Search for associated production of a Higgs boson and two vector bosons via vector boson scattering at s = 13 TeV

A search for Higgs boson (H) production in association with two vector bosons (V = W, Z) via vector boson scattering (VBS) is presented using proton-proton collision data collected at s = 13 TeV by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb^-1. Events containing two forward jets consistent with VBS, a large-radius jet from the decay of a boosted H to a pair of b quarks, and 0, 1, or 2 charged leptons coming from V decays are selected. The process is excluded at 95% CL for observed (expected) values of the VVHH coupling modifier κVV outside the interval 0. 40 κVV 1. 60 (0. 34 κVV 1. 66), assuming standard model values for all other couplings, thus establishing a novel probe of the VVHH interaction. Constraints are also set on the individual κ₂W and κ₂Z coupling modifiers, and on the allowed region in the κ₂W-κ₂Z plane.