From Top Quarks to Self-Coupling: Is the Higgs Boson Extrovert or Introvert?
Dr. Abhisek Datta
Postdoctoral Scholar, Physics & Astronomy
UCLA
The Higgs boson is a cornerstone of the Standard Model of particle physics, playing a crucial role in generating mass for elementary particles. Since its discovery at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), extensive efforts have been dedicated to measuring its properties and interactions with high precision, not only to validate Standard Model predictions but also to probe for potential hints of new physics. This talk will focus on recent advances in probing two significant interactions of the Higgs boson: with the top quark and with itself, using proton-proton collision data recorded by the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the LHC. A direct measurement of the Higgs boson self-interaction requires observing the exceedingly rare production of two Higgs bosons, a process yet to be detected. Achieving this goal will require very large datasets expected from the forthcoming High Luminosity era of the LHC, for which the CMS experiment will undergo significant upgrades. Among these is a new muon detector, designed to extend the experiment’s reach into the far-forward region, which will be highlighted in this talk. Finally, an outlook on measurements of Higgs boson interaction strengths at future colliders will be presented, offering a glimpse into the next frontier of particle physics.