Triplet Scalars and Dark Matter at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores a Standard Model extension with a Higgs sector including a doublet and a triplet, predicting new scalars and dark matter candidates with distinctive collider signatures at the LHC.

Contribution

It introduces a simple Higgs sector extension with triplet scalars, analyzing its vacuum structure, constraints, and collider phenomenology, including dark matter and unique LHC signals.

Findings

Presence of light charged scalars with long-lived states.

Prediction of a dark matter candidate in the model.

Enhanced two-photon events at the LHC due to charged scalars.

Abstract

We investigate the predictions of a simple extension of the Standard Model where the Higgs sector is composed of one $SU(2)_L$ doublet and one real triplet. We discuss the general features of the model, including its vacuum structure, theoretical and phenomenological constraints, and expectations for Higgs collider studies. The model predicts the existence of a pair of light charged scalars and, for vanishing triplet vacuum expectation value, contains a cold dark matter candidate. When the latter possibility occurs, the charged scalars are long-lived, leading to a prediction of distinctive single charged track with missing transverse energy or double charged track events at the LHC. The model predicts a significant excess of two-photon events compared to SM expectations due to the presence of a light charged scalar.