Colloquia

Supersymmetry is a proposed symmetry of particle physics that relates fermions and bosons to each other. It makes the exciting prediction that for every known elementary particle there is a heavier "superpartner" particle waiting to be discovered. One of these superpartners may be the dark matter required by astrophysical and cosmological observations. I will explain the motivations behind supersymmetry, the predicted properties of the superpartner particles, and review indirect evidence suggesting that at least some of them are likely to be discovered at the Large Hadron Collider within the next few years. Several of the most likely possibilities for the discovery signature for superpartners will be discussed.