Weak-Scale Supersymmetry: Theory and Practice

Abstract

These lectures contain an introduction to the theory and practice of weak-scale supersymmetry. They begin with a discussion of the hierarchy problem and the motivation for weak-scale supersymmetry. They continue by developing the coset approach to superfields. They use superfield techniques to construct the minimal supersymmetric version of the standard model and to discuss soft supersymmetry breaking and its implications. The lectures end with a brief survey of expectations for future collider experiments.

Figures (20)

• Figure 1: The one-loop correction to the fermion mass is logarithmically divergent, and proportional to the fermion mass, $M_F$.
• Figure 2: The one-loop corrections to the boson mass contain two quadratically divergent contributions of opposite sign.
• Figure 3: A schematic representation of the coset $G/H$. The full space represents the group $G$, while the vertical lines denote orbits under $H$. Note that a general $G$ transformation induces a compensating $H$ transformation to restore the section.
• Figure 4: Some of the vertices that arise from the supersymmetric kinetic terms. All these vertices are proportional to the strong coupling $g_3$. The first two are ordinary gauge couplings, but the third is a Yukawa coupling. The Yukawa is necessary to cancel quadratic divergences induced by gauge boson loops.
• Figure 5: A diagram that contributes to squark-mediated proton decay.