Search for a two-Higgs-boson doublet using a simplified model in $p\bar{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV

TL;DR

This paper searches for signs of a hypothesized extended Higgs sector involving multiple Higgs bosons in proton-antiproton collisions, using data from the CDF II detector, and sets upper limits on production rates.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model for Higgs cascade decays and provides experimental constraints on its parameters using collider data.

Findings

No significant deviation from the standard model observed.

Set 95% CL upper limits on cross-section times branching ratio.

Constraints vary from 1.3 pb to 15 fb depending on Higgs masses.

Abstract

We present a search for new particles in an extension to the standard model that includes a heavy Higgs boson ($H^0$), a lighter charged Higgs boson ($H^\pm$), and an even-lighter Higgs boson $h^0$, with decays leading to a $W$-boson pair and a bottom-antibottom quark pair in the final state. We use events with exactly one lepton, missing transverse momentum, and at least four jets in data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.7 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the CDF II detector in proton-antiproton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV. We find the data to be consistent with standard model predictions and report the results in terms of a simplified Higgs-cascade-decay model, setting 95% confidence level upper limits on the product of cross-section and branching fraction from 1.3 pb to 15 fb as a function of $H^0$ and $H^\pm$ masses for $m_h^{0}=126$ GeV$/c^2$.