-lived particles that decay into final states that include a pair of electrons or a pair of muons. The experimental signature is a distinctive topology consisting of a pair of charged leptons originating from a displaced secondary vertex. Events corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 (20.5) fb-1 in the electron (muon) channel were collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC in proton-proton collisions at √s=8 TeV. No significant excess is observed above standard model expectations. Upper limits on the product of the cross section and branching fraction of such a signal are presented as a function of the long-lived particle's mean proper decay length. The limits are presented in an approximately model-independent way, allowing them to be applied to a wide class of models yielding the above topology. Over much of the investigated parameter space, the limits obtained are the most stringent to date. In the specific case of a model in which a Higgs boson in the mass range 125-1000 GeV/c2 decays into a pair of long-lived neutral bosons in the mass range 20-350 GeV/c2, each of which can then decay to dileptons, the upper limits obtained are typically in the range 0.2-10 fb for mean proper decay lengths of the long-lived particles in the range 0.01-100 cm. In the case of the lowest Higgs mass considered (125 GeV/c2), the limits are in the range 2-50 fb. As a result, these limits are sensitive to Higgs boson branching fractions as low as 10-4.

In this Letter we report on a search for long-lived particles that decay into final states with two electrons or photons. Such long-lived particles arise in a variety of theoretical models, like hidden valleys and supersymmetry with gauge-mediated breaking. By precisely reconstructing the direction of the electromagnetic shower we are able to probe much longer lifetimes than previously explored. We see no evidence of the existence of such long-lived particles and interpret this search as a quasi model-independent limit on their production cross section, as well as a limit on a long-lived fourth generation quark.

A search has been performed for long-lived particles that could have come to rest within the CMS detector, using the time intervals between LHC beam crossings. The existence of such particles could be deduced from observation of their decays via energy deposits in the CMS calorimeter appearing at times that are well separated from any proton–proton collisions. Using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.6 fb-1 of 8 TeV proton–proton collisions, and a search interval corresponding to 281 h of trigger livetime, 10 events are observed, with a background prediction of 13.2+3.6 -2.5 events. Limits are presented at 95 % confidence level on gluino and top squark production, for over 13 orders of magnitude in the mean proper lifetime of the stopped particle. Assuming a cloud model of R-hadron interactions, a gluino with mass ≤1000 GeV and a top squark with mass ≤525 GeV are excluded, for lifetimes between 1 æs and 1000 s. Finally, these results are the most stringent constraints on stopped particles to date.

Supersymmetry is at an exciting stage of development. It extends the Standard Model of particle physics into a more powerful theory that both explains more and allows more questions to be addressed. Most importantly, it opens a window for studying and testing fundamental theories at the Planck scale. Experimentally we are finally entering the intensity and energy and sensitivity regions where superpartners and supersymmetric dark matter candidates are likely to be detected, and then studied. There has been progress in understanding the remarkable physics implications of supersymmetry, including the derivation of the Higgs mechanism, the unification of the Standard Model forces, cosmological connections such as a candidate for the cold dark matter of the universe and consequences for understanding the cosmological history of the universe, and more.This volume begins with an excellent pedagogical introduction to the physics and methods and formalism of supersymmetry which is accessible to anyone with a basic knowledge of the Standard Model of particle physics. Next is an overview of open questions, followed by chapters on topics such as how to detect superpartners and tools for studying them, the current limits on superpartner masses as we enter the LHC era, the lightest superpartner as a dark matter candidate in thermal and non-thermal cosmological histories, and associated Z' physics. Most chapters have been extended and updated from the earlier edition and some are new.This superb book will allow interested physicists to understand the coming experimental and theoretical progress in supersymmetry and the implications of discoveries of superpartners, and will also help students and workers to quickly learn new aspects of supersymmetry they want to pursue.