Search for exotic Higgs boson decays H → AA with A → YY in events with a semi-merged topology in proton-proton collisions at s=13 TeV
Journal of High Energy Physics, vol.2026, no.7, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 2026 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/jhep07(2026)119
- Journal Name: Journal of High Energy Physics
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, INSPEC, MathSciNet, zbMATH, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: Beyond Standard Model, Hadron-Hadron Scattering, Higgs Physics, Photon Production
- Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
A search for exotic Higgs boson decays H → AA, with A → YY is presented, using events with a semi-merged topology. One of the hypothetical particles, A, is assumed to decay promptly into a semi-merged diphoton system reconstructed as a single photon-like object, while the other A decays into two resolved photons. The search is performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at s=13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. The data agree with the standard model background expectation. Upper limits are set on the product of the Higgs boson production cross section and the branching fraction, σ(pp → H) B(H → AA → 4γ), which range from 0.264 to 0.005 pb at 95% confidence level, for A masses in the range 1 < mA< 15 GeV. These limits are the most stringent to date in the 1–5 GeV mA range.