Unclear Paper: Can m_{\tilde{\chi}_2}, m_{H_1} Exist? Fig 3 & 7 Analysis

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis of a specific paper related to particle physics, focusing on the mass of the second heavy neutralino, m_{\tilde{\chi}_2}, and the light scalar Higgs, m_{H_1}. Participants explore the implications of negative mass values, the existence of these particles in light of previous experimental results, and the experimental methods used in the paper, particularly regarding jet tagging and background systematics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the negative mass value for m_{\tilde{\chi}_2} is a typo, while others argue that negative eigenvalues can occur in the neutralino mass matrix.
  • Concerns are raised about the light scalar Higgs mass, m_{H_1}, and its compatibility with LEP results, with some suggesting that the model's extension to include a Standard Model singlet allows for its existence without contradicting previous searches.
  • Participants discuss the interpretation of Figure 3, with differing views on the ability to distinguish QCD components from tau-lepton jets, and the effectiveness of the methods described in the paper.
  • There is a query about the meaning of "boosted ditau tagging" and how it relates to the analysis presented in the paper, with some participants providing clarification on its purpose and methodology.
  • Discussion includes the impact of systematic uncertainties on sensitivity, with some participants agreeing that increased uncertainties generally reduce sensitivity, while others express confusion about specific plots and their implications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on several points, including the interpretation of negative mass values, the implications of the Higgs mass in relation to LEP results, and the effectiveness of the experimental methods. No consensus is reached on these issues, and multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in understanding the implications of the mass matrix and the interactions of the scalar particles with the Standard Model. There are also unresolved questions regarding the specific methodologies used for background estimation and the interpretation of certain figures in the paper.

ChrisVer
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Trying to move a discussion over a paper I had here too...
I'm referring to this paper :
https://arxiv.org/abs/1604.05394
and in particular Table 2, the mass of the 2nd heavy neutralino m_{\tilde{\chi}_2} is negative: m_{\tilde{\chi}_2}=-135.3 \text{ GeV} .
Can it be a typo? (it has to be).

Also something more... concerning the light scalar Higgs m_{H_1}=93.8 \text{GeV}... I was told that LEP extensively studied that mass range [without any evidence of a new particle]. Though, in the paper it's stated that they used for their fittings results from LEP as well how could they create such a Benchmark Model? In particular how would such a field still exist there while avoiding the previous searches (how exotic properties would it need to have)?

Finally, going into the "experiment" part of the paper, they give the plots of the centrality fraction f_{cent} = \frac{E^{\Delta R<0.1}}{E^{\Delta R<0.2}} and the ratio of the 2- over 1- subjetiness, \tau_{12}.
My question mainly comes from their comment that:
ts issued
from the fragmentation of light quarks are always harder to distinguish from ditau boosted objects, as their properties are similar to the ditau case (see Figure 3).
To be honest, from Figure 3 I see the complete opposite: I can by eye (not even using BDT) cut most of the "QCD" components, something that I can generally do for all the plots for the tau-leptons.subnote:
Also I would be interested to hearing from someone what is the boosted ditau tagging (such as the one shown in Fig7 left pannel- it's not really mentioned within the paper), and if anyone has a clue about how the systematics over Background of 3% and 1% (not even conservative) were taken at the right pannel.
 
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ChrisVer said:
rying to move a discussion over a paper I had here too...
I'm referring to this paper :
https://arxiv.org/abs/1604.05394
and in particular Table 2, the mass of the 2nd heavy neutralino m~χ2mχ~2m_{\tilde{\chi}_2} is negative: m~χ2=−135.3 GeVmχ~2=−135.3 GeVm_{\tilde{\chi}_2}=-135.3 \text{ GeV} .
Can it be a typo? (it has to be).

I don't think it is a typo. The physical mass is of course positive, but the neutralino mass matrix can have negative eigenvalues.

ChrisVer said:
Also something more... concerning the light scalar Higgs mH1=93.8GeVmH1=93.8GeVm_{H_1}=93.8 \text{GeV}... I was told that LEP extensively studied that mass range [without any evidence of a new particle]. Though, in the paper it's stated that they used for their fittings results from LEP as well how could they create such a Benchmark Model? In particular how would such a field still exist there while avoiding the previous searches (how exotic properties would it need to have)?

Well, they consider an extension to the MSSM with an addition of a Standard Model singlet. The A1 and H1 in the table are the pseudoscalar and scalar which are almost pure singlet, and therefore interact very little with known SM particles. So the LEP limit doesn't necessarily apply.

ChrisVer said:
Finally, going into the "experiment" part of the paper, they give the plots of the centrality fraction fcent=EΔR<0.1EΔR<0.2fcent=EΔR<0.1EΔR<0.2f_{cent} = \frac{E^{\Delta Rτ12τ12\tau_{12}.
My question mainly comes from their comment that:
To be honest, from Figure 3 I see the complete opposite: I can by eye (not even using BDT) cut most of the "QCD" components, something that I can generally do for all the plots for the tau-leptons.

I think they mean that standard tau tagging techniques (like f_{cent}) separate better between single taus and qcd jets, than ditau jets and qcd jets. (As seen in figure 3)
ChrisVer said:
subnote:
Also I would be interested to hearing from someone what is the boosted ditau tagging (such as the one shown in Fig7 left pannel- it's not really mentioned within the paper), and if anyone has a clue about how the systematics over Background of 3% and 1% (not even conservative) were taken at the right pannel.

ditau tagging is trying to take advantage of the two prong structure inside the jet ( by using \tau_{12} for example, which measures how much better a jet substructure is described by two prongs rather than one) to distinguish between jets with two collimated taus than standard qcd jets.
The right panel in figure 7 is to show the effect the systematics have on the sensitivity. But I agree with you its seems to be non-conservative and low estimate.
 
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ofirg said:
The physical mass is of course positive, but the neutralino mass matrix can have negative eigenvalues.

Isn't the Mass matrix symmetric?

ofirg said:
Well, they consider an extension to the MSSM with an addition of a Standard Model singlet. The A1 and H1 in the table are the pseudoscalar and scalar which are almost pure singlet, and therefore interact very little with known SM particles. So the LEP limit doesn't necessarily apply.

It's written in the paper that the S and PS are almost purely-scalar interacting with the SM particles only via its mixing with H_u,H_d fields (... however I don't understand how exactly this works. Would they mean h_u,h_d (the doublet scalars)? Because by capital letters they denote the higgs superfields.

ofirg said:
I think they mean that standard tau tagging techniques (like fcentf_{cent}) separate better between single taus and qcd jets, than ditau jets and qcd jets. (As seen in figure 3)
Well if that's what they meant I think it's OK. But in general it seems their BDT is able to get a better bkg rejection of the taus than for the multijets.
I believe the answer is though in the a plot like Fig2-E=200- \tau_{21}. it looks like that a huge fraction of taus are in the 1st bin (they even exceed their logarithmic scale plot). Probably this affects a lot the result?

ofirg said:
to show the effect the systematics have on the sensitivity
Is that how generally a systematic uncertainty would alter the sensitivity? It looks like a pretty general relation then.

ofirg said:
by using τ12\tau_{12} for example, which measures how much better a jet substructure is described by two prongs rather than one
Thanks for this clarrification. I was planning to find a clear way to "describe" and understand that variable...
 
ChrisVer said:
Isn't the Mass matrix symmetric?

A symmetric mass (or hermitian in the complex case) can have negative eigenvalues just not complex values.

It's written in the paper that the S and PS are almost purely-scalar interacting with the SM particles only via its mixing with H_u,H_d fields (... however I don't understand how exactly this works. Would they mean h_u,h_d (the doublet scalars)? Because by capital letters they denote the higgs superfields.

Because they are scalars they will mix with the higgs doublet scalars. There fermionic partners would mix with the fermionic partners of the higgs doublet scalars (higgsinos)

But in general it seems their BDT is able to get a better bkg rejection of the taus than for the multijets.

It is in general not surprising that in some cases the ditau jets are more easily separated from single tau jets than from qcd jets. qcd jets are much varied in their appearance and properties. While single tau jets have specific properties, and as long as the ditau structure can be probed, it should be well separated from the single tau case.
I believe the answer is though in the a plot like Fig2-E=200- \tau_{21}. it looks like that a huge fraction of taus are in the 1st bin (they even exceed their logarithmic scale plot). Probably this affects a lot the result?

You mean figure 3 E=200 \tau_{21}?
I don't know how much this affects the result, but the I don't understand the plot. Single tau jets should have a higher \tau_{21} like qcd jets as they have a one prong structure.

Is that how generally a systematic uncertainty would alter the sensitivity? It looks like a pretty general relation then.

Increasing systematic uncertainty will always reduce the sensitivity, obviously. In their plot the change in sensitivity is just encoded in the formula they use for the sensitivity.
 
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