Aspects of CP violation in the HZZ coupling at the LHC

Abstract

We examine the CP-conserving (CPC) and CP-violating (CPV) effects of a general HZZ coupling through a study of the process H → ZZ^(∗) → l⁺l^-l'⁺l'^- at the LHC. We construct asymmetries that directly probe these couplings. Further, we present complete analytical formulae for the angular distributions of the decay leptons and for some of the asymmetries. Using these we have been able to identify new observables which can provide enhanced sensitivity to the CPV HZZ coupling. We also explore probing CP violation through shapes of distributions in different kinematic variables, which can be used for Higgs bosons with m_H < 2 m_Z.