FLAT DIRECTIONS IN THE SCALAR POTENTIAL OF THE SUPERSYMMETRIC STANDARD MODEL

The scalar potential of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSS M) is nearly flat along many directions in field space. We provide a c atalog of the flat directions of the renormalizable and supersymmetry- preserving part of the scalar potential of the MSSM, using the corresp ondence between flat directions and gauge-invariant polynomials of chi ral superfields. We then study how these flat directions are lifted by non-renormalizable terms in the superpotential, with special attentio n given to the subtleties associated with the family index structure. Several flat directions are lifted only by supersymmetry-breaking effe cts and by supersymmetric terms in the scalar potential of surprisingl y high dimensionality.