Effective field theory approach to LHC Higgs data

TL;DR

The paper develops a model-independent EFT framework for interpreting LHC Higgs data using dimension-6 operators, organized in a Higgs basis to map to observable Higgs production and decay processes. It shows how signal strengths depend linearly on a small set of independent couplings, and provides current constraints from ATLAS and CMS, highlighting strong limits on $c_{gg}$ and $c_{\gamma\gamma}$ but significant degeneracies among other parameters. The analysis discusses the limitations of linear EFT, the need for differential distributions to lift degeneracies, and the benefit of combining Higgs data with triple gauge-coupling constraints to improve bounds. It argues that upcoming 13 TeV measurements will enable constraints on all relevant $D=6$ Higgs couplings within the EFT validity range, offering a powerful, model-independent probe of new physics near the TeV scale.

Abstract

I review the effective field theory approach to LHC Higgs data.