Search for Standard Model Higgs in ttbar-H, H$\rightarrow$$b\bar{b}$ decay channel at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV

ORAL

Abstract

The most important goal of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is to elucidate the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). The Higgs boson of the Standard Model (SMH) is a prime candidate for EWSB. The newly discovered boson of July 4th, 2012, with a mass of ~125GeV, has so far been consistent with a SM Higgs. The final confirmation of this new particle as the SMH - or a Higgs boson of another exotic EWSB mechanism - depends on future measurements of all of its properties. The observation of this new particle in association with top-quark pairs would allow the couplings of this particle to top and bottom quarks to be directly measured. Higgs boson production in association with top-quark pairs (ttH), with subsequent decay H$\rightarrow$$b\bar{b}$, is an excellent channel to explore due to the dominant branching ratio of Higgs to $b\bar{b}$ and the kinematic handle the $t\bar{t}$ system offers in the event. However, it presents a plethora of difficult challenges due to a low signal to background ratio and uncertainties on kinematically similar SM backgrounds. This talk describes a search for the SMH in association with top-quark pairs. An analysis of the full 19.4 fb$^{-1}$ 2012 dataset collected by the CMS detector and optimization of the latest results will be presented.

Authors

  • John Wood

    University of Virginia