Using Bayesian Neural Networks to Make Predictions from Supersymmetry Theories

POSTER

Abstract

One of the goals in current particle physics research is to obtain evidence for theories beyond the Standard Model (BSM). Many of these theories are high dimensional, which makes searching through their possible predictions difficult. For this project, machine learning was used to make predictions from a simplified supersymmetric model, namely the phenomenological Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (pMSSM), a BSM theory with 19 free parameters. Specifically, a Tensorflow implementation of Bayesian Neural Networks was developed for this project to leverage modern day Graphics Processing Units in both the training and prediction phase and obtain confidence intervals. This algorithm was then used to learn to predict cross sections for arbitrary pMSSM parameter combinations, the mass of the Higgs boson they create, and the theoretical validity of the points. All three targets were predicted to a high degree of accuracy with 4.27 percent error or less and can now be used to make predictions significantly faster than traditional methods, with the cross section prediction occurring over 10 million times faster than previous algorithms. These results demonstrate the potential for machine learning to help probe these high dimensional spaces in BSM theories.

Authors

  • Braden Kronheim

    Davidson College

  • Emmanuel Sarpong

    Georgia State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, American Association of Physics Teachers, Bradley University, Michigan State University, University of St. Thomas, Kansas State University, Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate and Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Delhi, University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), President of UNCW SPS Chapter, Duke University, NC Central University, Davidson College, Beijing Normal University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, University of Kentucky, Syracuse University, Clemson University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Florida International University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Indiana University, Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Bowie State University, MD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Arizona State University, University of California, Davis, North Carolina State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Charlotte

  • Emmanuel Sarpong

    Georgia State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, American Association of Physics Teachers, Bradley University, Michigan State University, University of St. Thomas, Kansas State University, Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate and Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Delhi, University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), President of UNCW SPS Chapter, Duke University, NC Central University, Davidson College, Beijing Normal University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, University of Kentucky, Syracuse University, Clemson University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Florida International University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Indiana University, Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Bowie State University, MD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Arizona State University, University of California, Davis, North Carolina State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Charlotte

  • Emmanuel Sarpong

    Georgia State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, American Association of Physics Teachers, Bradley University, Michigan State University, University of St. Thomas, Kansas State University, Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate and Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Delhi, University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), President of UNCW SPS Chapter, Duke University, NC Central University, Davidson College, Beijing Normal University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, University of Kentucky, Syracuse University, Clemson University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Florida International University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Indiana University, Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Bowie State University, MD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Arizona State University, University of California, Davis, North Carolina State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Charlotte