Energy-enhanced dimension eight SMEFT effects in VBF Higgs production
We study Higgs boson production via vector boson fusion at the LHC, focusing on the process pp → H + jj and capturing the leading energy-enhanced contributions within the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) up to order 1/Λ$$^{4}$$. Employing energy-scaling arguments, we predict the magnitude of each higher-dimensional operator’s contribution. Utilizing the geometric formulation of SMEFT, our analysis incorporates dimension-eight operators not previously considered. We find that the kinematics of vector boson fusion — characterized by two highly forward jets — tend to suppress contributions from higher-dimensional operators, requiring a lower scale Λ for SMEFT effects to become observable. This suggests that the SMEFT remains valid for lower Λ than expected. Combined with the fact that LEP constrains the dimension-six operators with the most considerable impact on vector boson fusion, a regime exists where dimension-eight operators can have significant effects. In many cases, these dimension-eight operators also influence associated production processes like pp → HV(jj), though differences in analysis cuts and kinematics mean this is not always the case. Our findings provide insights that could refine the search for SMEFT signals in collider experiments.
- Research Organization:
- Cincinnati U.; Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Notre Dame U.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89243024CSC000002
- OSTI ID:
- 2477318
- Report Number(s):
- FERMILAB-PUB-24-0786-V; arXiv:2410.21563; oai:inspirehep.net:2843504
- Journal Information:
- JHEP, Journal Name: JHEP Vol. 02
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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