Search for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in Associated WH Channels Resulting in bb̅ Decay in DØ Data Using Matrix Element Analysis
Session Number
R05
Advisor(s)
Ryuji Yamada, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Location
A-121
Start Date
28-4-2016 1:10 PM
End Date
28-4-2016 1:35 PM
Abstract
The Higgs boson is a particle that ultimately justifies the present, best explanation for mass. In the following investigation at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, data from the DØ detector was used in an attempt to find the real Higgs event. The particular form of multivariate analysis used in this investigation is called the Matrix Element method. By manipulating the probabilities generated from this method, a discriminant value that encapsulates the likelihood that a particular event contains a signal of a certain process may be calculated. Ultimately, while discriminant plots for data were successfully generated, the ultimate quality of the discriminants may be questioned, given odd variances in one of the data sets. Furthermore, while an event with a high discriminant certainly suggests a high probability of observing the chosen process, a discriminant value alone is not enough to qualify an event as a signal. Thus, the discriminants produced from this investigation may be seen as a starting point in determining whether the Higgs boson was truly sighted at DØ. Nonetheless, by the end of the investigation, around a dozen likely events where observed, meriting further investigation.
Search for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in Associated WH Channels Resulting in bb̅ Decay in DØ Data Using Matrix Element Analysis
A-121
The Higgs boson is a particle that ultimately justifies the present, best explanation for mass. In the following investigation at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, data from the DØ detector was used in an attempt to find the real Higgs event. The particular form of multivariate analysis used in this investigation is called the Matrix Element method. By manipulating the probabilities generated from this method, a discriminant value that encapsulates the likelihood that a particular event contains a signal of a certain process may be calculated. Ultimately, while discriminant plots for data were successfully generated, the ultimate quality of the discriminants may be questioned, given odd variances in one of the data sets. Furthermore, while an event with a high discriminant certainly suggests a high probability of observing the chosen process, a discriminant value alone is not enough to qualify an event as a signal. Thus, the discriminants produced from this investigation may be seen as a starting point in determining whether the Higgs boson was truly sighted at DØ. Nonetheless, by the end of the investigation, around a dozen likely events where observed, meriting further investigation.