Discovery Potential for the SM Higgs Boson in the H -> WW* -> 2l2nu channel at LHC

TL;DR

This paper presents a strategy for detecting the SM Higgs boson in the WW* decay channel at the LHC, using early data and advanced analysis techniques to distinguish signal from background.

Contribution

It introduces an analysis approach combining sequential cuts and neural networks for Higgs detection in early LHC data, focusing on the WW* decay mode.

Findings

Signal can be distinguished from background with the proposed cuts.

Neural network analysis improves sensitivity over traditional methods.

Feasibility demonstrated for Higgs detection in the 120-200 GeV mass range.

Abstract

A prospective analysis for the search of the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson with the CMS detector is presented in the context of the early LHC data. The aim is to establish an analysis strategy for inclusive production of the Higgs boson decaying in WW* pairs in the context of the early LHC data. Higgs mass region between 120-200 GeV, in which this signature was proposed as highly sensitive, has been studied. The W decays into lnu are considered, where l stands for e or mu. The final states are characterized by two, opposite-sign, high transverse momentum leptons, missing energy, carried out by the undetected neutrinos, and little jet activity. This study uses Monte Carlo (MC) events with full detector simulation, including limited calibration and alignment precision as expected at the LHC startup. Sets of sequential cuts are applied to each of the three topologies, in order to isolate a signal which exceeds the tt and continuum WW backgrounds. Alternatively, an artificial neural network multi-variate analysis technique is used.