Sensitivities to the SUSY Scale from Electroweak Precision Observables

Abstract

Precision measurements, now and at a future linear electron-positron collider (ILC), can provide indirect information about the possible scale of supersymmetry. Performing a chi^2 analysis, we illustrate the present-day and possible future ILC sensitivities within the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM), varying the parameters so as to obtain the cold dark matter density allowed by WMAP and other cosmological data. The current data are in very good agreement with the CMSSM prediction for tan beta = 10, with a clear preference for relatively small values of the universal gaugino mass, m_{1/2} \sim 300 GeV. In this case, there would be good prospects for observing supersymmetry directly at both the LHC and the ILC, and some chance already at the Tevatron collider. For tan beta = 50, the quality of the fit is worse, and somewhat larger m_{1/2} values are favoured. With the prospective ILC accuracies the sensitivity to indirect effects of supersymmetry greatly improves. This may provide indirect access to supersymmetry even at scales beyond the direct reach of the LHC or the ILC.