Paper detail

Basis-independent methods for the two-Higgs-doublet model

In the most general two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM), unitary transformations between the two Higgs fields do not change the functional form of the Lagrangian. All physical observables of the model must therefore be independent of such transformations (i.e., independent of the Lagrangian basis choice for the Higgs fields). We exhibit a set of basis-independent quantities that determine all tree-level Higgs couplings and masses. Some examples of the basis-independent treatment of 2HDM discrete symmetries are presented. We also note that the ratio of the neutral Higgs field vacuum expectation values, tan(beta), is not a meaningful parameter in general, as it is basis-dependent. Implications for the more specialized 2HDMs (e.g., the Higgs sector of the MSSM and the so-called Type-I and Type-II 2HDMs) are explored.