H++ Lepton Selection Cuts and ZZ Background Estimation
Session Number
Project ID: PHYS 17
Advisor(s)
Dr. Peter J. Dong, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Physical Science
Start Date
17-4-2024 8:35 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 8:50 AM
Abstract
In search for new physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM), theories such as the Left-Right symmetric electroweak model predict the existence of doubly charged Higgs bosons (H++) which have the unique decay signature of a pair of same-sign dilepton (SSDL) jets which is unlike anything present in the Standard model. This unique signature makes the H++ a promising search candidate to verify the Left-Right Symmetric Model. In order to set higher limits of the H++ mass our goal was to reduce the primary Drell-Yan background using electron and muon cuts. After we managed to successfully cut out the large majority of the Drell-Yan background contribution, the next greatest source of background comes from ZZ decays which as an irreducible background must be calculated. Since higher mass same-sign dilepton pair (SSDL) ZZ events are so rare, the Monte Carlo becomes unreliable for predicting ZZ at high masses. Our approach was to fit from SSDL invariant mass regions to higher masses using a power law in order to be able to predict the ZZ contribution at any mass.
H++ Lepton Selection Cuts and ZZ Background Estimation
In search for new physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM), theories such as the Left-Right symmetric electroweak model predict the existence of doubly charged Higgs bosons (H++) which have the unique decay signature of a pair of same-sign dilepton (SSDL) jets which is unlike anything present in the Standard model. This unique signature makes the H++ a promising search candidate to verify the Left-Right Symmetric Model. In order to set higher limits of the H++ mass our goal was to reduce the primary Drell-Yan background using electron and muon cuts. After we managed to successfully cut out the large majority of the Drell-Yan background contribution, the next greatest source of background comes from ZZ decays which as an irreducible background must be calculated. Since higher mass same-sign dilepton pair (SSDL) ZZ events are so rare, the Monte Carlo becomes unreliable for predicting ZZ at high masses. Our approach was to fit from SSDL invariant mass regions to higher masses using a power law in order to be able to predict the ZZ contribution at any mass.