| Description |
Supersymmetry (SUSY) is a long-lauded extension to the Standard Model of particle physics that potentially answers many of the Standard Model's outstanding questions. As the experimental endeavor progresses, large swaths of the SUSY parameter space are being constrained and ruled out, particularly within the low mass regions and the simplest incarnations of SUSY. However, many areas of SUSY remain potentially valid, with experimental tests still forthcoming. These higher mass and less simplified versions are also the ones that have received the least amount of focus hitherto. As we move to this new frontier, we must ask the question: How well do we understand the uncertainties inherent in the predictions of SUSY? In this dissertation, I present results that help answer this question. To do so, I consider benchmark scenarios from several different SUSY frameworks and evaluate these benchmark points through different analysis pipelines. I and that the theoretical uncertainties in the calculation of the SUSY sparticle spectrum, tame in the electroweak (low scale) SUSY models, are significant in high scale theories. In all cases, even small differences lead to substantial uncertainties in dark matter observables. Furthermore, important uncertainties can be introduced simply by the combination of tools included in one's analysis pipeline. Finally, I will discuss future work on aver physics observables which we expect to exhibit similar sensitivities to the details of SUSY calculations. As the search for physics beyond the Standard Model ramps up and we hope that exciting discoveries are around the corner, how well we understand predictions from theory { how well we understand the uncertainties in the calculations of any model of new physics, including SUSY { is increasingly crucial. |
