Where is the Higgs?
G. Degrassi
TL;DR
The paper analyzes how theoretical and experimental uncertainties affect indirect Higgs mass determination. It presents a Bayesian method to infer the Higgs mass from precision observables and then combines this with direct LEP search results using a likelihood ratio. The key result is that, even with direct search hints, the probability that M_H is below 116 GeV is about 35%, and the 95% upper limit is around 210–230 GeV, illustrating a low-to-intermediate mass preference but substantial high-mass compatibility. The approach highlights the interplay between theory uncertainties, hadronic vacuum polarization, and direct searches in shaping Higgs mass constraints.
Abstract
I discuss the theoretical uncertainties in the indirect Higgs mass determination. I present the probability density function for the Higgs mass obtained combining together the information from precision measurements with the results from the direct search experiments carried out at LEP. The probability that the Higgs weights less than 116 GeV comes out to be around 35 % while the 95 % upper limit is located around 210-230 GeV.