A Simple $U(1)$ Gauge Theory Explanation of the Diphoton Excess

Abstract

The recent ATLAS and CMS diphoton resonance excesses are explored in a simple $U(1)$ gauge theory extension of the Standard Model where the resonance is the Higgs boson of the $U(1)$ symmetry breaking, $\phi$. This particle couples to exotic quarks which, through loops, can produce a large enough rate to explain the excess. Due to the choice of $U(1)$ charges, flavor constraints are naturally suppressed, allowing arbitrary flavor violation in the decays of the new quarks to up-type quarks, modifying their signal topologies. An additional heavy quark in the model decays to the lighter exotic quark by emitting either $\phi$ or the $U(1)$ gauge boson, $A_x$, giving extra signals containing diphoton and digluon resonances. Finally, the new Higgs can decay into $\gamma A_x$ and $Z A_x$, followed by $A_x$ decaying into Standard Model fermions through kinetic mixing. Thus, this model gives interesting modified signals to the general class of exotic quark models explaining the diphoton resonance.