Mirage models confront the LHC

Abstract

In this dissertation, I study a class of string-motivated effective supergravity theories in light of data from the LHC. I will consider three models that exhibit so-called 'mirage mediation'. I first consider the Binetruy-Gaillard-Wu (BGW) model, a model arising from heterotic string theory in which the dilaton is stabilized via non-perturbative corrections to the Kahler metric. I then consider the Kachru-Kallosh-Linde-Trivedi (KKLT) model, a model of Type-IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau orientifold, and an extension known as deflected mirage mediation (DMM) where contributions from gauge mediation are added to those arising from gravity mediation and anomaly mediation. The sequence of these three models allows an exploration in which the three dominant methods of communicating SUSY breaking appear in differing ratios. For each model, I outline the extent to which the phenomenologically-motived parameter space can be ruled out by existing experimental data before discussing how the remaining parameter space may be probed by continuing studies at the LHC and dark matter direct detection experiments.