Higher dimensional operators and the LHC Higgs data: the role of modified kinematics

Abstract

The inclusion of higher-dimensional gauge invariant operators induces new Lorentz structures in Higgs couplings with electroweak gauge boson pairs. This in principle affects the kinematics of Higgs production and decay, thereby modifying the efficiencies of the experimental cuts compared to what simulations based on the standard model interactions yield. Taking some sample cases, we perform a rigorous analysis of how the efficiencies differ for various strengths of the additional operator vis-à-vis the standard model interactions, scanning over the values of both of them. While the response to cuts can be markedly different in some regions, we find that the sensitivity to new operator structures is relatively limited, so long as we remain confined to the 2σ regions around the best fit signal strengths measured at the Large Hadron Collider. We also show modifications to certain kinematical distributions including the new operators in the diphoton final state.