Precise predictions for double-Higgs production via vector-boson fusion

Area of Science:

• High Energy Physics
• Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD)
• Electroweak (EW) Interactions

Background:

• Double-Higgs production via vector-boson fusion (VBF) is a key process for understanding the Standard Model and searching for new physics.
• Precise theoretical predictions are essential for interpreting experimental results at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compute next-to-leading order (NLO) electroweak (EW) corrections for differential observables of double-Higgs production via VBF for the first time.
• To combine these EW corrections with existing next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections for a state-of-the-art theoretical prediction.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical calculations incorporating NNLO QCD accuracy and NLO EW corrections.
• Numerical evaluation for a realistic LHC experimental setup, yielding fiducial cross sections and differential distributions.
• Assessment of the VBF approximation's accuracy within the NNLO QCD framework.

Main Results:

• NLO EW corrections are found to be significant, comparable in magnitude to NLO QCD corrections within the fiducial volume.
• In specific kinematic regions, EW corrections can become dominant, reaching up to 20% of the cross section.
• The combined NNLO QCD and NLO EW corrections yield a total correction of approximately 30%.

Conclusions:

• The computed NLO EW corrections are essential for precise theoretical predictions of double-Higgs production via VBF.
• These results represent the most accurate theoretical prediction to date for this process.
• The findings will be valuable for the high-luminosity LHC program, enhancing the sensitivity to new physics.