6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Searches for Scalar Resonances in Diphoton Final States in Assosciation with Multileptons at the Electroweak Scale in the ATLAS Detector at the LHC

8 Jul 2026, 12:00
20m
Lecture Hall GH3 (University of the Western Cape)

Lecture Hall GH3

University of the Western Cape

Oral Presentation Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -2

Speaker

Njokweni Mbuyiswa (University of the Witwatersrand)

Description

Motivated by persistent Run-1 and Run-2 anomalies, including an excess near $m_{\gamma\gamma}\approx152\pm1~$GeV with combined ATLAS and CMS significance of 5.5$\sigma$ (5.3$\sigma$ global), this analysis searches for scalar resonances in diphoton final states with leptons using 2022–2024 ATLAS $pp$ data corresponding to 164 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s}=13.6~$TeV. To support this search, a dedicated Monte Carlo generation campaign has been prepared to study final states containing diphotons in association with leptons, specifically $\gamma\gamma+1\ell$ $(\ell=e/\mu/\tau^{\mathrm{had}})$ and $\gamma\gamma+2\ell$, where $\tau^{\mathrm{had}}$ denotes hadronic tau decays. These final states are particularly sensitive to the presence of additional scalar resonances predicted in models with extended Higgs sectors. The signal production is modeled using two theoretical frameworks, a simplified Two-Higgs-Doublet Model extended with a scalar singlet (2HDM+S) and the Real Higgs Triplet Model (RHTM). In the simplified 2HDM+S scenario, heavy scalar resonances are produced predominantly via gluon–gluon fusion and subsequently decay through cascades involving additional scalar states that yield diphoton signatures accompanied by leptonic activity. The RHTM provides complementary phenomenology through extended Higgs sectors containing singly charged and neutral scalar states, leading to final states with photons and leptons arising from electroweak production and scalar decays. The generated samples enable detailed kinematic characterization of the targeted channels and support reconstruction and event selection optimization, object working point optimization studies, and sensitivity evaluations for scalar resonances within the explored mass range.

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Author

Njokweni Mbuyiswa (University of the Witwatersrand)

Co-authors

Arnav Chauhan Baballo-Victor Ndhlovu (University of the Witwatersrand) Bruce Mellado (Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19B Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China) Chinedu Nnaji (Wits University) Francesco Curcio (IFIC, U. Valencia) Karabo Mosala (University of the Witwatersrand) Kgothatso Ntumbe (Universitty of the Witwatersrand(ZA)) Dr Mukesh Kumar (University of the Witwatersrand) Phuti Rapheeha (University of the Witwatersrand) Rachid Mazini (School of Physics, The University of the Witwatersrand) Sijing Zhang (Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19B Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China) Thapelo LEBOHO (Physics Student at wits) Vuyolwethu Happyboy Kakancu (University of the Witwatersrand)

Presentation materials