Speedy Higgs boson discovery in decays to tau lepton pairs : h->tau,tau

TL;DR

This paper critiques current kinematic variables used in Higgs boson searches in tau decay channels at the LHC and proposes an alternative strategy to improve discovery sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a new strategy that potentially enhances Higgs discovery prospects by addressing the non-optimality of existing event variables.

Findings

Current variables are suboptimal for Higgs detection in tau channels.

Proposed strategy offers improved sensitivity over traditional methods.

Encourages LHC collaborations to adopt alternative analysis approaches.

Abstract

Discovery of the Higgs boson in any decay channel depends on the existence of event variables or cuts with sensitivity to the presence of the Higgs. We demonstrate the non-optimality of the kinematic variables which are currently expected to play the largest role in the discovery (or exclusion) of the Higgs at the LHC in the tau channel. Any LHC collaboration looking for opportunities to gain advantages over its rivals should, perhaps, consider the alternative strategy we propose.