Search for Vector-Like Quark T Decaying to bW, tZ, tH in the Single Lepton Final State at the HL-LHC

A simulation-based projection study is presented for a search for a vector-like top quark partner T in proton-proton (pp) collisions at \(\sqrt{s} = 14\)  TeV. The search considers the operational conditions of the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). The production pp \(\rightarrow \) \(\textrm{T}\bar{\textrm{T}}\) is followed by the decays \({\textrm{T} \rightarrow \textrm{bW}}\) , \({\textrm{T} \rightarrow \textrm{tH}}\) , and \({\textrm{T} \rightarrow \textrm{tZ}}\) with equal branching fractions of 1/3. Events with one electron or muon, missing transverse momentum and jets are considered. For an integrated luminosity of 3000 fb \(^{-1}\) , the search projects to exclude a T mass below 1750 GeV at the 95% confidence level assuming equal branching fractions for T \(\rightarrow \) bW/tH/tZ. Conversely, a T quark with mass up to 1440 GeV can be discovered at the HL-LHC with a significance of five standard deviations.