Two Higgs doublets, effective interactions and a strong first-order electroweak phase transition

Anisha, , Biermann, L., Englert, C. and Mühlleitner, M. (2022) Two Higgs doublets, effective interactions and a strong first-order electroweak phase transition. Journal of High Energy Physics, 2022(8), 91. (doi: 10.1007/JHEP08(2022)091)

Abstract

It is well-known that type II two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs) can struggle to facilitate a strong first-order electroweak phase transition in the early universe whilst remaining theoretically appealing scenarios for many reasons. We analyse this apparent shortfall from the perspective of additional new physics. Starting from a consistent dimension-6 effective field theory Higgs potential extension, we identify the Higgs potential extensions that provide the necessary additional contributions required to achieve a strong first-order electroweak phase transition and trace their phenomenological implications for the Large Hadron Collider. In passing, we critically assess the reliability of the dimension-6 approximation depending on the expected 2HDM phenomenology. In particular, we focus on the role of Higgs pair production (resonant and non-resonant) and interference effects expected in top final states, which are the prime candidates of 2HDM exotics discoveries.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant RPG-2021-031. C.E. is supported by the U.K. Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) under grant ST/T000945/1 and the Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology Associateship Scheme. M.M. is supported by the BMBF-Project 05H21VKCCA.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Anisha, Dr Anisha and Englert, Professor Christoph
• Authors: Anisha, , Biermann, L., Englert, C., and Mühlleitner, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Journal of High Energy Physics
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1126-6708
• ISSN (Online): 1029-8479
• Published Online: 05 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of High Energy Physics 2022(8): 91
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
311961		BSM interference effects in Higgs and Top-associated final states.	Christoph Englert	Leverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)	RPG-2021-031	P&S - Physics & Astronomy
306883		Research in Particle Physics Theory - Phenomenology from lattice QCD and collider physics	Christine Davies	Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)	ST/T000945/1	P&S - Physics & Astronomy