Higgs boson production at the LHC: Transverse momentum resummation effects in the H → γγ, H → WW → lνlν and H → ZZ → 4l decay modes

Abstract

We consider Standard Model Higgs boson production through gluon-gluon fusion in hadron collisions. We combine the calculation of the next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the inclusive cross section with the resummation of multiple soft-gluon emissions at small transverse momenta up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. The calculation is implemented in the numerical program HRes and allows us to retain the full kinematics of the Higgs boson and of its decay products. We present selected numerical results for the signal cross section at the LHC (√s = 8TeV), in the H → γγ, H → WW → lνlν and H → ZZ → 4l decay channels by using the nominal cuts applied in current Higgs boson searches by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. © 2012 SISSA.