# Exclusion of heavy, broad resonances from precise measurements of WZ and VH final states at the LHC

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a new search strategy for heavy vector resonances in specific final states at the LHC, using recent Higgs data to extend limits on resonance widths and explore discovery potential across various decay channels.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel search method for heavy vector resonances involving multiple final states and uses a general vector-triplet model to evaluate discovery prospects and set new limits.

## Key findings

- Excesses are expected in all final states, with the 1-lepton channel being most sensitive.
- Current limits on resonance widths are extended up to 9% of the resonance mass.
- The proposed approach enhances the discovery potential for heavy vector resonances at the LHC.

## Abstract

A novel search for heavy vector resonances in the $H\rightarrow b\bar{b}$ and $Z\rightarrow b\bar{b}$ final states in association with a leptonically decaying $V$ ($Z$ or $W$) and $W$-only respectively, is proposed. It is argued that excesses with respect to the Standard Model prediction should be observed in all final states (0, 1 or 2 leptons), with the 1-lepton final state being the strongest. Since the relative strengths of these excesses depend on branching ratios and efficiencies, this is a clear signal for the presence of heavy resonances or their low mass tails. A general vector-triplet model is used to explore the discovery potential as a function of the resonance mass and width. Recent Higgs to $b\bar{b}$ observation data reported by the experiments ATLAS and CMS are used to test the model. Current limits are extended to resonance widths over mass as large as 9%.