$pp\to A\to Zh$ and the wrong-sign limit of the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the significance of specific decay channels in the wrong-sign limit of the 2HDM type II, showing they can dominate and be tested at the LHC, impacting the remaining parameter space and explaining some experimental excesses.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of $A o Zh$ and $H o VV$ decays in the wrong-sign limit of 2HDM type II, providing new insights into their dominance and experimental implications.

Findings

Large cross sections for $pp o A o Zh$ and $pp o H o VV$ are achievable and constrained by LHC data.

The wrong-sign limit can explain mild excesses observed in ATLAS $bar b o A o Zh$ analysis.

Predictions for light Higgs couplings offer new testable signatures in the model.

Abstract

We point out the importance of the decay channels $A\to Zh$ and $H\to VV$ in the wrong-sign limit of the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) of type II. They can be the dominant decay modes at moderate values of $\tan\beta$, even if the (pseudo)scalar mass is above the threshold where the decay into a pair of top quarks is kinematically open. Accordingly, large cross sections $pp\to A\to Zh$ and $pp\to H\to VV$ are obtained and currently probed by the LHC experiments, yielding conclusive statements about the remaining parameter space of the wrong-sign limit. In addition, mild excesses - as recently found in the ATLAS analysis $b\bar b \to A\to Zh$ - could be explained. The wrong-sign limit makes other important testable predictions for the light Higgs boson couplings.