Thesis

Higgs and top: ttH associated production to probe beyond the Standard Model

• Call:

  IDPASC Portugal - PHD Programme 2019

• Academic Year:

  2019 / 2020

• Domain:

  Experimental Particle Physics

• Supervisor:

  Ricardo Gonçalo

• Co-Supervisor:

  Patricia Conde Muino

• Institution:

  Instituto Superior Técnico

• Host Institution:

  Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas

• Abstract:

  After an intense search, the associated production of the Higgs boson with a top quark pair was finally observed last year. This production channel provides the best way to directly measure the top Yukawa coupling between Higgs and top, the largest Higgs coupling in the Standard Model (SM). But it also provides a way to look beyond the SM, in particular to search for signs of a possible pseudo-scalar component of the Higgs boson. Such a component is well justified in scenarios like the two-Higgs doublet model, and finding it would constitute a major discovery. The selected student will integrate a Portuguese analysis team already developing this analysis within the ATLAS experiment, using new techniques developed at LIP, and working in close collaboration with groups in the UK and the USA. The student will take part in the ongoing analysis using LHC Run 2 data and be able to use the data from the LHC Run 3, to start in 2021, to achieve the best sensitivity in this measurement. As part of the work, the student will be able to participate in the operation of the ATLAS experiment during the LHC Run 3, to start in 2021, as well as in the development of instruments and methods towards the LHC upgrade. Frequent trips to CERN may be required to participate in Control Room shifts and collaboration meetings.