Standard model Higgs physics at a 4 TeV upgraded Fermilab Tevatron.

Abstract

We compute an array of standard model Higgs boson (H) signals and backgrounds for a possible upgrade of the Fermilab Tevatron to \ensuremath{\surd}s =4 TeV. Taking ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{t}}$\ensuremath{\ge}140 GeV, and assuming a total accumulated luminosity of L=30 ${\mathrm{fb}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, we find that a standard model Higgs boson with ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}110 GeV could almost certainly be detected using the ${\mathit{W}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$H\ensuremath{\rightarrow}l\ensuremath{\nu}bb\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} mode. A Higgs boson with a mass between \ensuremath{\sim}120 GeV and \ensuremath{\sim}140 GeV or above \ensuremath{\sim}230--250 GeV almost certainly would not be seen. A Higgs boson with ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$\ensuremath{\sim}150 GeV or 200\ensuremath{\lesssim}${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}230--250 GeV has a decent chance of being detected in the ZZ\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4l mode. There would also be some possibility of discovering the H in the WW\ensuremath{\rightarrow}l\ensuremath{\nu}jj mode for 150\ensuremath{\lesssim}${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}200 GeV. Finally, hints of an event excess in the WW\ensuremath{\rightarrow}ll\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\nu} mode due to the H might emerge for 140\ensuremath{\lesssim}${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}180 GeV. Given the difficult nature of the Higgs boson signals for ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$ values beyond the reach of CERN LEP 200, and the discontinuous ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}$ range that could potentially be probed, a 4 TeV upgraded Tevatron would allow a much less comprehensive search for a standard model Higgs boson than the CERN LHC.