Abstract: We analyze a displaced dilepton signal expected at the LHC for a tau left sneutrino as the lightest supersymmetric particle with a mass in the range 45-100 GeV. The sneutrinos are pair produced via a virtual W, Z or gamma in the s channel and, given the large value of the tau Yukawa coupling, their decays into two dileptons or a dilepton plus missing transverse energy from neutrinos can be significant. The discussion is carried out in the framework of the μnu SSM, where the presence of R-parity violating couplings involving right-handed neutrinos solves the μproblem and can reproduce the neutrino data. To probe the tau left sneutrinos we compare the predictions of this scenario with the ATLAS search for long-lived particles using displaced lepton pairs in pp collisions at root s = 8 TeV, allowing us to constrain the parameter space of the model. We also consider an optimization of the trigger requirements used in existing displaced-vertex searches by means of a high level trigger that exploits tracker information. This optimization is generically useful for a light metastable particle decaying into soft charged leptons. The constraints on the sneutrino turn out to be more stringent. We finally discuss the prospects for the 13 TeV LHC searches as well as further potential optimizations.

Abstract: We consider the supersymmetric inverse seesaw mechanism for neutrino mass generation within the context of a low-energy effective theory where supersymmetry is broken geometrically in an extra dimensional theory. It is shown that the effective scale characterizing the resulting compact supersymmetric spectrum can be as low as 500-600 GeV for moderate values of tan beta. The potentially large neutrino Yukawa couplings, naturally present in inverse seesaw schemes, enhance the Higgs mass and allow the superpartners to be lighter than in compact supersymmetry without neutrino masses. The inverse seesaw structure also implies a novel spectrum profile and couplings, in which the lightest supersymmetric particle can be an admixture of isodoublet and isosinglet sneutrinos. Dedicated collider as well as dark matter studies should take into account such specific features.

Abstract: The first observation of the B-s(0) -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- decay is reported, together with the most precise branching fraction measurement of the mode B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- The results are obtained from an analysis of pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1). The data were collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, The branching fraction of the B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- decay is measured relative to that of the decay B-0 -> (D) over bar (0)pi (+) pi(-) to be B(B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K-)/B(B-0 -> (D) over bar (0)pi (+) pi(-)) =(69 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.3)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The measured branching fraction of the B-s(0) -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- decay mode relative to that of the corresponding B-0 decay is B(B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K-)/B(B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K-) = (93.0 +/- 809 +/- 6.9)%. Using the known branching fraction of B-0 -> (D) over bar (0)pi (+) pi(-), the values of B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- = (6.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.3 +/- 0.3) x 10(-5) and B(B-s(0) -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K- = (5.7 +/- 0.5 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(-5) are obtained, where the third uncertainties arise from the branching fraction of the decay modes B-0 -> (D) over bar (0)pi (+) pi(-) and B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0 (+) K-, respectively.

Abstract: We present a novel theory of gravity by considering an extension of symmetric teleparallel gravity. This is done by introducing, in the framework of the metric-affine formalism, a new class of theories where the nonmetricity Q is nonminimally coupled to the matter Lagrangian. More specifically, we consider a Lagrangian of the form L similar to f(1)(Q) + f(2)(Q)L-M, where f(1) and f(2) are generic functions of Q, and L-M is the matter Lagrangian. This nonminimal coupling entails the nonconservation of the energy-momentum tensor, and consequently the appearance of an extra force. The formulation of the gravity sector in terms of the Q instead of the curvature may result in subtle improvements of the theory. In the context of nonminimal matter couplings, we are therefore motivated to explore whether the new geometrical formulation in terms of the Q, when implemented also in the matter sector, would allow more universally consistent and viable realizations of the nonminimal coupling. Furthermore, we consider several cosmological applications by presenting the evolution equations and imposing specific functional forms of the functions f(1)(Q) and f(2)(Q), such as power-law and exponential dependencies of the nonminimal couplings. Cosmological solutions are considered in two general classes of models, and found to feature accelerating expansion at late times.

Abstract: A search for pair production of the supersymmetric partners of the Higgs boson (higgsinos (H) over tilde) in gaugemediated scenarios is reported. Each higgsino is assumed to decay to a Higgs boson and a gravitino. Two complementary analyses, targeting high- and low-mass signals, are performed to maximize sensitivity. The two analyses utilize LHC pp collision data at a center-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV, the former with an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb(-1) and the latter with 24.3 fb(-1), collected with the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. The search is performed in events containing missing transverse momentum and several energetic jets, at least three of which must be identified as b-quark jets. No significant excess is found above the predicted background. Limits on the cross section are set as a function of the mass of the <(Hover tilde> in simplified models assuming production via mass-degenerate higgsinos decaying to a Higgs boson and a gravitino. Higgsinos with masses between 130 and 230 GeV and between 290 and 880 GeV are excluded at the 95% confidence level. Interpretations of the limits in terms of the branching ratio of the higgsino to a Z boson or a Higgs boson are also presented, and a 45% branching ratio to a Higgs boson is excluded for m(<(Hover tilde>) approximate to 400 GeV.