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. Cuts used in this analysis are smooth functions of a 4-muon invariant mass and a priori optimized so as to maximize statistical chances of the Higgs boson observability independently of a mass at which it might appear. The Higgs boson then manifests itself as a 4mu resonance-like peak over the continuum M(4mu) 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 $M(4\mu)$ invariant masses (115-600 GeV$/c^2$) are taken into account.