LEP: Higgs and SUSY searches

Two of the primary goals of LEP have been to perform systematic searches for minimal standard model (SM) and nonminimal Higgs bosons and of SUSY particles like charginos, neutralinos and 3rd generation squarks. Because of relatively low backgrounds inherent in e/sup +/e /sup -/ interactions the sensitivity extends practically over the entire allowed kinematic range. These searches became particularly interesting with the advent of LEP2 in 1996: LEP ran at square root s =161.3 GeV, just above the W-pair production threshold, providing 10 pb/sup -1/ luminosity per LEP experiment. In autumn 1996 LEP provided a similar luminosity at 172 GeV and in 1997 and 1998 integrated luminosities of 55 and 175 pb/sup -1/ per LEP experiment have been achieved at square root s values of 183 and 189 GeV respectively. In this talk LEP results on Higgs and SUSY searches are presented. (7 refs)