Search Strategies for Top Partners in Composite Higgs models

Abstract

We consider how best to search for top partners in generic composite Higgs models. We begin by classifying the possible group representations carried by top partners in models with and without a custodial $SU(2)\times SU(2)⋊{\mathbb{Z}}_2$ symmetry protecting the rate for $Z\to b\overline{b}$ decays. We identify a number of minimal models whose top partners only have electric charges of $\frac{1}{3},\frac{2}{3},$ or $\frac{4}{3}$ and thus decay to top or bottom quarks via a single Higgs or electroweak gauge boson. We develop an inclusive search for these based on a top veto, which we find to be more effective than existing searches. Less minimal models feature light states that can be sought in final states with like-sign leptons and so we find that 2 straightforward LHC searches give a reasonable coverage of the gamut of composite Higgs models.

23 pages, including 2 Appendices, 3 figures and 2 tables. v2: Added references

References in corpus (6)

• PYTHIA 6.4 Physics and Manual
• A custodial symmetry for Zbb
• Beyond the Minimal Composite Higgs Model
• Implications of a Light Higgs in Composite Models
• Searching for third-generation composite leptoquarks at the LHC
• Search for light custodians in a clean decay channel at the LHC

Cited by in corpus (11)

• Top Partner Discovery in the $T\to tZ$ channel at the LHC
• Search for single production of the vector-like top partner at the 14 TeV LHC
• Search for single production of the heavy vectorlike $T$ quark with $T\to th$ and $h\to \gamma \gamma$ at the high-luminosity LHC
• Search for single production of a top quark partner via the $T\to th$ and $h\to W{W}^{\ast }$ channels at the LHC
• Higgs couplings and Naturalness in the littlest Higgs model with T-parity at the LHC and TLEP
• Broad toplike vector quarks at LHC and HL-LHC
• Flavour Deconstructing the Composite Higgs
• Probing a ${\mathrm{Z}}^{\prime }$ with non-universal fermion couplings through top quark fusion, decays to bottom quarks, and machine learning techniques
• Fermion Resonances in Quiver Theories with a pNGB Higgs
• Dissecting new physics models through kinematic edges
• Doubling down on down-type diquarks