Search for associated production of a Higgs boson and two vector bosons via vector boson scattering at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for Higgs boson production with two vector bosons via vector boson scattering at 13 TeV, setting new constraints on VVHH couplings using CMS data.

Contribution

It presents the first constraints on the VVHH interaction through VBS at 13 TeV, using a novel analysis of Higgs and vector boson production.

Findings

Excluded VVHH coupling modifier outside 0.40 to 1.60 at 95% CL

Set constraints on individual $W$ and $Z$ coupling modifiers

Established a new probe of the VVHH interaction in VBS processes

Abstract

A search for Higgs boson (H) production in association with two vector bosons (V = W, Z) via vector boson scattering (VBS) is presented using proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Events containing two forward jets consistent with VBS, a large-radius jet from the decay of a boosted H to a pair of b quarks, and 0, 1, or 2 charged leptons coming from V decays are selected. The process is excluded at 95% CL for observed (expected) values of the VVHH coupling modifier $\kappa_\mathrm{VV}$ outside the interval 0.40 $\lt$ $\kappa_\mathrm{VV}$ $\lt$ 1.60 (0.34 $\lt$ $\kappa_\mathrm{VV}$ $\lt$ 1.66), assuming standard model values for all other couplings, thus establishing a novel probe of the VVHH interaction. Constraints are also set on the individual $\kappa_\mathrm{2W}$ and $\kappa_\mathrm{2Z}$ coupling modifiers, and on the allowed region in the $\kappa_\mathrm{2W}$-$\kappa_\mathrm{2Z}$ plane.