The Road to the Higgs in $$p\bar{p}$$ collisions at $$\sqrt{s}$$= 1.96 TeV
- Northeastern Univ., Boston, MA (United States)
Presented is a series of analyses which are central to the search for a low-mass Higgs boson. A search for ZZ production in the ZZ → ℓ-ℓ+v$$\bar{v}$$ channel is introduced then the successful combination of this analysis with with the ZZ → ℓ+ℓ-ℓ'+ℓ'- search to produce the first observation of the ZZ process at a hadron collider is then detailed. The final analysis presented is the search for the Higgs in the ZH → v$$\bar{v}$$b$$\bar{b}$$ channel and the interpretation as a ZZ → v$$\bar{v}$$b$$\bar{b}$$ search in order to validate the techniques. Common themes are discussed, such as multivariate techniques and instrumental backgrounds from energy measurement fluctuations and the tools used to combat them. The formalism of the statistical analysis of the final selected sample is introduced generally and demonstrated in the context of the above mentioned searches. The optimization of the selection through the identification of poorly reconstructed leptons is included as well as the utilization of b-quark identifying tools. Some space is given to jet reconstruction/identification and the Level 1 Calorimeter Trigger. The efficient identification and calibration of jets is central to many physics analysis especially in the low mass higgs search. Another key component of the ZH → v$$\bar{v}$$b$$\bar{b}$$ search is the proficient identification of jets and an imbalance of transverse energy in the first level of the triggering system. Therefore, the Level 1 Calorimeter Trigger, designed to achieve this, is a necessary component for a sensitive ZH → v$$\bar{v}$$b$$\bar{b}$$ search.
- Research Organization:
- Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359
- OSTI ID:
- 1015388
- Report Number(s):
- FERMILAB-THESIS-2011-11; TRN: US1102900
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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