Test of $CP$ Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the $H\toγγ$ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

Abstract

A test of $CP$ invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the $H\rightarrowγγ$ channel using 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13\,\mathrm{TeV}$ collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The Optimal Observable method is used to probe the $CP$ structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of $CP$ violation is observed in data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the $CP$-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: $\tilde{d}$ in the HISZ basis and $c_{H\tilde{W}}$ in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on $CP$ violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% CL constraint on $\tilde{d}$ is derived for the first time and the 95% CL constraint on $c_{H\tilde{W}}$ has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.