The equivalent vector boson approximation for intermediate mass Higgs boson production

Abstract

We consider the equivalent vector boson approximation (EVBA) for the processqq→qqWW→qqH andqq→qqZZ→qqH. It is shown that the contributions σT and σL, of the transversely and longitudinally polarized vector bosonsV respectively, are comparable with each other for intermediate values ofm _H viz. 0.3 TeV to 0.6 TeV. σT can be as large as 1.5–2 times σL in this mass range. As a result the leading EVBA for σ=σL+σT overestimates the exact total cross-section by a factor, upto 2–3 even, at high energies. σT is negligible with respect to the leading contribution σL only form _H≧0.6 TeV, where EVBA is correct within 15–20%. Further the effect of the corrections to EVBA, which are naively of nonleading order, on these conclusions in the framework of the EVBA is discussed.