arXiv subjects

Kingman Cheung

Publications and source records attributed to Kingman Cheung.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

From LUX-ZEPLIN to Colliders: Probing Higgsino Dark Matter

The high-energy nuclear recoil event with recoil energy $E_R \approx 248\text{ keV}$ observed by the LZ collaboration provides an exciting hint toward a model with a $1.1\text{ TeV}$ Higgsino inelastic dark matter. Such a recoil energy requires a mass splitting of order ($\delta \approx 350\text{ keV}$) between the two nearly-degenerate neutral states. We show that within the framework of the MSSM, the model predicts a nearly-degenerate charged Higgsino state, chargino, whose mass splitting from the neutral states is of order $\mathcal{O}(350)$~MeV. The subsequent decays of such charginos once produced at colliders would lead to a sub-centimeter charged track or tracklet (with lifetime $\tau \approx 0.025\text{ ns}$) at the detector. We show that such a scenario is not constrained by the current LHC bounds, and could be tested at future high-energy colliders, including HL-LHC, 100 TeV $pp$ colliders, and muon colliders. The most critical requirement is how short a track or tracklet can be reconstructed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Measuring the trilinear Higgs self-coupling in Higgs boson pair production at multi-TeV muon colliders

The trilinear Higgs self-coupling determines the shape of the Higgs potential, and its measurement is a central goal of future colliders. We assess the sensitivity of multi-TeV muon colliders to the coupling modifier $\kappa_3$ in Higgs boson pair production via vector boson fusion, using the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ final state at $\sqrt{s}=3$ TeV with $1$ ab$^{-1}$ and at $10$ TeV with $10$ ab$^{-1}$. Events are analyzed in two complementary regions, a resolved region with four jets and a boosted region with two large-radius jets. To extract the signal from backgrounds a few orders of magnitude larger, we combine a supervised jet-to-Higgs pairing network based on the SPANet approach, topological data analysis of the event energy flow, and two dedicated classifiers, $D_{\rm HH}$ for the signal-to-background separation and $D_{\kappa_3}$ for the $\kappa_3$ shape information. The coupling is extracted from a two-dimensional likelihood fit to the distribution of the two classifier outputs. Combining the two regions, we obtain $0.80<\kappa_3<1.29$ at $3$ TeV and $0.96<\kappa_3<1.05$ at $10$ TeV at $68\%$ confidence level. The $10$ TeV determination reaches the few-percent level in this statistics-limited projection, which surpasses by a large amount the precision projected for the HL-LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Can a pseudoscalar with a mass of 365 GeV in the 2HDM explain the CMS $t\bar{t}$ excess?

We analyze the CMS-reported t tbar excess within conventional Two-Higgs-Doublet Models of Types I, II, X, and Y, using the best-fit pseudoscalar parameters MA = 365 GeV, GammaA over MA = 2 percent, and tan beta = 1.28. Applying theoretical and experimental constraints, including stability, unitarity, perturbativity, flavor constraints, and collider bounds, we find that perturbativity limits the charged and heavy neutral Higgs masses to below about 723 GeV. Flavor constraints exclude Types II and Y, while the remaining parameter space in Types I and X is ruled out by recent t tbar Z measurements from ATLAS and CMS. We conclude that conventional Two-Higgs-Doublet Models cannot explain the observed t tbar excess, although toponium effects in the background modeling may modify this conclusion. This contribution is based on the proceedings of the 18th International Workshop on Top Quark Physics (TOP2025).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Microlensing Black Hole Shadows-II: Constraining Primordial Black Hole Dark Matter using the photon rings of M87 and Sgr A*

The resolution of photon rings of Sgr~A$^*$ and M87 is the next milestone of upcoming EHT-like interferometries. We extend the formalism developed in our previous work~\cite{Verma:2023hes} to constrain primordial black hole (PBH) dark matter using microlensing-induced distortions of black hole shadows. Building upon the theoretical framework for microlensing of photon rings, we apply this methodology to both Sgr A* and M87, considering multiple PBH populations: (i) PBH dark matter spikes around central supermassive black holes, (ii) NFW halo contributions in the Milky Way and M87 galaxies, and (iii) foreground Milky Way PBH dark matter affecting M87* observations. The microlensing signal manifests as a time-dependent asymmetry and deformation of the photon ring, providing the most sensitive observable for lensing effects. We assess the detectability of these signatures with future EHT-like interferometers. Our analysis reveals that M87* provides the strongest constraints on PBH dark matter. We show that the absence of photon-ring asymmetries in observations with angular resolution of order $0.1\,\mu{\rm as}$ can constrain PBHs in the mass range $10^{-5}\,M_\odot \lesssim M_{\rm PBH} \lesssim 10^{6}\,M_\odot$, with maximal sensitivity near $M_{\rm PBH}\sim10^{3}\,M_\odot$, for PBH dark matter fractions as small as $f_{\rm PBH}\sim10^{-2}$.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Probing memory-burdened Primordial Black Holes with global 21 cm signal

We investigate the imprints of memory-burdened primordial black holes (PBH) on the global 21 cm signal during the cosmic dawn. Recent studies reopened the possibility of a mass window of PBHs as a compelling candidate for dark matter, particularly in low-mass regimes ($M_{\text {PBH}}< 10^{15}$ g) where conventional constraints from evaporation are being revisited in light of quantum gravitational effects. One such effect, the \textit{memory burden effect}, slows down black hole evaporation by incorporating the backreaction of radiation on the black hole microstates, substantially extending the lifetime of light PBHs and thus modifying their late-time emission spectra. This prolonged emission can dramatically alter the energy injection history in the early universe. By computing the modified energy injection rates into the intergalactic medium and incorporating them into the thermal and ionization evolution of neutral hydrogen, we obtain projected constraints on the fraction of dark matter. The bounds are obtained from the fact that these low mass PBHs, which were thought otherwise evaporated, can modify the absorption amplitude in the global 21 cm signal at redshift $z\approx17$. Considering the two viable scenarios of transition to the memory-burden phase: fast (or instantaneous) and slow (transition with a finite width), we show how the 21 cm bounds are sensitive to different mass ranges. For a broad transition with $\delta=10^{-2}$ we find that PBHs in the mass range $M_{\rm PBH}\simeq10^{8}$-$10^{13}$ g are excluded at the level of $f_{\rm PBH}\gtrsim10^{-8}$. In contrast, for a fast-transition case ($k=1$), the evaporation is suppressed so efficiently that no meaningful 21 cm constraint remains for $M_{\rm PBH}\gtrsim10^{7}$ g.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Searching for dark photons from dark-scalar decays at CEPC and FCC-ee

We investigate the sensitivity of proposed CEPC and FCC-ee with a center-of-mass energy of 240 GeV to long-lived dark photons heavier than 2 GeV that are pair-produced via the prompt decays of a light scalar mixed with the Standard-Model Higgs boson. We compute the production and decay rates of both the light scalar and the dark photon, and develop two search strategies targeting displaced vertices within the inner tracker of the main detectors. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we evaluate the signal acceptance and projected sensitivity for each strategy. Our results show that, for the scalar-Higgs mixing angle set at $10^{-2}$ just below the current upper limit, the proposed searches at CEPC and FCC-ee can probe dark-photon kinetic-mixing parameter several orders of magnitude below existing bounds, for dark photons lighter than half the dark-scalar mass.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Searching for charged Higgs bosons via $e^+ e^- \to H^\pm W^\mp S$ at the ILC

We investigate the phenomenology of the charged Higgs boson at the International Linear Collider (ILC) within the framework of the type-X Two-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM), where a light charged Higgs boson, with a mass around 200 GeV or even smaller than top quark mass, is still being consistent with flavor physics data as well as with the colliders experimental data. In the theoretically and experimentally allowed parameter space, the $e^+ e^- \to H^\pm W^\mp S$ (with $S = H, A$) production processes can yield signatures with event rates larger than those from $e^+ e^- \to H^+ H^-$ and offer sensitivity to the Higgs mixing parameter $\sin(\beta-\alpha)$. We consider the bosonic $H^\pm \to W^\pm S$ decays, where the neutral scalar $S$ further decays into a pair of tau leptons. We show, through a detector-level Monte Carlo analysis, that the resulting $[\tau\tau][\tau\tau] WW$ final state could be seen at the ILC with at least 500 GeV center-of-mass energy and 500 fb$^{-1}$ of luminosity.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

New Physics Search at the CEPC: a General Perspective

The Circular Electron-Positron Collider (CEPC), a proposed next-generation Higgs factory, provides new opportunities to explore physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). With its clean electron-positron collision environment and the ability to collect large samples of Higgs, W, and Z bosons, the CEPC enables precision measurements and searches for new physics. This white paper outlines the CEPC's discovery potential, including studies of exotic decays of the Higgs, Z, and top quarks, dark matter and dark sector phenomena, long-lived particles, supersymmetry, and neutrino-related signatures. Advanced detector technologies and reconstruction techniques, such as one-to-one correspondence reconstruction and jet origin identification, significantly improve sensitivity to rare and weakly interacting processes. The CEPC is particularly well suited to probe the electroweak phase transition and test models of electroweak baryogenesis and dark sector interactions. In addition, global fit analyses highlight the CEPC's complementary role in constraining a wide range of new physics scenarios. These features position the CEPC as a powerful tool for exploring the next frontier in fundamental particle physics in the post-Higgs discovery era.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Searching for Dark Photon Tridents Through Primordial Black Hole Signatures

The detection of gamma-ray signals from primordial black holes (PBHs) could provide compelling evidence for their role as a dark matter candidate, particularly through the observation of their Hawking radiation. Future gamma-ray observatories, such as e-ASTROGAM, and the next-generation telescopes, are poised to explore this possibility by measuring both Standard Model (SM) and beyond-the-SM particle emissions. A particularly promising avenue involves production of dark photons by PBHs, which is a hypothetical particle that decays into photons. In this work, we investigate the trident decay of dark photons with mass $m_{A'}\leq 1$ MeV focusing on their primary emission from asteroid-mass PBHs. We assume that the dark photons produced via Hawking radiation decay into photons well before reaching Earth, thereby enhancing the detectable gamma-ray flux. The energy spectrum of the photons decaying from the dark photons is distinct from that of direct Hawking-radiated photons due to higher degree of freedom, leading to observable modifications in the gamma-ray signal. Using the asteroid-mass PBHs as a case study, we demonstrate that future gamma-ray missions could detect dark-photon signatures and distinguish them from conventional Hawking radiation. This approach enables the exploration of previously inaccessible parameter spaces in dark photon mass $m_{A'}\leq 1$ MeV and their coupling to photons, offering a viable avenue to uncover the properties of dark sectors and the nature of asteroid-mass PBHs.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Probing a Heavy Dark $Z$ Boson at Multi-TeV Muon Colliders: Leveraging the Optimized Recoil Mass Technique

We investigate the discovery potential of multi-TeV muon colliders for a heavy dark $Z$ boson ($Z_{\rm D}$) with a mass above 1 TeV through the associated production channel $\mu^+\mu^- \to Z_{\rm D}\gamma$. This process enables precise $M_{Z_{\rm D}}$ reconstruction using the photon recoil mass ($m_{\rm recoil}$). Focusing on the $Z_{\rm D} \to jjX$ and $Z_{\rm D} \to e^+e^-$ decay modes, we present strategies for achieving high sensitivity to the kinetic mixing parameter $\varepsilon$ at 3, 6, and 10 TeV muon colliders with integrated luminosities of 1, 4, and 10 ab$^{-1}$ respectively, assuming $Z_{\rm D}$ decays exclusively into Standard Model particles. A key innovation is our optimized implementation of $M_{Z_{\rm D}}$-dependent cuts on $m_{\rm recoil}$, which accounts for the energy-dependent detector response. For heavier $Z_{\rm D}$, the associated photon becomes less energetic, leading to better photon energy resolution and thus enabling more stringent $m_{\rm recoil}$ cuts. This approach enhances $\varepsilon$ sensitivity for heavier $Z_{\rm D}$. Conversely, for lighter $Z_{\rm D}$, the lower-energy electron pair from $Z_{\rm D} \to e^+e^-$ enables tighter cuts on the invariant mass of the electron pair ($m_{ee}$), providing better sensitivity in the lighter mass regime. Combining these complementary $m_{\rm recoil}$- and $m_{ee}$-based selections with both $jjX$ and $e^+e^-$ channels, we achieve $\varepsilon$ sensitivity down to $O\left(10^{-3}\right)$ as $M_{Z_{\rm D}}$ approaches $\sqrt{s}$, substantially surpassing the reach of a 100 TeV proton-proton collider. Even if $Z_{\rm D}$ decays into dark-sector particles, the recoil mass method remains effective, establishing muon colliders as powerful facilities for exploring heavy dark sectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Unveiling the Invisible: ALPs and Sterile Neutrinos at the LHC and HL-LHC

We investigate the potential of using the signature of mono-Higgs plus large missing energies to constrain on two new physics models, namely the model of an axion-like particle (ALP) and the model of sterile neutrinos. We focus on the Higgs-ALP interactions starting at dimension-six and the Higgs-sterile neutrino interactions starting at dimension-five, via the processes $pp \to h a a$ for ALP production and $pp \to h N N$ for sterile neutrinos at the LHC and High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), followed by the Higgs decay $h \to b \bar{b}$. We establish bounds on the ALP-Higgs coupling $\frac{C_{aH}}{\Lambda^2}$ and sterile neutrino-Higgs coupling $\frac{\lambda_3}{M_*}$, respectively, for ALP and sterile-neutrino mass ranging from 1 to 60 GeV, using the recent ATLAS data on mono-Higgs plus missing energies at the LHC $(\sqrt{s} = 13\;{\rm TeV}\; {\rm and}\; \mathcal{L} = 139\; {\rm fb}^{-1})$. The most stringent constraint occurs in the missing transverse energy $M_{ET}$ range $200 < M_{ET} \leq 350$ GeV. We also estimate the sensitivities that we can achieve at the HL-LHC ($\sqrt{s} = 14$ TeV and $\mathcal{L} = 3000$ fb$^{-1}$). We obtain improved sensitivities across various missing energy regions. The ALP model exhibits better sensitivities, particularly at lower mass range, compared to the sterile neutrino model, which shows weaker sensitivities across similar mass and energy ranges. Our results underscore the potential of the mono-Higgs signature as a robust probe for physics beyond the Standard Model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Can a pseudoscalar with a mass of 365 GeV in two-Higgs-doublet models explain the CMS $t\bar{t}$ excess?

We investigate the recently reported $t\bar{t}$ excess by the CMS Collaboration within the framework of conventional Two-Higgs-Doublet Models (2HDMs). Considering all four types (I, II, X, and Y), we perform a comprehensive parameter space scan using the best-fit values for a pseudoscalar boson $A$: $M_A = 365$ GeV, $\Gamma_A/M_A = 2\%$, and $\tan\beta = 1.28$. Theoretical requirements and experimental constraints are systematically applied, including conditions from a bounded-below scalar potential, vacuum stability, unitarity, perturbativity, Flavor-Changing Neutral Currents (FCNCs), and direct searches at high-energy colliders. Our analysis shows that perturbativity imposes upper bounds of around 723 GeV on $M_{H^\pm}$ and $M_H$. FCNC constraints exclude all viable parameter space in Types II and Y, while a small region persists in Types I and X, but this region is ultimately ruled out by recent $t\bar{t} Z$ measurements by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations at the LHC. We conclude that conventional 2HDMs alone cannot accommodate a pseudoscalar boson that explains the observed $t\bar{t}$ excess within viable parameter space. However, incorporating toponium effects in the background fit could potentially alter this conclusion.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Associated charged Higgs production within the 2HDM: $e^-e^+$ versus $\mu^-\mu^+$ colliders

Our goal is to investigate the charged Higgs phenomenology in the framework of 2HDM at the upcoming $e^+e^-$ and muon colliders. We are primarily concerned with the associated production processes with a fermion pair: $\ell^+ \ell^- \to \tau^+ \nu_{\tau }H^-$ and $\ell^+ \ell^- \to t \bar{b} H^-$, as well as with the W boson and a neutral Higgs boson: $\ell^+ \ell^- \to W^\pm H^\mp S$ ($S=h,\,H,\, A$) and $\ell^+ \ell^- \to W^\pm H^\mp Z$. We first update the results for $e^+e^- \to \{ \tau^+ \nu_{\tau }H^-\ , \ t \bar{b} H^-\}$ and then discuss our findings for $e^+e^- \to \{ W^\pm H^\mp S\}$ for various center of mass energies 500 GeV, 1 TeV, 1.5 TeV and 3 TeV. In the case of muon collider, we show that the new s-channel and t-channel diagrams can increase the cross sections by virtue of their Yukawa couplings. We systematically compare our results for the muon collider with those obtained at the International Linear (ILC) and Compact Linear (CLIC) colliders. We select benchmark points and conduct signal-background analyses, incorporating detector simulations. For a 3 TeV muon collider, our results show an exclusion region at the 2$\sigma$ level and a discovery region at the 5$\sigma$ level.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Exploring interference effects between two ALP effective operators at the LHC

We observe that most studies of axion-like particle (ALP) production channels at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) focus on a single type of ALP operator for each process in the effective field theory framework. In this work, we propose an alternative approach that considers two or more types of relevant ALP effective operators together in some specific ALP production channels and study their interference effects. Using the $p p\rightarrow t j a$ process with $a\rightarrow\gamma\gamma$ as an example, we show that this approach allows us to constrain the ALP interactions with both the $W$ boson and the top quark, as well as their interference in a single process. For the final state with two isolated photons and a top quark decaying semi-leptonically, we predict that the future bounds on the ALP decay constant can reach around $f_a \sim 10\;(20) $ TeV for $25$ GeV $< M_a < 100$ GeV at the LHC with 300 (3000) fb$^{1}$ luminosity.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Effects of Superradiance in Active Galactic Nuclei

A supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the core of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) provides room for the elusive ultra-light scalar particles (ULSP) to be produced through a phenomenon called \textit{superradiance}. This phenomenon produces a cloud of scalar particles around the black hole by draining its spin angular momentum. In this work, we present a study of the superradiant instability due to a scalar field in the vicinity of the central SMBH in an AGN. We begin by showing that the time-evolution of the gravitational coupling $\alpha$ in a realistic ambiance created by the accretion disk around the SMBH in AGN leads to interesting consequences such as the amplified growth of the scalar cloud, enhancement of the gravitational wave emission rate, and appearance of higher modes of superradiance within the age of the Universe. We then explore the consequence of superradiance on the characteristics of the AGN. Using the Novikov-Thorne model for an accretion disk, we divide the full spectrum into three wavelength bands- X-ray ($10^{-4}-10^{-2}~\mu$m), UV (0.010-0.4~$\mu$m), and Vis-IR (0.4-100~$\mu$m) and observe sudden drops in the time-variations of the luminosities across these bands and Eddington ratio ($f_{\textrm{Edd}}$) with a characteristic timescale of superradiance. Using a uniform distribution of spin and mass of the SMBHs in AGNs, we demonstrate the appearance of depleted regions and accumulations along the boundaries of these regions in the planes of different band-luminosities and $f_{\textrm{Edd}}$. Finally, we discuss some possible signatures of superradiance that can be drawn from the observed time-variation of the AGN luminosities.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Quark flavor violation and axion-like particles from top-quark decays at the LHC

We study axion-like particles (ALPs) with quark-flavor-violating couplings at the LHC. Specifically, we focus on the theoretical scenario with ALP-top-up and ALP-top-charm interactions, in addition to the more common quark-flavor-diagonal couplings. The ALPs can thus originate from decays of top quarks which are pair produced in large numbers at the LHC, and then decay to jets. If these couplings to the quarks are tiny and the ALPs have $\mathcal{O}(10)$ GeV masses, they are long-lived, leading to signatures of displaced vertex plus multiple jets, which have the advantage of suppression of background events at the LHC. We recast a recent ATLAS search for the same signature and reinterpret the results in terms of bounds on the long-lived ALP in our theoretical scenario. We find that the LHC with the full Run 2 dataset can place stringent limits, while at the future high-luminosity LHC with 3 ab$^{-1}$ integrated luminosity stronger sensitivities are expected.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Probing the Gauge-boson Couplings of Axion-like Particle at the LHC and High-Luminosity LHC

In this work, we calculate the sensitivities on the gauge-boson couplings $g_{aZZ}$, $g_{aZ\gamma}$, and $g_{aWW}$ of an axion-like particle (ALP) that one can achieve at the LHC with $\sqrt{s}=14$ TeV and integrated luminosities of 300 fb$^{-1}$ (current run) and 3000 fb$^{-1}$ (High-Luminosity LHC). We focus on the associated production processes $pp\to Za \to (l^+l^-)(\gamma\gamma)$ and $pp\to W^\pm a \to (l^\pm \nu)(\gamma\gamma)$. We show that better sensitivities on these gauge couplings can be achieved at the LHC for $M_a = 1-100$ GeV, down to the level of $10^{-4}\,{\rm GeV}^{-1}$. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the significance of the investigated channels in constraining the ALP couplings at the LHC, offering valuable insights for future experiments dedicated to ALP detection.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Interpretation of excess in $H \to Z \gamma$ using a light axion-like particle

We interpret the recent excess in a rare decay of the Higgs boson, $H\to Z\gamma$, using a light axion-like particle (ALP) in the massrange $0.05 - 0.1$ GeV.The dominant decay of such a light ALP is into a pair of collimated photons, whose decay is required to happen before reaching the ECAL detector, such that it mimics a single photon in the detector. It can explain the excess with a coupling $C^{\rm eff}_{aZH} / \Lambda \sim 4 \times 10^{-5}\;{\rm GeV}^{-1}$, while the decay of the ALP before reaching the ECAL requires the diphoton coupling $C^{\rm eff}_{\gamma\gamma}/ \Lambda \ge 0.35 \,{\rm TeV}^{-1} (0.1\,{\rm eV}/m_a)^2$. A potential test would be the rare decay of the $Z$ boson $Z \to a H^* \to a (b \bar b)$ at the Tera-$Z$ option of the future FCC and CEPC. However, it has a branching ratio of only $O(10^{-12})$, and thus barely testable. The production cross section for $pp \to Z^* \to a H$ via the same coupling $C^{\rm eff}_{aZH} / \Lambda$ at the LHC is too small for detection.

hep-ph↗