Abstract
HiggsSignals is a Fortran90 computer code that allows to test the compatibility of Higgs sector predictions against Higgs rates and masses measured at the LHC or the Tevatron. Arbitrary models with any number of Higgs bosons can be investigated using a model-independent input scheme based on HiggsBounds. The test is based on the calculation of a chi-squared measure from the predictions and the measured Higgs rates and masses, with the ability of fully taking into account systematics and correlations for the signal rate predictions, luminosity and Higgs mass predictions. It features two complementary methods for the test. First, the peak-centered method, in which each observable is defined by a Higgs signal rate measured at a specific hypothetical Higgs mass, corresponding to a tentative Higgs signal. Second, the mass-centered method, where the test is evaluated by comparing the signal rate measurement to the theory prediction at the Higgs mass predicted by the model. The program allows for the simultaneous use of both methods, which is useful in testing models with multiple Higgs bosons. The code automatically combines the signal rates of multiple Higgs bosons if their signals cannot be resolved by the experimental analysis. We compare results obtained with HiggsSignals to official ATLAS and CMS results for various examples of Higgs property determinations and find very good agreement. A few examples of HiggsSignals applications are provided, going beyond the scenarios investigated by the LHC collaborations. For models with more than one Higgs boson we recommend to use HiggsSignals and HiggsBounds in parallel to exploit the full constraining power of Higgs search exclusion limits and the measurements of the signal seen at around 125.5 GeV.
Highlights
Searches for a Higgs boson [1,2,3,4,5,6] have been one of the driving factors behind experimental particle physics over many years
Limits have been presented on extended Higgs sectors in theories beyond the Standard Model (SM), where one prominent example are the combined limits on the Higgs sector of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) from the LEP experiments [11,12]
We have presented HiggsSignals, a public Fortran code to test the predictions of models with arbitrary Higgs sectors against measurements obtained from Higgs searches at the LHC, the Tevatron, and any potential future experiment
Summary
Searches for a Higgs boson [1,2,3,4,5,6] have been one of the driving factors behind experimental particle physics over many years. To test the predictions of models with arbitrary Higgs sectors consistently against all the available experimental data on Higgs exclusion limits, we have presented the public tool HiggsBounds [13,14], which recently appeared in version 4.0.0 [15,16]. HiggsSignals is a Fortran90/2003 code, which evaluates a χ 2 measure to provide a quantitative answer to the statistical question of how compatible the Higgs search data (measured signal strengths and masses) is with the model predictions. Tested against the various signal rate measurements published by the experimental collaborations for a fixed Higgs mass hypothesis This hypothetical Higgs mass is typically motivated by the signal “peak” observed in the channels with high mass resolution, i.e. the searches for H → γ γ and H → Z Z (∗) → 4. Details are given on the implementation of theory mass uncertainties in the mass-centered χ 2 method
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
