Search for the $HH \to b \bar{b} b \bar{b}$ process via vector boson fusion production using proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for Higgs boson pair production via vector boson fusion (VBF) in the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ final state is carried out with the ATLAS detector, using 126 fb$^{-1}$ of proton--proton collision data delivered at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV by the Large Hadron Collider. This search is sensitive to VBF production of additional heavy bosons that may decay to Higgs boson pairs, and in a non-resonant topology it can constrain the parameters of pairs of Higgs bosons coupling with two vector bosons. No significant excess, relative to the Standard Model expectation, is observed and limits on the production cross-section are set at 95% confidence level for a heavy scalar resonance in the context of an extended Higgs sector, and for a non-resonant Standard Model Higgs boson pair production. Interpretation in terms of the coupling between a Higgs boson pair and two vector bosons is also provided.