Researchers from Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, have explored the potential for discovering a hypothetical particle called a vector-like top partner (T) within a specific theoretical framework known as the Type-II Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM-II). Their study focuses on the prospects of finding this particle at future high-energy muon-proton colliders, which could have significant implications for our understanding of particle physics and, by extension, the energy sector.
The team, led by Dr. Rachid Benbrik, investigated a particular decay process involving a charged Higgs boson (H+), a particle predicted by the 2HDM-II model. In this scenario, a muon and a proton collide, producing a neutrino, an anti-bottom quark, and a vector-like top partner. The top partner then decays into a charged Higgs boson and a bottom quark. The charged Higgs boson subsequently decays into a top quark and an anti-bottom quark, resulting in a final state with multiple b-jets and a charged lepton.
The researchers performed detailed simulations to assess the discovery prospects for this process at muon-proton colliders. They considered benchmark configurations with charged Higgs masses around 600-650 GeV and vector-like top masses ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 TeV. Their analysis showed that, with an integrated luminosity of 100 fb⁻¹, the discovery significance exceeds 5σ across several benchmark points, even when accounting for systematic uncertainties of up to 20%. At higher luminosities of 234 fb⁻¹, the sensitivity improves further, exceeding 10σ for the lightest benchmarks and remaining above 5σ even with 30% systematic uncertainties.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are indirect but potentially significant. A deeper understanding of fundamental particles and their interactions could lead to advancements in energy production and storage technologies. For instance, insights into the behavior of particles like the vector-like top partner and charged Higgs boson could inform the development of new materials or processes for nuclear energy or other advanced energy systems. Additionally, the high-energy physics research conducted at colliders often drives technological innovations that can be applied to various industries, including energy.
This research was published in the journal Physical Review D, a peer-reviewed publication that focuses on particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology. The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to explore the frontiers of particle physics and highlights the potential of future colliders in uncovering new phenomena that could have far-reaching implications for science and technology, including the energy sector.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.