New physics and signal-background interference in associated $pp\to HZ$ production

Abstract

We re-investigate electroweak signal-background interference in associated Higgs production via gluon fusion in the presence of new physics in the top-Higgs sector. Considering the full final state $pp \to b \bar b \ell^+\ell^-$ ($\ell=e,μ$), we discuss how new physics in the top-Higgs sector that enhances the $ZZ$ component can leave footprints in the $HZ$ limit setting. In passing we investigate the phenomenology of a class of new physics interactions that can be genuinely studied in this process.

6 pages, 5 figures, references added, published version