Wolfgang Hollik - Böcker

Although the Standard Model of strong and electroweakinteractions describesparticle physics phenomena up to thevector boson mass scale very well, it is in general believedthat it is not the ultimate theory. The aim of this seriesof seminars was to initiate discussions between fieldtheorists and phenomenologically oriented high energyphysicists on the observable consequenses of the concept ofSUSY. The subjects covered by the individual contributionsinclude an introduction to the basic features of SUSYmodels, in particular the minimal supersymmetric StandardModel, followed by discussions of the theoreticalpredictions and experimental findings on the particlecontent and mass spectra, cosmological consequenses,indirect manifestations through quantum effects, radiativecorrections in the supersymmetric Higgs sector, and theconcept of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking in thecontext ofSUSY. These topics are treated at a levelappropriate for advanced students.However, the book shouldalso be useful for teachers and researchers.

This review gives a brief discussion of the structure of the Standard Model and its quantum corrections for testing the electroweak theory at current and future colliders. The predictions for the vector boson masses, neutrino scattering cross sections, and the Z resonance observables such as the width of the Z resonance, partial widths, effective neutral current coupling constants and mixing angles at the Z peak, are presented. Recent experimental data and their implications for the present status of the Standard Model are compared. Finally, the question of how virtual new physics can influence the predictions for the precision observables and the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) as a special example of particular theoretical interest are discussed.