TeV-scale horizontal symmetry and the slepton mass problem of anomaly mediation

We propose a new scenario for solving the tachyonic slepton mass problem of anomaly mediated supersymmetry breaking models with a non-Abelian horizontal gauge symmetry broken at the TeV scale. A specific model based on SU(3)(H) horizontal symmetry is presented wherein the sleptons receive positive mass-squared from the asymptotically free SU(3)(H) gauge sector. Approximate Global symmetries present in the model strongly suppress flavor changing processes induced by the horizontal vector gauge bosons. The model predicts m(h) less than or similar to 120 GeV for the lightest Higgs boson mass, tan beta similar or equal to 4, and M-V = 1-4 TeV for the SU(3)(H) gauge boson masses. The lightest SUSY particle is found to be the neutral wino, which is a candidate for cold dark matter. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.