Predictions of the sign of μ from supersymmetry breaking models

The sign of the supersymmetric Higgs boson mass {μ} is usually taken as an independent input parameter in analyses of the supersymmetric standard model. I study the role of theories of supersymmetry breaking in determining the sign of {μ} as an output. Models with vanishing soft scalar couplings at the apparent gauge coupling unification scale are known to predict a positive {μ}. I investigate more general results for the sign of {μ} as a function of the holomorphic soft scalar couplings, and compare to predictions of models with gaugino mass dominance at higher scales. In a significant region of the B₀/m1/2 versus A₀/m1/2 plane including A₀=B₀=0, μ must be positive. In another region, {μ} is definitely negative. Only in a smaller intermediate region does knowledge of the supersymmetry breaking mechanism not permit a definite prediction of the sign of {μ}. The last region will shrink considerably as the top quark mass becomes more accurately known.