Search for the Vector Boson Fusion Production of the Higgs Boson in the $H \to WW* \to l\nu l\nu$ Channel using Support Vector Machines

This thesis presents a search for vector boson fusion production of Higgs bosons in the H ->WW* -> l\nu l\mu channel using the 20/fb 2012 ATLAS data set. The analysis uses support vector machines in order to distinguish signal and background events. First, an analysis is performed using a 2-class support vector machine, designed to separate signal events from all backgrounds. In addition, a 3-class support vector machine analysis is performed in which back- ground events are separated into two classes. The results of both the 2 and 3-class analyses are consistent with the findings of other ATLAS analyses and with Standard Model predictions to within 1\sigma.