Neutral Scalars Research Articles

Flavor conservation in two-Higgs-doublet models

In extensions of the Standard Model with two Higgs doublets, flavor-changing Yukawa couplings of the neutral scalars may be present at tree level. In this work, we consider the most general scenario in which those flavor-changing couplings are absent. We revise the conditions that the Yukawa coupling matrices must obey for such general flavour conservation (gFC) and study the one-loop renormalization group evolution of such conditions in both the quark and lepton sectors. We show that gFC in the leptonic sector is one-loop stable under the renormalization group evolution, and in the quark sector, we present some new Cabibbo-like solution also one-loop stable under renormalization group evolution. At a phenomenological level, we obtain the regions for the different gFC parameters that are allowed by the existing experimental constraints related to the 125 GeV Higgs.

Reappraisal of constraints on Z′ models from unitarity and direct searches at the LHC

In a truly model-independent approach, we reexamine a minimal extension of the Standard Model (SM) through the introduction of an additional $U(1)$ symmetry leading to a new neutral gauge boson ($Z'$), allowing its kinetic mixing with the hypercharge gauge boson. An SM neutral scalar is used to spontaneously break this extra symmetry leading to the mass of the $Z'$. Except for three right-handed neutrinos no other fermions are added. We use the current LHC Drell-Yan data to put model-independent constraints in the parameter space of three quantities, namely, $M_{Z'}$, the $Z$-$Z'$ mixing angle ($\alpha_z$) and the extra $U(1)$ effective gauge coupling ($g'_x$), which absorb all model dependence. We impose additional constraints from unitarity and low energy neutrino-electron scattering. However, limits extracted from direct searches turn out to be most stringent. We obtain $M_{Z'} > 4.4$ TeV and $|\alpha_z| < 0.001$ at $95\%$ C.L., when the strength of the additional $U(1)$ gauge coupling is the same as that of the SM $SU(2)_L$.

The Higgs boson in the minimal 3-3-1 model

In this paper we present an analytic solution for the mass matrix of the CP-even neutral scalars in the minimal 331 model (m331), identifying the Standard Model Higgs boson and its self-interactions, showing that the m331 can automatically reproduce the Higgs potential of the Standard Model. We also present a method to generate numerical solutions for the quarks and leptons masses and mixings that are compatible with the measured masses, the Cabbibo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) and Pontecorvo–Maki–Nakagawa–Sakata (PMNS) matrices. The method employed here to find these solutions can be adapted to other multi-Higgs models.

Multi-Higgs models with CP symmetries of increasingly high order

When building $CP$-symmetric models beyond the Standard Model, one can impose $CP$ symmetry of higher order. This means that one needs to apply the $CP$ transformation more than two times to get the identity transformation, but still the model is perfectly $CP$-conserving. A multi-Higgs-doublet model based on $CP$ symmetry of order 4, dubbed CP4, was recently proposed and its phenomenology is being explored. Here, we show that the construction does not stop at CP4. We build examples of renormalizable multi-Higgs-doublet potentials which are symmetric under CP8 or CP16, without leading to any accidental symmetry. If the vacuum conserves $CP$ symmetry of order $2k$, then the neutral scalars become $CP$ eigenstates, which are characterized not by $CP$ parities but by $CP$ charges defined modulo $2k$. One or more lightest states can be the dark matter candidates, which are protected against decay not by the internal symmetry but by the exotic $CP$. We briefly discuss their mass spectra and interaction patterns for CP8 and CP16.

Loop effects on the Higgs decay widths in extended Higgs models

In order to identify the Higgs sector using future precision data, we calculate the partial decay widths of the discovered Higgs boson with the mass of 125 GeV into fermion pairs and gauge-boson pairs with one-loop electroweak and one-loop QCD corrections in various extended Higgs models, such as the Higgs singlet model and four types of two Higgs doublet models. In the tree-level analysis, the patterns of deviations from the standard model predictions in the partial decay widths for various decay modes are distinctive for each model, due to the mixing of the Higgs boson with other neutral scalars. Our present analysis shows that even with a full set of radiative corrections we can discriminate these extended Higgs models via the partial decay widths as long as any of the deviations is detected at future precision measurements. Furthermore, we quantitatively show that in each model the magnitude of the deviations can provide important information on the mass scale of extra Higgs bosons under the theoretical constraints from perturbative unitary and vacuum stability, which can be obtained without discovery of the additional Higgs bosons.

Lepton Flavor Violation Induced by a Neutral Scalar at Future Lepton Colliders.

Many new physics scenarios beyond standard model often necessitate the existence of a (light) neutral scalar H, which might couple to the charged leptons in a flavor violating way, while evading all existing constraints. We show that such scalars could be effectively produced at future lepton colliders, either on shell or off shell depending on their mass, and induce lepton flavor violating (LFV) signals, i.e., e^{+}e^{-}→ℓ_{α}^{±}ℓ_{β}^{∓}(+H) with α≠β. We find that a large parameter space of the scalar mass and the LFV couplings can be probed well beyond the current low-energy constraints in the lepton sector. In particular, a scalar-loop induced explanation of the long-standing muon g-2 anomaly can be directly tested in the on-shell mode.

Signal for a light singlet scalar at the LHC

In the general Higgs portal like models, the extra neutral scalar, $S$, can mix with the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson, $H$. We perform an exploratory study focusing on the direct search for such a light singlet $S$ at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). After careful study of the SM background, we find the process $pp\rightarrow t\bar{t}S$ followed by $S\rightarrow b\bar{b}$ can be used to investigate $S$ with mass in the $20<M_S<100$ GeV range, which has not been well explored at the LHC. The signal significance becomes meaningful with a luminosity around a few $\mbox{ab}^{-1}$. Also, we study the prospects of finding the light scalar at the future 100 TeV $pp$ collider, the $Z$ and Higgs factories. With similar luminosity, the current LEP limits on the mixing between $S$ and $H$ can be improved by at least one or two orders of magnitude.

Leptogenesis constraints on B \u2212 L breaking Higgs boson in TeV scale seesaw models

In the type-I seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses, there exists a B − L symmetry, whose breaking leads to the lepton number violating mass of the heavy Majorana neutrinos. This would imply the existence of a new neutral scalar associated with the B −L symmetry breaking, analogous to the Higgs boson of the Standard Model. If in such models, the heavy neutrino decays are also responsible for the observed baryon asymmetry of the universe via the leptogenesis mechanism, the new seesaw scalar interactions with the heavy neutrinos will induce additional dilution terms for the heavy neutrino and lepton number densities. We make a detailed study of this dilution effect on the lepton asymmetry in three generic classes of seesaw models with TeV-scale B − L symmetry breaking, namely, in an effective theory framework and in scenarios with global or local U(1)B−L symmetry. We find that requiring successful leptogenesis imposes stringent constraints on the mass and couplings of the new scalar in all three cases, especially when it is lighter than the heavy neutrinos. We also discuss the implications of these new constraints and prospects of testing leptogenesis in presence of seesaw scalars at colliders.

CP violation effects in the diphoton spectrum of heavy scalars

In a class of new physics models, an extended Higgs sector and new CP-violating sources are simultaneously present in order to explain the baryon asymmetry in the Universe. The aim of this work is to study the implications of beyond the Standard Model (SM) CP violation for the searches of heavy scalars at the LHC. In particular, we focus on the diphoton channel searches in the CP-violating two-Higgs-doublet model (CPV 2HDM). To have a sizable CPV in the scalar sector, the two heavy neutral scalars in 2HDM tend to be nearly degenerate. The theoretical constraints of unitarity, perturbativity and vacuum stability are considered, which requires that the heavy scalars $M_H \lesssim 1$ TeV in a large region of the parameter space. The experimental limits are also taken into account, including the direct searches of heavy neutral scalars in the final state of the SM $h$, $W$ and $Z$ bosons, the differential $t\bar{t}$ data, those from the charged scalar sector which is implied by the oblique $T$ parameter, as well as the precise measurements of the electric dipole moments of electron and mercury. The quantum interference effects between the resonances and the SM background are crucially important for the diphoton signals, and the CPV mixing of the quasi-degenerate heavy scalars could enhance significantly the resonance peak. With an integrated luminosity of 3000 fb$^{-1}$ at the LHC, almost the whole parameter space of CPV 2HDM could be probed in the diphoton channel, and the CPV could also be directly detected via the diphoton spectrum.

Status of the scalar singlet dark matter model

One of the simplest viable models for dark matter is an additional neutral scalar, stabilised by a mathbb {Z}_2 symmetry. Using the GAMBIT package and combining results from four independent samplers, we present Bayesian and frequentist global fits of this model. We vary the singlet mass and coupling along with 13 nuisance parameters, including nuclear uncertainties relevant for direct detection, the local dark matter density, and selected quark masses and couplings. We include the dark matter relic density measured by Planck, direct searches with LUX, PandaX, SuperCDMS and XENON100, limits on invisible Higgs decays from the Large Hadron Collider, searches for high-energy neutrinos from dark matter annihilation in the Sun with IceCube, and searches for gamma rays from annihilation in dwarf galaxies with the Fermi-LAT. Viable solutions remain at couplings of order unity, for singlet masses between the Higgs mass and about 300 GeV, and at masses above sim 1 TeV. Only in the latter case can the scalar singlet constitute all of dark matter. Frequentist analysis shows that the low-mass resonance region, where the singlet is about half the mass of the Higgs, can also account for all of dark matter, and remains viable. However, Bayesian considerations show this region to be rather fine-tuned.

Standard model EFT and extended scalar sectors

One of the simplest extensions of the Standard Model is the inclusion of an additional scalar multiplet, and we consider scalars in the $SU(2)_L$ singlet, triplet, and quartet representations. We examine models with heavy neutral scalars, $m_H\sim 1-2$ TeV, and the matching of the UV complete theories to the low energy effective field theory. We demonstrate the agreement of the kinematic distributions obtained in the singlet models for the gluon fusion of a Higgs pair with the predictions of the effective field theory. The restrictions on the extended scalar sectors due to unitarity and precision electroweak measurements are summarized and lead to highly restricted regions of viable parameter space for the triplet and quartet models.

Searching for signatures of E6

The grand unified group $E_6$~is a predictive scheme for physics beyond the standard model (SM). It offers the possibility of extra $Z$ bosons, new vector-like fermions, sterile neutrinos, and neutral scalars in addition to the SM Higgs boson. Some previous discussions of these features are updated and extended. Their relevance to present searches at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and in patterns of neutrino masses is noted. Addition of a small set of scalar bosons at the TeV scale permits gauge unification near a scale of $10^{16}$ GeV, and leads to bounds on masses of particles beyond those in the standard model.

Searching for the heavy charged custodial fiveplet Higgs boson in the Georgi-Machacek model at the International Linear Collider

The Georgi-Machacek (GM) model is one of many Beyond Standard Model scenarios with an extended scalar sector which can group under the custodial $\rm SU(2)_C$ symmetry into a fiveplet, a triplet, and two singlets. The heavy charged custodial fiveplet Higgs $\rm H_5^{\pm}$ are typical particles in GM model which couple to the electroweak gauge bosons, therefore provide a good testing ground for the detection of the $\rm H^\pm W^\mp Z$ vertex. The neutral custodial fiveplet Higgs $\rm H_5^{0}$ in the GM model has the same mass with $\rm H_5^{\pm}$ and couples to the electroweak gauge bosons $\rm W^+ W^-$ and ZZ both. We study the discovery prospects of the exotic scalar bosons $\rm H_5^{\pm}$ and $\rm H_5^{0}$ at the International Linear Collider(ILC) via the vector boson associated production processes, and discuss two different decay modes for both charged and neutral scalars. The discovery potential is discussed. Testing the mass degeneracy of charged and neutral scalar bosons in the GM model is also considered.

Lepton portal limit of inert Higgs doublet dark matter with radiative neutrino mass

We study an extension of the Inert Higgs Doublet Model (IHDM) by three copies of right handed neutrinos and heavy charged leptons such that both the inert Higgs doublet and the heavy fermions are odd under the Z2 symmetry of the model. The neutrino masses are generated at one loop in the scotogenic fashion. Assuming the neutral scalar of the inert Higgs to be the dark matter candidate, we particularly look into the region of parameter space where dark matter relic abundance is primarily governed by the inert Higgs coupling with the leptons. This corresponds to tiny Higgs portal coupling of dark matter as well as large mass splitting within different components of the inert Higgs doublet suppressing the coannihilations. Such lepton portal couplings can still produce the correct relic abundance even if the Higgs portal couplings are arbitrarily small. Such tiny Higgs portal couplings may be responsible for suppressed dark matter nucleon cross section as well as tiny invisible branching ratio of the standard model Higgs, to be probed at ongoing and future experiments. We also briefly discuss the collider implications of such a scenario.

Di-Higgs enhancement by neutral scalar as probe of new colored sector

We study a class of models in which the Higgs pair production is enhanced at hadron colliders by an extra neutral scalar. The scalar particle is produced by the gluon fusion via a loop of new colored particles, and decays into di-Higgs through its mixing with the Standard Model Higgs. Such a colored particle can be the top/bottom partner, such as in the dilaton model, or a colored scalar which can be triplet, sextet, octet, etc., called leptoquark, diquark, coloron, etc., respectively. We examine the experimental constraints from the latest Large Hadron Collider (LHC) data, and discuss the future prospects of the LHC and the Future Circular Collider up to 100 TeV. We also point out that the 2.4,sigma excess in the b bar{b} gamma gamma final state reported by the ATLAS experiment can be interpreted as the resonance of the neutral scalar at 300 GeV.

Phenomenology of the SU(3)C⊗SU(2)L⊗SU(3)R⊗U(1)X gauge model

We study the left-right asymmetric model based on SU(3)_C \otimes SU(2)_L \otimes SU(3)_R \otimes U(1)_X gauge group, which improves the theoretical and phenomenological aspects of the known left-right symmetric model. This new gauge symmetry yields that the fermion generation number is three, and the tree-level flavor-changing neutral currents arise in both gauge and scalar sectors. Also, it can provide the observed neutrino masses as well as dark matter automatically. Further, we investigate the mass spectrum of the gauge and scalar fields. All the gauge interactions of the fermions and scalars are derived. We examine the tree-level contributions of the new neutral vector, Z'_R, and new neutral scalar, H_2, to flavor-violating neutral meson mixings, say K-\bar{K}, B_d-\bar{B}_d, and B_s-\bar{B}_s, which strongly constrain the new physics scale as well as the elements of the right-handed quark mixing matrices. The bounds for the new physics scale are in agreement with those coming from the \rho-parameter as well as the mixing parameters between W, Z bosons and new gauge bosons.

Phenomenological signatures of mixed complex scalar WIMP dark matter

We discuss phenomenological aspects of models whose scalar sector is extended by an isospin doublet scalar and a complex singlet scalar as an effective theory of supersymmetric models with mixed sneutrinos. In such models, the lighter of the mixed neutral scalars can become a viable dark matter (DM) candidate by imposing a global U(1) symmetry. We find that the thermal WIMP scenario is consistent with the cosmological DM abundance when the mass of the scalar is half of that of the discovered Higgs boson or larger than around 100 GeV. We also point out that, with an additional isospin singlet Majorana fermion mediator, even the mass of the scalar WIMP less than around 5 GeV is compatible with the observed DM abundance. We show that such cosmologically allowed regions can be explored at future collider experiments and DM detections.

Neutrino masses and superheavy dark matter in the 3-3-1-1 model

In this work, we interpret the 3-3-1-1 model when the B-L and 3-3-1 breaking scales behave simultaneously as the inflation scale. This setup not only realizes the previously achieved consequences of inflation and leptogenesis, but also provides new insights in superheavy dark matter and neutrino masses. We argue that the 3-3-1-1 model can incorporate a scalar sextet, which induces both small masses for the neutrinos via a combined type I and II seesaw and large masses for the new neutral fermions. Additionally, all the new particles have large masses in the inflation scale. The lightest particle among the W-particles that have abnormal (i.e., wrong) B-L number in comparison to those of the standard model particles may be superheavy dark matter as it is stabilized by W-parity. The dark matter candidate may be a Majorana fermion, a neutral scalar, or a neutral gauge boson, which was properly created in the early universe due to gravitational effects on the vacuum or thermal production after cosmic inflation.

Two-loop corrections to the rho parameter in Two-Higgs-Doublet models

Models with two scalar doublets are among the simplest extensions of the Standard Model which fulfill the relation rho = 1 at lowest order for the rho parameter as favored by experimental data for electroweak observables allowing only small deviations from unity. Such small deviations varDelta rho originate exclusively from quantum effects with special sensitivity to mass splittings between different isospin components of fermions and scalars. In this paper the dominant two-loop electroweak corrections to varDelta rho are calculated in the CP-conserving THDM, resulting from the top-Yukawa coupling and the self-couplings of the Higgs bosons in the gauge-less limit. The on-shell renormalization scheme is applied. With the assumption that one of the CP-even neutral scalars represents the scalar boson observed by the LHC experiments, with standard properties, the two-loop non-standard contributions in varDelta rho can be separated from the standard ones. These contributions are of particular interest since they increase with mass splittings between non-standard Higgs bosons and can be additionally enhanced by tan beta and lambda _5, an additional free coefficient of the Higgs potential, and can thus modify the one-loop result substantially. Numerical results are given for the dependence on the various non-standard parameters, and the influence on the calculation of electroweak precision observables is discussed.

Radiatively generated hierarchy of lepton and quark masses

We propose a model for radiatively generating the hierarchy of the Standard Model (SM) fermion masses: tree-level top quark mass; 1-loop bottom, charm, tau and muon masses; 2-loop masses for the light up, down and strange quarks as well as for the electron; and 4-loop masses for the light active neutrinos. Our model is based on a softlybroken S3 × Z2 discrete symmetry. Its scalar sector consists only of one SM Higgs doublet and three electrically neutral SM-singlet scalars. We do not need to invoke either electrically charged scalar fields, or an extra SU2L scalar doublet, or the spontaneous breaking of the discrete group, which are typical for other radiative models in the literature. The model features a viable scalar dark matter candidate.