Indications of the CMSSM Mass Scale from Precision Electroweak Data

Abstract

We discuss the sensitivities of present-day electroweak precision data to the possible scale of supersymmetry within the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM). Our analysis is based on M_W, sin^2 theta_eff, (g-2)_mu, BR(b -> s gamma), and the lightest MSSM Higgs boson mass, M_h. We display the impact of the recent reduction in m_t from 178.0 +- 4.3 GeV to 172.7 +- 2.9 GeV on the interpretation of the precision observables. We show the currently preferred values of the CMSSM mass scale m_{1/2} based on a global chi^2 fit, assuming that the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is a neutralino, and fixing m_0 so as to obtain the cold dark matter density allowed by WMAP and other cosmological data for specific values of A_0, tan beta and mu > 0. The recent reduction in m_t reinforces previous indications for relatively light soft supersymmetry-breaking masses, offering good prospects for the LHC and the ILC, and in some cases also for the Tevatron. Finally, we discuss the sensitivity of the global chi^2 function to possible future evolution in the experimental central value of m_t and its error.