Heavy Sparticles: Detecting Problems and Limitations

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In summary, heavy sparticles, especially the neutralino, pose a problem in detection due to their limited range and the difficulty in creating or finding them. This is because the theory of supersymmetric particles is currently limited by the latter. Additionally, the neutralino, which is theoretically the lightest sparticle, has limited reactions with ordinary matter, making it hard to detect. However, it should be possible to access all energy ranges at the LHC, as long as there are interactions and reaction products to observe.
  • #1
misogynisticfeminist
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I don't know what's the deal with heavy sparticles and why would they pose a problem in detection. The only problem i can see is limited range, but is there anything else?
 
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  • #2
The main problems with any hypothetical particle is finding them (if they are stable) or creating them (if they are not stable). The theory of supersymmetric particles (the heavy ones at least) is limited now becasue of the latter. For the neutralino (theoretically, the lightest),the reaction with ordinary matter is quite limited, so they are hard to detect.
 
  • #3
Just a little precision : in fact the neutralinos are not the lightest sparticles in all models (it's the case in minimal supergravity model). For instance, in GMSB models (gauge mediated susy breaking), it's the gravitino who's the lightest susy particle.

All the energy range should be accessible at LHC, but as mathman has just said, we need interactions and reaction products to "see " sparticles.
 

1. What are heavy sparticles?

Heavy sparticles are hypothetical particles predicted by certain theories of physics, such as supersymmetry. They are believed to be heavier counterparts to known particles, such as electrons and quarks.

2. How are heavy sparticles detected?

Heavy sparticles are currently not detected directly, as they are believed to be too heavy to be produced in current particle accelerators. Instead, scientists look for indirect evidence of their existence through high-energy collision experiments and observations of their effects on other particles.

3. What are the limitations of detecting heavy sparticles?

The main limitation in detecting heavy sparticles is their high mass, which makes it difficult to produce them in particle collisions. Additionally, the detection of heavy sparticles is complicated by their short lifetimes and the fact that they may only interact weakly with other particles.

4. Why is the detection of heavy sparticles important?

The detection of heavy sparticles is important because it could provide evidence for the existence of supersymmetry and other theories that go beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. It could also help explain the nature of dark matter, as some models predict that heavy sparticles could be a component of dark matter.

5. Are there any current experiments dedicated to detecting heavy sparticles?

Yes, there are several ongoing experiments at particle colliders, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, that are searching for evidence of heavy sparticles. Additionally, there are also experiments using cosmic ray detectors and other techniques to look for indirect evidence of heavy sparticles. However, no conclusive evidence has been found yet.

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