The Higgs resonance shape in gluon fusion: Heavy Higgs effects

Abstract

We study the influence of two--loop radiative corrections of enhanced electroweak strength on Higgs production at the LHC. We consider Higgs production by the gluon fusion mechanism, with the subsequent decay of the Higgs boson into a pair of Z bosons, and incorporate the resonance shape corrections up to order $(g^2 \, m_H^2 / m_W^2)^2$. We take into account the full $g g \rightarrow Z Z$ process and the $q \bar{q} \rightarrow Z Z$ background, as well as the subsequent decay of the Z pair into leptons. We also discuss the theoretical uncertainty related to the use of the equivalence theorem in this process.