Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the ZH -> nu(nu)over-barb(b)over-bar channel in 9.5 fb(-1) of p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Abstract

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson in 9.5 fb(-1) of p (p) over bar collisions at root s = 1.96 TeV collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The final state considered contains a pair of b jets and is characterized by an imbalance in transverse energy, as expected from p (p) over bar -> ZH -> nu(nu) over barb (b) over bar production. The search is also sensitive to the WH -> l nu b (b) over bar channel when the charged lepton is not identified. The data are found to be in good agreement with the expected background. For a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, we set a limit at the 95% C.L. on the cross section sigma(p (p) over bar -> vertical bar Z/W vertical bar H), assuming standard model branching fractions, that is a factor of 4.3 times larger than the theoretical standard model value, while the expected factor is 3.9. The search is also used to measure a combined WZ and ZZ production cross section that is a factor of 0.94 +/- 0.31 (stat) +/- 0.34 (syst) times the standard model prediction of 4.4 pb, with an observed significance of 2.0 standard deviations. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.