We show in this work how a sub-100 GeV $Z$ in a $U(1)$ extension of the Standard Model (SM) can emerge through Higgs mediated channels at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The light $Z$ has minimal interaction with the SM sector as well as vanishing k
inetic mixing with $Z$ boson which allows it to be light and below the SM gauge boson masses. Interestingly such a light $Z$ is very difficult to observe in the standard production modes. We show that it is possible to observe such a gauge boson via scalar mediators that are responsible for the symmetry breaking mechanism of the model. The model also provides a dark matter candidate whose compatibility with the observed relic density is established due to the light $Z$. We also comment on other interesting possibilities such a light $Z$ may present for other observables.
We show that one of the simplest extensions of the Standard Model, the addition of a second Higgs doublet, when combined with a dark sector singlet scalar, allows us to: $i)$ explain the long-standing anomalies in the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Det
ector (LSND) and MiniBooNE (MB) while maintaining compatibility with the null result from KARMEN, $ii)$ obtain, in the process, a portal to the dark sector, and $iii)$ comfortably account for the observed value of the muon $g-2$. Three singlet neutrinos allow for an understanding of observed neutrino mass-squared differences via a Type I seesaw, with two of the lighter states participating in the interaction in both LSND and MB. We obtain very good fits to energy and angular distributions in both experiments. We explain features of the solution presented here and discuss the constraints that our model must satisfy. We also mention prospects for future tests of its particle content.
Two of the most widely studied extensions of the Standard Model (SM) are $a)$ the addition of a new $U(1)$ symmetry to its existing gauge groups, and $b)$ the expansion of its scalar sector to incorporate a second Higgs doublet. We show that when com
bined, they allow us to understand the electron-like event excess seen in the MiniBooNE (MB) experiment as well as account for the observed anomalous values of the muon magnetic moment. A light $Z$ associated with an additional $U(1)$ coupled to baryons and to the dark sector, with flavor non-universal couplings to leptons, in conjunction with a second Higgs doublet is capable of explaining the MB excess. The $Z$ obtains its mass from a dark singlet scalar, which mixes with the two Higgs doublets. Choosing benchmark parameter values, we show that $U(1)_{B-3L_tau}$, which is anomaly-free, and $U(1)_B$, both provide (phenomenologically) equally good solutions to the excess. We also point out the other (anomaly-free) $U(1)$ choices that may be possible upon fuller exploration of the parameter space. We obtain very good matches to the energy and angular distributions for neutrinos and anti-neutrinos in MB. The extended Higgs sector has two light CP-even scalars, $h$ and $H$, and their masses and couplings are such that in principle, both contribute to help explain the MB excess as well as the present observed values of the muon and electron $g-2$. We discuss the constraints on our model as well as future tests. Our work underlines the role that light scalars may play in understanding present-day low-energy anomalies. It also points to the possible existence of portals to the dark sector, i.e., a light gauge boson field $(Z)$ and a dark neutrino which mixes with the active neutrinos, as well as a dark sector light scalar which mixes with the extended Higgs sector.
In this work, we discuss two component fermionic FIMP dark matter (DM) in a popular $B-L$ extension of the standard model (SM) with inverse seesaw mechanism. Due to the introduced $mathbb{Z}_{2}$ discrete symmetry, a keV SM gauge singlet fermion is s
table and can be a warm DM candidate. Also, this $mathbb{Z}_{2}$ symmetry helps the lightest right-handed neutrino, with mass of order GeV, to be a long-lived or stable particle by choosing a corresponding Yukawa coupling to be very small. Firstly, in the absence of a GeV DM component (i.e., without tuning its corresponding Yukawa coupling), we consider only a keV DM as a single component DM produced by the freeze-in mechanism. Secondly, we study a two component FIMP DM scenario and emphasize that the correct ballpark DM relic density bound can be achieved for a wide parameter space.
The $B-L$ Supersymmetric Standard Model (BLSSM) is an ideal testing ground of the spin nature of Dark Matter (DM) as it offers amongst its candidates both a spin-1/2 (the lightest neutralino) and spin-0 (the lightest right-handed sneutrino) state. We
show that the mono-$Z$ channel can be used at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to diagnose whether a DM signal is characterised within the BLSSM by a fermionic or (pseudo)scalar DM particle. Sensitivity to either hypothesis can be obtained after only 100 fb$^{-1}$ of luminosity following Runs 2 and 3 of the LHC.
Inspired by the fact that relatively small values of the effective higgsino mass parameter of the $Z_3$-symmetric Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM) could render the scenario `natural, we explore the plausibility of having relative
ly light neutralinos and charginos (the electroweakinos or the ewinos) in such a scenario with a rather light singlino-like Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP), which is a Dark Matter (DM) candidate, and singlet-dominated scalar excitations. By first confirming the indications in the existing literature that finding simultaneous compliance with results from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and those from various DM experiments with such light states is, in general, a difficult ask, we proceed to demonstrate, with the help of a few representative benchmark points, how exactly and to what extent could such a highly motivated `natural setup with a singlino-like DM candidate still remains plausible.
Upon assuming the $B-L$ Supersymmetric Standard Model (BLSSM) as theoretical framework accommodating a multi-Higgs sector, we assess the scope of the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) in accessing charged Higgs bosons ($H^pm$) produced i
n pairs from $Z$ decays. We show that, by pursuing both di-jet and tau-neutrino decays, several signals can be established for $H^pm$ masses ranging from about $M_{W}$ to above $m_t$ and $Z$ masses between 2.5 TeV and 3.5 TeV. The discovery can be attained, even in a background free environment in some cases, owing to the fact that the very massive resonating $Z$ ejects the charged Higgs bosons at very high transverse momentum, a kinematic region where any SM noise is hugely depleted.
We investigate the collider signatures of neutral and charged Long-Lived Particles (LLPs), predicted by the Supersymmetric $B-L$ extension of the Standard Model (BLSSM), at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The BLSSM is a natural extension of the Mini
mal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) that can account for non-vanishing neutrino masses. We show that the lightest right-handed sneutrino can be the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP), while the Next-to-the LSP (NLSP) is either the lightest left-handed sneutrino or the left-handed stau, which are natural candidates for the LLPs. We analyze the displaced vertex signature of the neutral LLP (the lightest left-handed sneutrino), and the charged tracks associated with the charged LLP (the left-handed stau). We show that the production cross sections of our neutral and charged LLPs are relatively large, namely of order ${cal O}(1)~{rm fb}$. Thus, probing these particles at the LHC is quite plausible. In addition, we find that the displaced di-lepton associated with the lightest left-handed sneutrino has a large impact parameter that discriminates it from other SM leptons. We also emphasize that the charged track associated with the left-handed stau has a large momentum with slow moving charged tracks, hence it is distinguished from the SM background and therefore it can be accessible at the LHC.
We study the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, a_mu, and lepton flavor violating decay mu -> e gamma in TeV scale B-L extension of the Standard Model (SM) with inverse seesaw mechanism. We show that the B-L contributions to a_mu are severely con
strained, therefore the SM contribution remains intact. We also emphasize that the current experimental limit of BR(mu -> e gamma) can be satisfied for a wide range of parameter space and it can be within the reach of MEG experiment.
