Search for exotic Higgs boson decays H $\to$$\mathcal{AA}$ with $\mathcal{AA}$$\to$$γγ$ in events with a semi-merged topology in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The CMS collaboration
CMS-EXO-24-025, 2026.

Abstract (data abstract)
A search for exotic Higgs boson decays $\mathrm{H} \to \mathcal{A} \mathcal{A}$, with $\mathcal{A} \to \gamma \gamma$ is presented, using events with a semi-merged topology. One of the hypothetical particles, $\mathcal{A}$, is assumed to decay promptly into a semi-merged diphoton system reconstructed as a single photon-like object, while the other $\mathcal{A}$ decays into two resolved photons. The search is performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ 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, $\sigma(\mathrm{pp} \to \mathrm{H})\,\mathcal{B}( \mathrm{H} \to \mathcal{A} \mathcal{A} \to 4\gamma)$, which range from 0.264 to 0.005$\,\mathrm{pb}$ at 95% confidence level, for $\mathcal{A}$ masses in the range $1 < m_\mathcal{A} < 15$ GeV. These limits are the most stringent to date in the 1--5 GeV $m_\mathcal{A}$ range.

  • Figure 10 (upper): Unrolled 2D $m_{A}$ distribution

    Figure 10 (top panel)

    10.17182/hepdata.166011.v1/t1

    The 2D $m_A$ spectra in the final signal region. The unrolled 2D $m_A$ distribution made by scanning along bins of...

  • Figure 10 (lower left): $m_{A1}$ projection

    Figure 10 (lower left panel)

    10.17182/hepdata.166011.v1/t2

    1D projections on the $m_{A1}$ axis of the 2D $m_A$ distribution in the final signal region. The data distributions (black...

  • Figure 10 (lower right): $m_{A2}$ projection

    Figure 10 (lower right panel)

    10.17182/hepdata.166011.v1/t3

    1D projections on the $m_{A2}$ axis of the 2D $m_A$ distribution in the final signal region. The data distributions (black...

  • Figure 11: Observed and expected limits

    Figure 11

    10.17182/hepdata.166011.v1/t4

    Observed (solid black line) and median expected (dashed black line) upper limits at 95% CL on the signal cross section...

  • Signal Cutflow

    Auxiliary cutflow table

    10.17182/hepdata.166011.v1/t5

    Relative cutflow fractions for representative signal samples, normalized to the number of events before any selection (All events = 1.0)....

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