On radiative gauge symmetry breaking in the minimal supersymmetric model

We present a critical reappraisal of radiative gauge symmetry breaking in the minimal supersymmetry standard model. We show that a naïve use of the renormalization group improved tree-level potential can lead to incorrect conclusions. We specify the conditions under which the above method gives reliable results, by performing a comparison with the results obtained from the full one-loop potential. We also point out how the stability constraint and the conditions for the absence of charge- and colour-breaking minima should be applied. Finally, we comment on the uncertainties affecting the model predictions for physical observables, in particular for the top quark mass. © 1990.