Gauge Mediation in the NMSSM with a Light Singlet: Sparticles within the Reach of LHC Run II

Abstract

Relatively light stops in gauge mediation models are usually made compatible with the Higgs mass of 125 GeV by introducing direct Higgs-messenger couplings. We show that such couplings are not necessary in a simple and predictive model that combines minimal gauge mediation and the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM). We show that one can obtain a 125 GeV Standard Model-like Higgs boson with stops as light as 1.1 TeV, thanks to the mixing of the Higgs with a singlet state at ${\cal O}(90-100)$ GeV that can explain the LEP excess. In this scenario the singlet-higgs-higgs superfields coupling $\lambda$ is small and $\tan\beta$ large. Sparticle searches at the LHC may come with additional $b-$jets or taus and may involve displaced vertices. The sparticle production cross-section at the 13 TeV LHC can be ${\mathcal O}(10-100)$ fb, leading to great prospects for discovery in the early phase of LHC Run II.