LHC search strategy for squarks in higgsino-LSP scenarios with leptons and $b$-jets in the final state

Abstract

The higgsino Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP) scenario opens up the possibility of decays of strongly produced particles to an intermediate neutralino, due to the Yukawa-suppressed direct decays to the higgsino. Those decays produce multijet signals with a Higgs or a $Z$ boson being produced in the decay of the intermediate neutralino to the LSP. In this paper we study the discovery prospects of squarks that produce $b$-jets and leptons in the final state. Our collider analysis provides signal significances at the 3$\sigma$ level for luminosities of 1 ab$^{-1}$, and at the 5$\sigma$ level if we project these results for 3 ab$^{-1}$.