Constraining extra-fermion(s) from the Higgs boson data

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how Higgs boson data constrains models with extra fermions, providing a generic formalism for testing various scenarios and revealing significant constraints on their properties and masses.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive framework for fitting Higgs data to models with any number of extra fermions, improving constraints and understanding of their couplings and masses.

Findings

Constraints on extra-quark Yukawa couplings up to ~200 TeV.

Preference for an extra-quark with electric charge -7/3.

Definition of the concept of extra-dysfermiophilia.

Abstract

First, we study the fit of the Higgs boson rates, based on all the latest collider data, in the effective framework for any Extra-Fermion(s) [EF]. The best-fit results are presented in a generic formalism allowing to apply those for the test of any EF scenario. The variations of the fit with each one of the five fundamental parameters are described, and, the obtained fits can be better than in the Standard Model (SM). We show how the determination of the EF loop-contributions to the Higgs couplings with photons and gluons is relying on the knowledge of the top and bottom Yukawa couplings (affected by EF mixings); for determining the latter coupling, the relevance of the investigation of the Higgs production in association with bottom quarks is emphasized. In the instructive approximation of a single EF, we find that the constraints from the fit already turn out to be quite predictive, in both cases of an EF mixed or not with SM fermions, and especially when combined with the extra-quark (-lepton) mass bounds from direct EF searches at the LHC (LEP) collider. In the case of an unmixed extra-quark, non-trivial fit constraints are pointed out on the Yukawa couplings for masses up to ~200 TeV. In particular, we define the extra-dysfermiophilia, which is predicted at 68.27% C.L. for any single extra-quark (independently of its electric charge). Another result is that, among any components of SM multiplet extensions, the extra-quark with a -7/3 electric charge is the one preferred by the present Higgs fit.