Reconstruction of the mass of Higgs boson pairs in events with Higgs boson pairs decaying into four $\tau$ leptons

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new algorithm to reconstruct the mass of Higgs boson pairs decaying into four tau leptons, enhancing sensitivity in searches for heavy resonances predicted by theories beyond the Standard Model.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel reconstruction algorithm specifically designed for the HH→ττττ decay mode, which has not been previously discussed in the literature.

Findings

Achieves a mass resolution of 7-22% depending on resonance mass.

Provides a method to analyze low-background decay channels.

Enhances search sensitivity for heavy Higgs resonances.

Abstract

Various theories beyond the Standard Model predict the existence of heavy resonances decaying to Higgs (H) boson pairs. In order to maximize the sensitivity of searches for such resonances, it is important that experimental analyses cover a variety of decay modes. The decay of H boson pairs to four $\tau$ leptons (HH$ \to \tau\tau\tau\tau$) has not been discussed in the literature so far. This decay mode provides a small branching fraction, but also comparatively low backgrounds. We present an algorithm for the reconstruction of the mass of the H boson pair in events in which the H boson pair decays via HH$ \to \tau\tau\tau\tau$ and the $\tau$ leptons subsequently decay into electrons, muons, or hadrons. The algorithm achieves a resolution of $7$-$22\%$ relative to the mass of the H boson pair, depending on the mass of the resonance.