The Tevatron Higgs exclusion limits and theoretical uncertainties: a critical appraisal

TL;DR

This paper critically assesses Tevatron Higgs exclusion limits by incorporating theoretical uncertainties, revealing that the current exclusions are less definitive and more luminosity is needed to confirm or refute the Higgs mass range.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of how theoretical uncertainties impact Higgs exclusion limits, highlighting the need for revised sensitivity estimates.

Findings

Exclusion limits are significantly affected by theoretical uncertainties.

The currently excluded Higgs mass range would be reopened when uncertainties are considered.

Doubling the current luminosity is necessary to recover the original sensitivity.

Abstract

We examine the exclusion limits set by the CDF and D0 experiments on the Standard Model Higgs boson mass from their searches at the Tevatron in the light of large theoretical uncertainties on the signal and background cross sections. We show that when these uncertainties are consistently taken into account, the sensitivity of the experiments becomes significantly lower and the currently excluded mass range $M_H=158$-175 GeV would be entirely reopened. The necessary luminosity required to recover the current sensitivity is found to be a factor of two higher than the present one.