Test of CP invariance in vector-boson fusion production of the Higgs boson in the H → ττ channel in proton–proton collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion is performed in the H → τ τ decay channel. This test uses the Optimal Observable method and is carried out using 36.1 fb − 1 of s = 13 TeV proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Contributions from CP-violating interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons are described by an effective field theory, in which the parameter d ˜ governs the strength of CP violation. No sign of CP violation is observed in the distributions of the Optimal Observable, and d ˜ is constrained to the interval [−0.090, 0.035] at the 68% confidence level (CL), compared to an expected interval of d ˜ ∈ [ − 0.035 , 0.033 ] based upon the Standard Model prediction. No constraints can be set on d ˜ at 95% CL, while an expected 95% CL interval of d ˜ ∈ [ − 0.21 , 0.15 ] for the Standard Model hypothesis was expected.