Search for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in the ZH->vvbb Channel in 5.2 fb-1 of p-pbar Collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for the Standard Model Higgs boson in proton-antiproton collisions at 1.96 TeV, focusing on the ZH->vvbb channel, setting limits on production cross section consistent with the Standard Model expectations.

Contribution

First search for the Higgs boson in the ZH->vvbb channel at the Tevatron, providing new limits on its production cross section at 115 GeV.

Findings

Set a 95% C.L. limit on Higgs production cross section at 115 GeV

Limit is 3.7 times the Standard Model prediction, matching expectations

Results are consistent with Standard Model predictions

Abstract

A search is performed for the standard model Higgs boson in 5.2 fb-1 of p-pbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV, collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The final state considered is a pair of b jets and large missing transverse energy, as expected from p-pbar->ZH->vvbb production. The search is also sensitive to the WH->lvbb channel when the charged lepton is not identified. For a Higgs boson mass of 115 GeV, a limit is set at the 95% C.L. on the cross section multiplied by branching fraction for [p-pbar->(Z/W)H](H->b-bbar) that is a factor of 3.7 larger than the standard model value, consistent with the factor of 4.6 expected.