Search Strategy for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in the $H \to ZZ^{(*)} \to 4\mu$ Decay Channel using $M(4\mu)$-Dependent Cuts

We present a strategy for a Higgs-boson search in its four-muon decay channel Hmu. The method is based on using optimized, smooth M(4mu)-dependent cuts that automatically ensure an optimal signal-to-background ratio for any mass at which the Higgs boson might appear. The Higgs boson then manifests itself as a 4mu resonance-like peak over the continuum M(mu) distribution and can be searched for using various statistical techniques. The most important theoretical and instrumental systematic errors as well as the fact that the search is conducted in a broad range of M(4mu) invariant masses (110-600 GeV/c^2) are taken into account.