Searches for New Vector Like Quarks: Higgs Channels

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of the LHC to detect new vector-like quarks decaying into Higgs bosons, focusing on single production channels involving Higgs fusion and associated production, which complement existing searches.

Contribution

It is the first to analyze the LHC reach for vector-like quarks decaying into Higgs bosons via novel production channels.

Findings

Both production channels show promising LHC reach.

Channels complement existing electroweak gauge boson decay searches.

Heavy quark decays into Higgs bosons are crucial for understanding the theory.

Abstract

New vector-like quarks can mix sizably with first generation Standard Model quarks without conflicting with current experimental constraints. Searches for such new quarks have been performed in pair production and electroweak single production channels with subsequent decays into electroweak gauge bosons. To fully explore the underlying structure of the theory the channels with heavy quark decays into Higgs bosons are crucial and in this article we consider for the first time the LHC reach for such channels. The two main production mechanisms involve single production of new quarks through the fusion of a vector boson and the Higgs and single production in association with a Higgs boson. We show that both channels have promising reach at the LHC and that they complement the current direct searches involving decays into electroweak gauge bosons.