HESKETH1	Z+b at the LHC as a Higgs background and test of QCD
Type	Experimental
#students	1
Orientation	Why is the scientific problem of interest at all? Following the discovery of a Higgs-like boson at the LHC, one of the main aims now is to observe the new particle in all expected decay modes, to confirm if it is really the Higgs Boson we expected. The main decay mode currently missing is when the Higgs decays to two heavy b-quarks.
How	How is the research going to shed light on the given problem?. This project will be based on studies of the main background to this missing Higgs signal, Z+b production. Measurements in this channel are also an important test of QCD modeling, and an active area of theoretical interest.
What	What is the specific thing that the student will do, and how does it fit inside the overall project? The project will involve running existing simulation programmes to compare different assumptions in the modeling of Z+b production, and investigating possible measurements which could discriminate between them.
Special Knowledge	Some programming experience essential, this project will involve using C++/Linux to run existing simulation packages.
Supervisor	Dr Gavin Hesketh g.hesketh@ucl.ac.uk