Associated production of the Higgs boson and a single top quark in the littlest Higgs model at Large Hadron Collier

Abstract

In the context of the littlest Higgs model, we study the associated production of the Higgs boson and a top quark ($th$ production) at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The cross sections for s-channel, t-channel processes and the relative correction for the total cross section are presented. In a part of parameter space, the cross sections can be distinctly deviated from the predictions of Standard Model. We also investigate the signal and backgrounds for the $th$ production at the LHC. However, due to the large QCD backgrounds, it is not very hopeful to directly observe the $th$ signal in most of the parameter space of LH model. It is found that with 30 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, in a narrow range of the parameter space $c=0.8$ and $f\leq 1.62$ TeV, a statistical significance of 3$\sigma$ can be achieved. More than 30 fb$^{-1}$ luminosity will enhance the significance and the possibility of detecting the signal.