Light Z′ signatures at the LHC

Abstract

In this work, we discuss a distinctive pp -> Higgs -> Z'Z' -> 4l (l = e, mu) signal at the LHC, where the "Higgs" label refers to the Standard Model-like Higgs state discovered in 2012 or a lighter one in the framework of a theoretical model embedding a spontaneously broken U(1)' symmetry in addition to the Standard Model gauge group. The additional U(1)' symmetry generates a very light Z' state, with both vector and axial (nonuniversal) couplings to fermions, which are able to explain the so-called Atomki anomaly, compliant with current measurements of the anomalous magnetic moments of electron and muon as well as beam dump experiments. We show that the cross section for this process should be sufficiently large to afford one with significant sensitivity during run 3 of the LHC.