The $H\rightarrow b\bar{s}$ decay and its implication for the vector-like singlet fermion model

Abstract: The vector-like quark model is one of the extensions of the standard model (SM) of particle physics. The simplest version of this model introduces a vector-like singlet quark which can mix with SM quarks and give rise to new contributions to the flavor-changing decays of the Higgs boson. In this work we first present a systematic analysis of the branching ratios of the decays $H\rightarrow b\bar{s}, b\bar{d}$ at leading order in the standard model. Our results show that it is challenging to observe these two modes because of their small branching ratios. Then augmenting the SM with a vector-like singlet top quark, assuming the top partner only mixes with the top quark, complete one-loop contributions are taken into account in the amplitudes. Further results indicate that the branching ratios of the decays $H\rightarrow b\bar{s}, b\bar{d}$ are sensitive to the mass of the top partner $M_{T}$ and the mixing effects characterized by $\sin\theta_{L}$. By tuning the values of $M_{T}$ and $\sin\theta_{L}$, the branching ratios may rise to a level accessible to LHC experiments. Combined with the branching ratios obtained from a probabilistic model, the allowed areas in the $M_{T}-\sin\theta_{L}$ plane are displayed. Tagging efficiencies and feasibility for detecting $H\rightarrow b\bar{s}$ are specifically discussed and we conclude that with large statistics it is promising to discover the $H\rightarrow b\bar{s}$ decay at the LHC.