CA22130 - Comprehensive Multiboson Experiment-Theory Action (COMETA)

The first decade of operations of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has consolidated the success of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. In particular, the discovery of the Higgs boson confirmed the “Higgs mechanism” as an appropriate description of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). Yet, the dynamics underlying the EWSB, and therefore the nature of the Higgs boson itself, is still unknown. This represents one of the most pressing open questions in contemporary particle physics. 

Shedding light onto the nature of the EWSB requires studying the dynamics of the scalar sector of the SM as a whole, examining the Higgs, W and Z bosons in a coherent way. Concretely, it is crucial to measure several multi-boson production processes and to combine them into comprehensive global analyses. The identification of inconsistencies with the SM in such measurements would represent a major achievement in the field, that would be decisive in defining its research targets for the next decades.

These measurements are very challenging, because of the overwhelming backgrounds, the required precision of theory predictions and the large number of processes of interest. Only a coordinated effort will allow us to create a consistent high-precision picture of EWSB dynamics.

COMETA aims at creating a tightly interconnected scientific community that will bring substantial improvements to this quest, by fostering communication between diverse research groups and enabling the development of dedicated advanced technology. The network involves world-leading experts from theory and experimental HEP groups, as well as artificial intelligence practitioners within and outside academia.