arXiv subjects

Santosh Kumar Rai

Publications and source records attributed to Santosh Kumar Rai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Investigating the leptonic couplings of doubly charged scalars at the muon collider

We study the lepton flavour conserving and violating couplings of a doubly charged scalar at a 3 TeV muon collider. Using a model independent Lagrangian, we analyse the electron electron, muon muon, and tau tau final states mediated by the doubly charged scalar to probe individual couplings to mu e, mu mu, and mu tau. We find that for a doubly charged scalar of mass greater than 1 TeV and order one couplings, we achieve high signal significance in these channels. We delineate the collider s sensitivity in the mass vs coupling plane, highlighting the extensive reach of the muon collider in probing these couplings far beyond the current experimental limits. We also propose an angular distribution variable to discriminate the exchange of a doubly charged scalar from that of a neutral scalar, which give identical signals.

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arXiv2026

LHC Signatures of Neutral Scalar Cascades in the $Z_3$ symmetric 3HDM

Extending the scalar sector is one of the standard approaches to exploring scenarios beyond the Standard Model. In this work, we examine the collider phenomenology of the Three Higgs Doublet Model (3HDM) in the Type-Z or the democratic Yukawa interaction setup at the LHC. The scalar spectrum of the 3HDM includes three CP-even scalars, two CP-odd scalars, and four charged Higgs bosons. Focusing on cascade decay topologies, we investigate the collider signatures of the neutral scalars through the process $pp \rightarrow SV$, where $S$ is a neutral scalar and $V$ is a vector boson. We perform a cross-section analysis across multiple benchmark points that satisfy both theoretical and experimental constraints, considering two mass hierarchy scenarios: (i) Regular Hierarchy, where the SM-like Higgs is the lightest CP-even scalar, and (ii) Medial Hierarchy, featuring one Higgs boson lighter than the SM Higgs and one heavier. For both scenarios, we study the specific process $pp \rightarrow A \rightarrow HZ \rightarrow b \bar{b} l^+l^-$, performing a cut and count analysis at $\sqrt{s}=14$ TeV. Our results demonstrate that while the Medial Hierarchy scenario allows discovery-level sensitivity for both the CP-even and CP-odd scalars, achieving the same sensitivity in the Regular Hierarchy setup necessitates substantially higher luminosity.

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arXiv2026

Vector Dark Matter in a $U(1)_X$ extended 2HDM

We investigate the possibility of having a vector boson dark matter in a $U(1)_X$ extended two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM) setup. The gauge boson gains mass when a SM singlet complex scalar, which is charged under the dark $U(1)_X$ symmetry, acquires vacuum expectation value (\textit{vev}). This scalar acts as the connection between the SM sector and DM via the Higgs portal. An additional exact charge conjugation symmetry inhibits the mixing of this gauge boson with the photon, thereby confirming the stability of DM. On the other hand, 2HDM with Type I $Z_2$ restriction can offer a non-standard Higgs in the lighter mass range. This freedom allows us to accommodate dark matter mass in the (40-60) GeV regime where the direct detection constraints are strongest. We study the dark matter phenomenology of such a model while taking care of all possible theoretical and experimental constraints.

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arXiv2025

Exploring Fermionic Dark Matter in the Presence of Scalar Leptoquarks

We study an extension of the vector-like lepton dark matter model by introducing scalar leptoquarks that modify the properties of the vector-like lepton dark matter candidate, helping it evade stringent direct detection constraints. In the minimal setup, the neutral component of a pure $SU(2)$ doublet vector-like lepton fails to simultaneously account for the observed relic abundance while remaining consistent with current direct detection limits. We show that the addition of the scalar leptoquarks can induce corrections to the mass of the vector-like lepton dark matter, splitting it into two non-degenerate pseudo-Dirac states. This mass splitting can help evade the direct detection bounds naturally. In addition, the extended setup also opens up a larger parameter space of the model that can accommodate the correct relic density.

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arXiv2025

Constraining the 3HDM Parameter Space using Active Learning

One of the standard ways to study scenarios beyond the Standard Model involves extending the Higgs Sector. This work examines the Three Higgs Doublet Model (3HDM) in a Type-Z or democratic setup, where each Higgs doublet couples exclusively to a specific type of fermion. The particle spectrum of the 3HDM includes four charged Higgs bosons, two CP-odd scalars, and three CP-even scalars. This work investigates the allowed mass and coupling parameter space in the Type-Z 3HDM after imposing all theoretical and experimental constraints. We extract the allowed parameter space under three distinct alignment-limit conditions or mass hierarchies leveraging machine learning techniques. Specifically, we analyze scenarios where the 125 GeV Higgs is the lightest, an intermediary, or the heaviest CP-even Higgs boson. Our findings indicate that while a single lighter CP-even Higgs boson below 125 GeV still remains a possibility, the presence of two lighter Higgses is ruled out.

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arXiv2025

Tracing Neutrino Non-Standard Interactions through Charged Lepton Collisions

Neutrino non-standard interactions (NSI) play a crucial role in neutrino oscillations and can provide valuable insights for constructing models of neutrino masses and mixing. While NSI have been widely explored through oscillation and scattering experiments, as well as in cosmological and astrophysical contexts, we focus on probing them at future lepton colliders like the ILC, CLIC, and FCC-$ee$. If NSI arise from heavy mediators above the electroweak scale, these colliders can offer superior sensitivity compared to neutrino experiments across a broad mass range. A notable outcome is that lepton collider data can help resolve parameter degeneracies seen in oscillation studies. We find that large NSI scenarios, proposed to address the tension between T2K and NO$ν$A results, can be completely tested at such collider facilities. We also explore the potential of future colliders like the FCC to probe leptonic NSI using lepton PDFs in proton-proton collisions.

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arXiv2025

Revisiting the Inert Scalar Dark Matter with Vector-like Quarks

The inert doublet model (IDM), a minimal extension of the Standard Model (SM), provides a scalar dark matter (DM) candidate that belongs to the additional Higgs doublet. The model faces challenges in achieving the correct relic abundance for compressed spectra and DM masses in the high-mass range. In this work we introduce a $Z_2$-odd singlet vector-like quark (VLQ) into the IDM framework that helps us alleviate these issues and provide new channels of contributions to the relic abundance. The VLQ not only enhances the DM relic abundance for masses above $~550$ GeV but also eases constraints from direct detection experiments by enabling smaller couplings between the inert scalars and the SM Higgs. We analyze the impact of the VLQ on DM phenomenology, including relic density, direct and indirect detection constraints. The results demonstrate that the extended IDM framework not only resolves existing limitations in the compressed spectrum but also offers exciting prospects for detection in current and future collider experiments.

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arXiv2025

Multicomponent Dark Matter with Collider Implications

The present work aims to study an extension of the Standard Model (SM) that addresses the prominent SM shortcomings, i.e., can explain the neutrino mass, the dark matter (DM) content, and the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe. The model introduces the possibility of a multicomponent DM scenario leading to distinctive signals at colliders. The SM is extended by a ``dark" $SU(2)_{D}$ gauge symmetry and new fermions and scalar doublets, charged only under $SU(2)_{D}$, that provide candidates for a multicomponent DM. Previously, we have considered in this model the asymmetric DM scenario, while in the present work, we explore the symmetric DM case. We focus on the parameter region where the dark fermion DM annihilates dominantly into the additional dark gauge bosons and the ``inert" doublet DM annihilates to SM states via the SM Higgs resonance. This particular choice of doublet mass ensures that the heavier BSM Higgs always has one decay mode open to DM leading to the possibility of detecting such particles at the LHC, in the missing energy plus dijet ($\cancel{E}_{T}+2j$) final states. We also discuss the prospects for detecting DM through direct and indirect detection experiments and via Long-Lived-Particle searches. Finally, we show that, as typical of other WIMP models, for low DM mass, signals can be expected in future collider experiments, but for the higher mass range above $500$ GeV we have to rely solely on direct detection experiments. Both types of experiments will be essential to fully cover the allowed parameter space.

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arXiv2025

Signals for a 2HDM with $Z'$ at the LHC

We consider a neutrinophilic $U(1)$ extension of the Standard Model (SM) under which only a second Higgs doublet and SM singlet scalars and fermions are charged. The new gauge boson $Z'$ couples to SM minimally, generated by $Z-Z'$ mixing. As the $Z'$ is very weakly coupled, it can mostly be produced through the decay of the scalars from the second Higgs doublet at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We discuss the scalar sector of the model in detail and consider decay modes such as $(H^{\pm} \to W^\pm Z', h_2 \to VV, (V = W^\pm, Z, Z'), A_2 \to h_1 Z'(Z))$ that lead to multilepton signals at the LHC from the pair production of the scalars. We analyze the signal with a representative value of the $Z'$ mass to show the discovery potential of the 2HDM scalars at the LHC.

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arXiv2024

Discovering an invisible Z' at the muon collider

We show in this letter how a heavy $(\mathcal{O}(TeV))$ invisible $Z'$ gauge boson that will practically be out of reach of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), can be discovered at the future muon collider. The new force carrier has a relatively stronger coupling with the beyond standard model (BSM) sector, while its interaction with the SM fields is much weaker. This weaker coupling is induced through mixing mechanisms, specifically via gauge kinetic mixing and the $Z-Z'$ mixing. We consider a scenario where the new gauge boson decays mostly to charge-neutral long-lived particles and/or dark matter (DM). We show how producing and detecting this heavier invisible $Z'$, that will be beyond the reach of even the very high luminosity LHC, becomes possible if it is produced in association with an energetic photon at the future muon collider. The on-shell production of the $Z'$ will lead to a peak in the photon energy distribution, following the so-called radiative return phenomena and can lead to the accurate determination of the $Z'$ mass and its interaction with SM particles.

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arXiv2024

A Scotogenic model with U(1) symmetry and a scalar dark matter

We study a scotogenic model augmented with an additional U(1) gauge and a discrete Z2 symmetry. The lightest Z2-odd particle in our model becomes the dark matter (DM) candidate while tiny neutrino masses are realized at one loop. We explore the parameter space of the model for which the DM relic density is satisfied, and the correct low-energy neutrino observables are reproduced. The extended gauge symmetry includes beyond Standard Model (SM) particle spectrum consisting of vector-like fermions and scalars. We also highlight possible collider signatures of these particles at the LHC.

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arXiv2024

Improving Heavy Dijet Resonance Searches Using Jet Substructure at the LHC

The search for new physics at high energy accelerators has been at the crossroads with very little hint of signals suggesting otherwise. The challenges at a hadronic machine such as the LHC is compounded by the fact that final states are swamped with jets which one needs to understand and unravel. A positive step in this direction would be to separate the jets in terms of their gluonic and quark identities, much in a similar spirit of distinguishing heavy quark jets from light quark jets that has helped in improving searches for both neutral and charged Higgs bosons at the LHC. In this work, we utilise this information using the jet substructure techniques to comment on possible improvements in sensitivity as well as discrimination of new resonances in the all hadronic mode that would be crucial in pinning down new physics signals at HL-LHC, HE-LHC and any future 100 TeV hadron collider.

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arXiv2024

Heavy Neutrino as Dark Matter in a Neutrinophilic U(1) Model

We study the prospect of heavy singlet neutrinos as a dark matter (DM) candidate within a neutrinophilic U(1) model, where the Standard Model (SM) is extended with a U(1) gauge symmetry, and neutrino mass and oscillation parameters are explained through an inverse see-saw mechanism. The lightest of the heavy neutrinos plays the role of the DM while the newly introduced scalars and the extra gauge boson Z' act as mediators between the dark sector and the SM sector. We show the range of model parameters where this DM candidate can be accommodated in the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) or Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) scenario. The observed DM relic density is achieved via the new gauge boson and singlet scalar portals in the WIMP scenario whereas within the FIMP scenario, these two particles assume a distinct yet pivotal role in generating the observed relic density of dark matter.

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arXiv2024

Search For a Leptoquark and Vector-like Lepton in a Muon Collider

The proposal for a high-energy muon collider offers many opportunities in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). The collider by construction is likely to be more sensitive to the muon-philic models, primarily motivated by the BSM explanation of muon $(g-2)$ excess and quark flavor anomalies. In this work, we explore the potential of the proposed muon collider in the context of such models and focus on one such model that extends the Standard Model (SM) with a leptoquark, a vector-like lepton, and a real scalar. In this model, we propose searches for TeV scale leptoquarks in $2μ+2b+mET$ channel. Notably, the leptoquark can be produced singly at the muon collider with a large cross-section. We have shown that a significant signal in this channel can be detected at a 3~TeV muon collider even with an integrated luminosity as low as $\sim 10$~fb$^{-1}$

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arXiv2024

Fatjet signatures of heavy neutrinos and heavy leptons in a left-right model with universal seesaw at the HL-LHC

We perform a collider search for fatjet signals originating from boosted heavy neutral and charged leptons with masses between a few hundred GeV to a TeV. These heavy leptons originate from the decay of heavy gauge bosons with masses above 4 TeV in a left-right symmetric extension of the Standard Model (SM), which considers a universal seesaw mechanism for the generation of all the SM fermion masses. The fatjet signals arise naturally in this model due to the presence of heavy seesaw partners of the SM fermions which decay to SM gauge bosons carrying large boosts. We employ substructure based variables lepton sub-jet fraction ($LSF$) and lepton mass drop ($LMD$) together with kinematic variables of fatjets to look for fatjet signals associated with non-isolated leptons. These variables help in reducing the SM backgrounds while retaining enough statistics for signal events, which leads to a robust discovery potential at the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC).

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arXiv2023

Distinguishing nonstandard scalar and fermionic charged particles at future $e^+e^-$ collider

We investigate the possibility to identify the nature of spin of exotic charged particles at the future $e^+e^-$ collider in $l^\pm+2j+MET$ final state choosing IDM and MSSM as examples for the new physics models with scalar and fermionic exotic charged particles, respectively. We choose four benchmarks for the mass parameters for a significant deviation from the SM $W^+W^-$ background. We find that the $\cosθ$ of $W$ boson constructed from $jj$ pair and lepton have the potential to identify the MSSM signal compared to the IDM signal in longitudinally polarized initial beams. A more robust comparison is seen in the shape of the azimuthal angle of the $W$ boson and charged lepton, which can identify the IDM signal further if the beams are transversely polarized.

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arXiv2023

Search for a leptophobic doubly charged Higgs in same-sign four-lepton and six-lepton signatures in a left-right symmetric model

We investigate the possibility of multi-lepton (four and six) signatures, including an exotic signature of same-sign four-lepton (SS4L) as signals of pair production of a doubly charged Higgs in the minimal left-right symmetric model, extended with two doublet scalars. The right-handed neutrino masses are generated in this model through a dimension-$5$ lepton-number violating operator allowing the triplet scalar interactions with leptons to become negligibly small. This leads to interesting six-lepton and SS4L signatures that can be observed at the high-luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) with almost no background for doubly charged Higgs with mass below 500 GeV.

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arXiv2023

Collider Signatures of a Scalar Leptoquark and Vector-like Lepton in Light of Muon Anomaly

Despite the immense success of the Standard Model, the hunt for physics beyond the Standard Model has continued. Extension of the SM gauge group or the particle content of the SM remains a viable solution to many observed anomalies, such as the anomalous magnetic moment of muon, flavor violation, dark matter, etc. In this work, we consider a BSM model which includes a leptoquark, a vector-like lepton, and a real scalar singlet. The model accounts for a dark matter candidate through a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry in addition to predicting the muon $(g-2)$ in agreement with the experimental measurement. We also show that the experimental measurements of the lepton flavor violation are satisfied in a wide range of parameter space. The viable parameter space of the model is used to study the collider signatures arising from the pair production of the leptoquark in the $2μ+2b+MET$ channel at the 14 TeV LHC run.

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