Eur. Phys. J. C 26, 429-440 (2003)
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2002-01069-2

A Z-monitor to calibrate Higgs production via vector boson fusion with rapidity gaps at the LHC

V.A. Khoze¹, M.G. Ryskin², W.J. Stirling¹ and P.H. Williams<sup>1

1</sup>  Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
²  Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, St. Petersburg, 188300, Russia

(Received: 1 August 2002 / Revised version: 27 September 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 )

Abstract
We study central Z-boson production accompanied by rapidity gaps on either side as a way to gauge Higgs weak boson fusion production at the LHC. We analyse the possible backgrounds for the -decay mode and show that these can be substantially reduced. Special attention is paid to the evaluation of the gap survival factor, which is the major source of theoretical uncertainty in the rate of H, Z and W central production events with rapidity gaps.

© Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2003