Present and Future Electroweak Precision Measurements and the Indirect Determination of the Mass of the Higgs Boson

Abstract

We discuss the experimental and theoretical uncertainties on precision electroweak observables and their relationship to the indirect constraints on the Higgs-boson mass, $\MH$, in the Standard Model (SM). The critical experimental measurements ($\MW$, $\sweff$, $\mt$, ...) are evaluated in terms of their present uncertainties and their prospects for improved precision at future colliders, and their contribution to the constraints on $\MH$. In addition, the current uncertainties of the theoretical predictions for $\MW$ and $\sweff$ due to missing higher order corrections are estimated and expectations and necessary theoretical improvements for future colliders are explored. The constraints from rare B decays are also discussed. Analysis of the present experimental and theoretical precisions yield a current upper bound on $\MH$ of $\sim 200$ GeV. Including anticipated improvements corresponding to the prospective situation at future colliders (Tevatron Run II, LHC, LC/GigaZ), we find a relative precision of about 25% to 8% (or better) is achievable in the indirect determination of $\MH$.