Mapping $pp\to A\to ZH\to l^+l^-b\bar b$ and $pp\to H\to ZA\to l^+l^-b\bar b$ Current and Future Searches onto 2HDM Parameter Spaces

TL;DR

This paper recasts existing LHC search results for specific Higgs boson processes within the 2HDM framework, expanding the tested parameter space and projecting future sensitivities with increased data, but finds no new constraints beyond current limits.

Contribution

It demonstrates how to reinterpret LHC data for related Higgs decay channels in the 2HDM, extending the parameter space coverage and projecting future search sensitivities.

Findings

Expanded the tested parameter space for $m_H \,\geq\, m_A + m_Z$

Projected sensitivity improvements with full Run 3 data

Recast analysis confirms existing experimental limits

Abstract

By borrowing the results from a Large Hadron Collider (LHC) analysis performed with $36.1~\text{fb}^{-1}$ of Run 2 data intended to search for $A$ production followed by $ZH$ decay in turn yielding $l^+l^-b\bar b$ ($l=e,\mu$) final states in the context of the standard four Yukawa types of the 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM), we recast it in terms of sensitivity reaches for the similar process $pp\to H\to ZA\to l^+l^-b\bar b$. This simple exercise across the two processes, which is possible because the only kinematic difference between these are different widths for the Higgs bosons, in turn affecting minimally the efficiency of an experimental selection, enables us to expand the region of parameter space that can be tested to the case when $m_H\ge m_A+m_Z$. Furthermore, we extrapolate our results to full Run 3 data samples. We conclude that, while the high energy and luminosity stage of the LHC can afford one with increased sensitivity to the 2HDM in general, the recast analysis does not add anything to what already probed through the actual one.