BSM Higgs Physics in the Exclusive Forward Proton Mode at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of using forward proton detectors at the LHC to study BSM Higgs bosons through exclusive production, updating previous models and analyzing new scenarios including a fourth fermion generation.

Contribution

It provides updated theoretical predictions for BSM Higgs production via central exclusive diffractive processes at the LHC, incorporating recent bounds and extending analysis to new models.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity for BSM Higgs detection at the LHC.

Potential to determine Higgs CP properties using forward proton mode.

Compatibility of new benchmark scenarios with dark matter and precision data.

Abstract

We investigate the prospects for Central Exclusive Diffractive (CED) production of BSM Higgs bosons at the LHC using forward proton detectors installed at 220 m and 420 m distance around ATLAS and / or CMS. We update a previous analysis for the MSSM taking into account improvements in the theoretical calculations and the most recent exclusion bounds from the Tevatron. We extend the MSSM analysis to new benchmark scenarios that are in agreement with the cold dark matter relic abundance and other precision measurements. We analyse the exclusive production of Higgs bosons in a model with a fourth generation of fermions. Finally, we comment on the determination of Higgs spin-parity and coupling structures at the LHC and show that the forward proton mode could provide crucial information on the CP properties of the Higgs bosons.