Squark Mass Determination at the Next Generation of Linear $e^+e^-$ Colliders

Abstract

Current mass limits allow the possibility that squarks may be produced in large numbers at the next generation of linear $e^+e^-$ colliders. In this paper we investigate the prospects for precision studies of squark masses at such colliders. We assume that squarks are lighter than gluinos, and discuss both direct and cascade decay scenarios. By exploiting the clean environment and polarizable beams of linear $e^+e^-$ colliders, we find that squark mass determinations at the level of a few GeV are possible in a large part of the parameter space.