1. A Search for the SM Higgs Boson by Burt DeWilde Kalamazoo College Against all odds

2. The Standard Model (again) Particles grouped into generations by mass Higgs field with non- zero VEV causes EWSB -> mass Higgs boson is the particle associated with this field

3. The Tevatron

4. The D0 Detector

5. Run I vs. Run II Increase in center-of- mass energy->1.96TeV Increase in number of bunches, decrease in spacing of bunches Much higher luminosity (Hopefully) enough for Higgs boson detection

6. Higgs Production Modes

7. Higgs Decay Modes bb channel dominant up to M=135GeV Z boson decays into two muons less frequent, but also cleaner channel

8. Neural Network Structure

9. NN Variables: Signal, Background, and Data

11. Training Method Comparison

12. Signal Significance vs. Training Method

13. Optimal # of Epochs for # of Hidden Neurons

14. Signal Significance vs. Optimal # of Neurons/Epochs

15. Signal Significance vs. NN Weighting Scheme

16. Invariant Mass Distributions for Potential Higgs Masses

17. Signal Significance vs. Invariant Mass Base Cut

18. NN Results for Higgs M=105GeV

19. NN Results for Higgs M=115GeV

20. NN Results for Higgs M=125GeV

21. NN Results for Higgs M=135GeV

22. NN Results for Higgs M=145GeV

23. NN Results for Higgs M=155GeV

24. Importance of the Results NN achieves better signal/background discrimination than cuts on Mjj alone NN analysis gives better signal significance than conventional analysis Integrated luminosity required for Higgs detection reduced 40-70% Not too shabby

25. Acknowledgements Andy Haas, for meaning, direction, and data The Nevis crew, for troubleshooting and much-needed moral support The National Science Foundation, for research experience and money