A Search for the SM Higgs Boson by Burt DeWilde Kalamazoo College Against all odds
Dec 20, 2015
The Standard Model (again)
Particles grouped into generations by mass
Higgs field with non-zero VEV causes EWSB -> mass
Higgs boson is the particle associated with this field
Run I vs. Run II
Increase in center-of-mass energy->1.96TeV
Increase in number of bunches, decrease in spacing of bunches
Much higher luminosity (Hopefully) enough for
Higgs boson detection
Higgs Decay Modes
bb channel dominant up to M=135GeV
Z boson decays into two muons less frequent, but also cleaner channel
Importance of the Results
NN achieves better signal/background discrimination than cuts on Mjj alone
NN analysis gives better signal significance than conventional analysis
Integrated luminosity required for Higgs detection reduced 40-70%
Not too shabby
Acknowledgements
Andy Haas, for meaning, direction, and data The Nevis crew, for troubleshooting and
much-needed moral support The National Science Foundation, for
research experience and money