Testing models with non-minimal Higgs sector through the decay t->q+WZ

We study the contribution of charged Higgs boson to the rare decay of the top quark t->q+WZ (q=d,s,b) in models with Higgs sector that includes doublets and triplets. Higgs doublets are needed to couple charged Higgs with quarks, whereas the Higgs triplets are required to generate the non-standard vertex HWZ at tree-level. It is found that within a model that respect the custodial SU(2) symmetry and avoids flavour changing neutral currents by imposing discrete symmetries, the decay mode t->b+WZ, can reach a branching ratio of order 0.0178, whereas the decay modes t->(d,s)+WZ, can reach a similar branching ratio in models where flavour changing neutral currents are suppressed by flavour symmetries.Comment: Typeset using REVTEX and EPSF, 5 pag, 2 figure

Probing the mechanism of EWSB with a rho parameter defined in terms of Higgs couplings

A definition of the rho parameter based on the Higgs couplings with the gauge bosons, rho_h= g_{hWW}}/c^2_W g_{hZZ}, is proposed as a new probe into the origin of the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking. While $\rho_h=1$ holds in the SM, deviations from one are predicted in models with extended Higgs sector. We derive a general expresion of rho_h for a model with arbitrary Higgs multiplets, and discuss its size within the context of specific models with Higgs triplets, including the ``Little Higgs'' models recently proposed. We find the even for Higgs models that incorporate the custodial symmetry to make rho=1, one could have rho_h\neq 1, which could be tested at the level of a few percent, with the precision Higgs meassurements expected at the NLC.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

An effective lagrangian description of charged Higgs decays H^+ -> Wg, WZ and Wh

Charged Higgs decays are discussed within an effective lagrangian extension of the two-higgs doublet model, assuming new physics appearing in the Higgs sector of this model. Low energy constrains are used to imposse bounds on certain dimension -six operators that describe the modified charged Higgs interactions. These bounds are used then to study the decays H^+ -> Wg, WZ and Wh, which can have branching ratios of order 10^-5, 10^-1 and O(1), respectively; thse modes are thus sensitive probes of the symmetries of the Higgs sector that could be tested at future colliders.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

New Higgs signals induced by mirror fermion mixing effects

We study the conditions under which flavor violation arises in scalar-fermion interactions, as a result of the mixing phenomena between the standard model and exotic fermions. Phenomenological consequences are discussed within the specific context of a left-right model where these additional fermions have mirror properties under the new SU(2)_R gauge group. Bounds on the parameters of the model are obtained from LFV processes; these results are then used to study the LFV Higgs decays (H --> tau l_j, l_j = e, mu), which reach branching ratios that could be detected at future colliders.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, ReVTex4, graphicx, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Mass matrix Ansatz and lepton flavor violation in the THDM-III

Predictive Higgs-fermion couplings can be obtained when a specific texture for the fermion mass matrices is included in the general two-Higgs doublet model. We derive the form of these couplings in the charged lepton sector using a Hermitian mass matrix Ansatz with four-texture zeros. The presence of unconstrained phases in the vertices phi-li-lj modifies the pattern of flavor-violating Higgs interactions. Bounds on the model parameters are obtained from present limits on rare lepton flavor violating processes, which could be extended further by the search for the decay tau -> mu mu mu and mu-e conversion at future experiments. The signal from Higgs boson decays phi -> tau mu could be searched at the large hadron collider (LHC), while e-mu transitions could produce a detectable signal at a future e mu-collider, through the reaction e mu -> h0 -> tau tau.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure

Tests of Higgs and Top Effective Interactions

We study the possibility to detect heavy physics effects in the interactions of Higgs bosons and the top quark at future colliders using the effective Lagrangian approach. The modification of the interactions may enhance the production of Higgs bosons at hadron colliders through the mechanisms of gluon fusion and associated production with a W boson or $t\bar{t}$ pairs. The most promising signature is through the decay of the Higgs boson into two photons, whose branching ratio is also enhanced in this approach. As a consequence of our analysis we get a bound on the chromomagnetic dipole moment of the top quark.Comment: 14 pages, Latex, two figures available by fax under request. To be published in Phys. Lett

Chromomagnetic Dipole Moment of the Top Quark Revisited

We study the complete one-loop contributions to the chromagnetic dipole moment $\Delta\kappa$ of the top quark in the Standard Model, two Higgs doublet models, topcolor assited technicolor models (TC2), 331 models and extended models with a single extra dimension. We find that the SM predicts $\Delta\kappa = - 0.056$ and that the predictions of the other models are also consitent with the constraints imposed on $\Delta\kappa$ by low-energy precision measurements.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, Updat

FCNC Top Quark Decays in Extra Dimensions

The flavor changing neutral top quark decay t -> c X is computed, where X is a neutral standard model particle, in a extended model with a single extra dimension. The cases for the photon, X= \gamma$, and a Standard Model Higgs boson, X = H, are analyzed in detail in a non-linear$R_\xi gauge. We find that the branching ratios can be enhanced by the dynamics originated in the extra dimension. In the limit where 1/R >> ->, we have found Br(t -> c \gamma) \simeq 10^{-10} for 1/R = 0.5 TeV. For the decay t -> c H, we have found Br(t -> cH) \simeq 10^{-10} for a low Higgs mass value. The branching ratios go to zero when 1/R -> \infty.Comment: Accepted to be published in the Europ. Phys. Jour. C; 16 pages, 2 figure

Effective Lagrangian description of the lepton flavor violating decays Z-->li lj

A comprehensive analysis of the lepton flavor violating (LFV) decays Z-->li lj is presented within the effective Lagrangian approach. Both the decoupling and nondecoupling scenarios are explored. The experimental constraints from li --> lj lk \bar{lk} and li -->lj gamma as well as some relationships arising from the gauge invariance of the effective Lagrangian are used to put constraints on Z-->li lj. It is found that while current experimental data impose very strong constraints on Z-->mu e, the channel Z --> tau mu (e)still may be at the reach of the planned TESLA collider.Comment: References added, final version to appear in Physical Review