Filtering Out Signals of Gauge-Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking: Can We Always Eliminate Conventional Supersymmetric Effects ?

We investigate the signal $\gamma\gamma$ + missing energy in a high-energy linear $e^+e^-$ collider, with a view to differentiating between gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking and the conventional supersymmetric models. Prima facie, there is considerable chance of confusion between the two scenarios if the assumption of gaugino mass unification is relaxed. We show that the use of polarized electron beams enables one to distinguish between the two schemes in most cases. There are some regions in the parameter space where this idea does not work, and we suggest some additional methods of distinction. We also perform an analysis of some signals in the gauge-mediated model, coming from the pair production of the second-lightest neutralino.