Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay channel using 7 TeV proton-proton collision data from the CMS detector, setting limits on its production and excluding certain mass ranges.

Contribution

First search for the Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel at 7 TeV, providing new exclusion limits in the 270-440 GeV mass range.

Findings

No significant excess observed above background.

Excluded Higgs mass range 270-440 GeV at 95% CL.

Set upper limits on Higgs production cross section.

Abstract

A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay channel, where l = e or mu, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented. The data were collected at the LHC, with the CMS detector, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 inverse femtobarns. No significant excess is observed above the background expectation, and upper limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section. The presence of the standard model Higgs boson with a mass in the 270-440 GeV range is excluded at 95% confidence level.