Higher order constraints on the Higgs production rate from fixed-target DIS data

Understand

The constraints of fixed-target DIS data in fits of parton distributions including QCD corrections to next-to-next-to leading order are studied.

• We point out a potential problem in the analysis of the NMC data which can lead to inconsistencies in the extracted value for alpha_s(M_Z) and the gluon distribution at higher orders in QCD.
• The implications for predictions of rates for Standard Model Higgs boson production at hadron colliders are investigated.
• We conclude that the current range of excluded Higgs boson masses at the Tevatron appears to be much too large.