Abstract: We use LHC dijet data to derive constraints on neutrinoless double beta decay. Upper limits on cross sections for the production of “exotic” resonances, such as a right-handed W boson or a diquark, can be converted into lower limits on the double beta decay half-life for fixed choices of other parameters. Constraints derived from run-I data are already surprisingly strong and complementary to results from searches using same-sign dileptons plus jets. For the case of the left-right symmetric model, in case no new resonance is found in future runs of the LHC and assuming g(L) = g(R), we estimate a lower limit on the double beta decay half-life larger than 10(27) yr can be derived from future dijet data, except in the window of relatively light right-handed neutrino masses in the range 0.5 MeV to 50 GeV. Part of this mass window will be tested in the upcoming SHiP experiment. We also discuss current and future limits on possible scalar diquark contributions to double beta decay that can be derived from dijet data.

Abstract: Sterile neutrinos with masses in the range of 1-100 GeV have been searched for in a variety of experiments. Here, we discuss the prospects of searching for sterile neutrinos at the LHC using displaced vertices. Two different cases are discussed: (i) the standard model extended with sterile neutrinos, and (ii) right-handed neutrinos in a left-right symmetric extension of the standard model. A dedicated displaced vertex search will allow us to probe parts of the parameter space not accessible to other searches, but both cases will require a large luminosity.

Abstract: Lepton number violation (LNV) mediated by short- range operators can manifest itself in both neutrinoless double beta decay (0 nu beta beta) and in processes with same- sign dilepton final states at the LHC. We derive limits from existing LHC data at root s = 8 TeV and compare the discovery potential of the forthcoming root s = 14 TeV phase of the LHC with the sensitivity of current and future 0 nu beta beta decay experiments, assuming the short-range part of the 0 nu beta beta decay amplitude dominates. We focus on the first of two possible topologies triggered by one fermion and two bosons in the intermediate state. In all cases, except for the pure leptoquark mechanism, the LHC will be more sensitive than 0 nu beta beta decay in the future. In addition, we propose to search for a charge asymmetry in the final state leptons and to use different invariant mass peaks as a possible tool to discriminate the various possible mechanisms for LNV signals at the LHC.

Abstract: We construct lists of supersymmetric models with extended gauge groups at intermediate steps, all of which are inspired by SO(10) unification. We consider three different kinds of setups: (i) the model has exactly one additional intermediate scale with a left-right (LR) symmetric group; (ii) SO(10) is broken to the LR group via an intermediate Pati-Salam scale; and (iii) the LR group is broken into SU(3)(c) X SU(2)(L) X U(1)(R) X U(1)(B-L), before breaking to the standard model (SM) group. We use sets of conditions, which we call the “sliding mechanism,” which yield unification with the extended gauge group(s) allowed at arbitrary intermediate energy scales. All models thus can have new gauge bosons within the reach of the LHC, in principle. We apply additional conditions, such as perturbative unification, renormalizability and anomaly cancellation and find that, despite these requirements, for the ansatz (i) with only one additional scale still around 50 different variants exist that can have a LR symmetry below 10 TeV. For the more complicated schemes (ii) and (iii) literally thousands of possible variants exist, and for scheme (ii) we have also found variants with very low Pati-Salam scales. We also discuss possible experimental tests of the models from measurements of supersymmetry masses. Assuming mSugra boundary conditions we calculate certain combinations of soft terms, called “invariants,” for the different classes of models. Values for all the invariants can be classified into a small number of sets, which contain information about the class of models and, in principle, the scale of beyond-minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model physics, even in case the extended gauge group is broken at an energy beyond the reach of the LHC.

Abstract: We discuss the minimal supersymmetric U(1)(B-L) X U(1)(R) extension of the standard model. Gauge couplings unify as in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM), even if the scale of U(1)(B-L) X U(1)(R) breaking is as low as order TeV and the model can be embedded into a SO(10) grand unified theory. The phenomenology of the model differs in some important aspects from the MSSM, leading potentially to rich phenomenology at the LHC. It predicts more light Higgs states and the mostly left CP-even Higgs having a mass that easily reaches 125 GeV, with no constraints on the supersymmetry spectrum. Right sneutrinos can be the lightest supersymmetric particle, changing all dark matter constraints on supersymmetry parameter space. The model has seven neutralinos, and squark/gluino decay chains involve more complicated cascades than in the MSSM. We also briefly discuss low-energy and accelerator constraints on the model, where the most important limits come from recent Z' searches at the LHC and upper limits on lepton flavor violation.