LHC signals of the next-to-lightest scalar Higgs state of the NMSSM in the $ 4\tau$ decay channel

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential to discover the next-to-lightest Higgs boson in the NMSSM at the LHC through its decay into four tau leptons, highlighting a promising detection channel for masses up to 250 GeV.

Contribution

It identifies the $4\tau$ decay channel of the $h_2$ as a viable method for discovering the NMSSM Higgs, emphasizing the role of a light $a_1$ in distinguishing NMSSM from MSSM.

Findings

$h_2$ can be discovered via the $4\tau$ channel up to 250 GeV.

The $a_1$ is typically light, serving as a signature of NMSSM.

The $Za_1$ channel is not promising for $h_2$ discovery.

Abstract

We study the $a_1a_1$ and $Za_1$ decay channels of the next-to-lightest CP-even Higgs boson $h_2$ of the NMSSM at the LHC, where the $h_2$ is produced in gluon fusion. It is found that while the $h_2$ discovery is impossible through the latter channel, the former one in the $ 4\tau$ final state is a promising channel to discover the $h_2$ with masses up to around 250 GeV at the LHC. Such a discovery of the $h_2$ is mostly accompanied with a light $a_1$, which is a clear evidence for distinguishing the NMSSM from the MSSM since such a light $a_1$ is impossible in the MSSM.