Associated production of the Higgs boson and a single top quark in the littlest Higgs model at Large Hadron Collier

TL;DR

This paper investigates the production of Higgs bosons with a top quark in the littlest Higgs model at the LHC, analyzing cross sections, backgrounds, and detection prospects under various parameters.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of $th$ production in the littlest Higgs model, including cross sections, signal-background analysis, and detection feasibility at the LHC.

Findings

Cross sections can significantly deviate from Standard Model predictions.

Detection of the $th$ signal is challenging due to large QCD backgrounds.

A 3σ significance is achievable in a narrow parameter space with 30 fb$^{-1}$] of data.

Abstract

In the context of the littlest Higgs model, we study the associated production of the Higgs boson and a top quark ($th$ production) at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The cross sections for s-channel, t-channel processes and the relative correction for the total cross section are presented. In a part of parameter space, the cross sections can be distinctly deviated from the predictions of Standard Model. We also investigate the signal and backgrounds for the $th$ production at the LHC. However, due to the large QCD backgrounds, it is not very hopeful to directly observe the $th$ signal in most of the parameter space of LH model. It is found that with 30 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, in a narrow range of the parameter space $c=0.8$ and $f\leq 1.62$ TeV, a statistical significance of 3$\sigma$ can be achieved. More than 30 fb$^{-1}$ luminosity will enhance the significance and the possibility of detecting the signal.