Hiding the Higgs Boson with Multiple Scalars

TL;DR

This paper explores models with multiple Higgs singlets that mix with the Standard Model Higgs, potentially hiding the Higgs boson from detection at the LHC due to altered couplings and precision electroweak constraints.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes models with at least two scalar Higgs singlets, highlighting their effects on Higgs couplings and experimental detectability.

Findings

Scalar singlets can significantly reduce Higgs couplings to fermions and gauge bosons.

Models with multiple singlets satisfy electroweak precision constraints.

Such models pose challenges for Higgs discovery at the LHC.

Abstract

We consider models with multiple Higgs scalar gauge singlets and the resulting restrictions on the parameters from precision electroweak measurements. In these models, the scalar singlets mix with the SU(2) Higgs doublet, potentially leading to reduced couplings of the scalars to fermions and gauge bosons relative to the Standard Model Higgs boson couplings. Such models can make the Higgs sector difficult to explore at the LHC. We emphasize the new physics resulting from the addition of at least two scalar Higgs singlets.