Probing a light Higgs in $ H \to hh \to b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ in Type-I 2HDM at the LHC

Abstract

In this study, we explore the potential to probe the process $gg \to H_{\text{SM-like}} \to hh \to b\bar{b}\tau\tau$ at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), within the framework of the Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-I. After performing a detailed Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, we focus on isolating the signal from the Standard Model (SM) backgrounds. Our analysis employs a dedicated trigger choice and optimised kinematic selection to improve the signal sensitivity. We demonstrate some sensitivity to this decay channel at Run 3, while the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) can provide discovery evidence.