Search for a standard model like Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to l+l- q qbar decay channel at sqrt(s)=8 TeV

A search for a standard-model-like Higgs boson decaying into two Z bosons with subsequent decay into two leptons and two quarks, $\mathrm{H\to ZZ\to \ell^+\ell^- q\bar{q}}$ is performed. The analysis uses 19.7~fb$^{-1}$ of data collected by the CMS experiment from proton-proton collisions produced in LHC at $\sqrt{s} = 8$~TeV. The search exploits the kinematic information and the flavor tagging of the leading particles of the event in order to isolate hypothetical Higgs boson-like signals in the $230~\mathrm{Ge\kern -0.1em V}$ to $1000~\mathrm{Ge\kern -0.1em V}$ mass range. At high mass the two quarks from the $Z$-decay merge into a single jet and are analyzed with jet-substructure methods. The sensitivity of the analysis is further improved compared to previous similar searches by a dedicated study of a Vector Boson Fusion signatures. We interpret the data in terms of a standard-model-like Higgs boson as well as an electroweak singlet visible through the interference with the recently discovered $125~\mathrm{Ge\kern -0.1em V}$ boson. No evidence of a signal is found and upper limits are set on the production cross section.