First an idol, then an outcast: both for wrong reasons?
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part of Springer Nature, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000134-7
THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL SPECIAL TOPICS
Review
First an idol, then an outcast: both for wrong reasons? Biswarup Mukhopadhyayaa Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India Received 19 June 2020 / Accepted 30 September 2020 Published online 14 December 2020 Abstract. We present a critique on the present status of supersymmetry, based on the viewpoint that its most important motivation in the realm of observable particle phenomenology is the existence of dark matter in the universe. This motivation may as well override the issue of naturalness of the electroweak scale, and it sets up different yardsticks for the supersymmetric particle spectrum, out of which the dark matter candidate emerges. A few investigations in the context of slightly ‘unusual’ scenarios are briefly reported in this context.
1 Introduction The reception of supersymmetry (SUSY) in the sphere of particle physics has taken rather unexpected turns in recent times. The community developed interest in SUSY initially for its mathematical/aesthetic appeal, which was converted, the early 1980’s onwards, into adulation due to its perceived phenomenological potential [1,2]. More than three decades were spent thereafter in intense pursuit at colliders, in low-energy studies and also in the context of astrophysical and cosmological questions. Modelbuilding and bids for unification of forces as well as parameters went on in parallel with equal intensity; SUSY became the template for physics beyond the standard model (BSM), all the way till the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) started running. Then, soon after a Higgs-like scalar (if not ‘the’ Higgs boson) with mass around 125 GeV had been identified [3,4], interest in SUSY started dwindling, making such a nosedive that it is considered hardly a hot subject now. And it is so in spite of the persistent expectation that BSM physics lurks around the corner. A number of factors have contributed to this. On the one hand, the upwardmoving mass limits threaten the solution to the naturalness problem. At the same time, difficulties are faced in reconciling the mass of the 125-GeV scalar with SUSY parameters in the minimal scenario unless they are on the high side according to the traditional view on naturalness [5]. These have undeniably served to take the spotlight away from SUSY. Of course, it is invoked in some ‘emergent’ forms (though mostly in quantum-mechanical versions), to explain phenomena ranging from the occurrence of magnetic monopoles [6] to observed properties of topological insulators [7]. Nevertheless, the rapid onset of coldness in shoulders tuned towards testable SUSY at the fundamental level is indeed enigmatic. a
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The European Physical Journal Special Topics
As hinted above, there are definite reasons behind the idolatry lasting over a certain period, and the subsequent lack of warmth. Recounting them is certainly instructive. In addition, howev
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