Physics potential for the H $$\rightarrow \hbox {ZZ}^{*}$$ → ZZ ∗ decay at the CEPC

Abstract

Abstract The precision of the yield measurement of the Higgs boson decaying into a pair of Z bosons process at the Circular Electron Positron Collider is evaluated. Including the recoil Z boson associated with the Higgs production (Higgsstrahlung) a total of three Z bosons are involved for this channel, from which final states characterized by the presence of a pair of leptons, quarks, and neutrinos are chosen for the signal. Two analysis approaches are compared and the final statistical precision of $${\sigma }_{\mathrm {ZH}}{\cdot }$$ σ ZH · BR( $$H \rightarrow ZZ^{*}$$ H → Z Z ∗ ) is estimated to be 6.9% using a multivariate analysis technique, based on boosted decision trees. The relative precision of the Higgs boson width, using this $$H \rightarrow ZZ^{*}$$ H → Z Z ∗ decay topology, is estimated by combining the obtained result with the precision of the inclusive ZH cross section measurement.