Work

Relaxing vector-like top quark mass limits through exotic decays in the type-II two-Higgs-doublet model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the phenomenological implications of extending the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) with vector-like top quarks (VLTs), emphasizing exotic decay channels into non-standard Higgs bosons, $$T \rightarrow Ht$$ T → H t , $$T \rightarrow At$$ T → A t , and $$T \rightarrow H^+b$$ T → H + b , in addition to the conventional Standard Model (SM) modes. These beyond-the-SM (BSM) decays, currently absent from Large Hadron Collider (LHC) searches, can substantially alter the exclusion limits on VLT masses. In the Type-II 2HDM with a singlet VLT, the lower bound decreases from approximately 1.43 TeV to 1.28 TeV, while for a ( T , B ) doublet it drops from 1.54 TeV to 0.99 TeV, driven by the dominance of the $$T \rightarrow H^+b$$ T → H + b mode with a branching ratio approaching 98%.

Source: The European Physical Journal C

DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-15047-3

Authors: R. Benbrik, M. Berrouj, M. Boukidi, M. Ech-chaouy, K. Kahime, K. Salime

Institutions: Cadi Ayyad University, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Narodowe Centrum Nauki

Awards: G3818285562, G5314822124