Probing a light Higgs in $ H \to hh \to b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ in Type-I 2HDM at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential to detect a light Higgs boson decaying into a pair of Higgs bosons in the $b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ channel at the LHC within the Type-I 2HDM, using detailed simulations and optimized analysis strategies.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed simulation-based analysis of the $H \to hh \to b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ channel in the Type-I 2HDM at the LHC, highlighting the potential for discovery at HL-LHC.

Findings

Sensitivity to the decay channel at Run 3 of LHC.

Potential for discovery at HL-LHC.

Optimized kinematic selection improves signal detection.

Abstract

In this study, we explore the potential to probe the process $gg \to H_{\text{SM-like}} \to hh \to b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), within the framework of the Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-I. After performing a detailed Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, we focus on isolating the signal from the Standard Model (SM) backgrounds. Our analysis employs a dedicated trigger choice and optimised kinematic selection to improve the signal sensitivity. We demonstrate some sensitivity to this decay channel at Run 3, while the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) can provide discovery evidence.