This thesis describes a search for the Higgs boson, a new particle predicted by a theory called the minimal supersymmetric extension to the standard model (MSSM). The standard model of particle physics, the MSSM, and Higgs boson phenomenology are introduced briefly. The search presented in this thesis uses a single final state configuration, in which the Higgs boson decays to two tau leptons, with one tau decaying to a muon and neutrinos, and the other decaying to pions and a single neutrino. Two new methods are introduced in this analysis, the Tau Neural Classifier tau identification algorithm, and the Secondary Vertex fit tau pair mass reconstruction method. Both methods are discussed in detail. The analysis uses the 2010 dataset from the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, which contains 36 pb−1 of integrated luminosity at a center of mass energy of 7 TeV. In total, 573 events are selected in the analysis. We fit the observed tau pair mass spectrum and measure the composition of the events. The result is compatible with the standard model expectation. No excess of signal events is observed, and we set an upper limit on the cross section times branching ratio of a Higgs boson. This limit is interpreted in the parameter space of the MSSM.

A search for neutral Higgs bosons in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) decaying to tau-lepton pairs in pp collisions is performed, using events recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 24.6 fb−1, with 4.9 fb−1 at 7 TeV and 19.7 fb−1 at 8 TeV. To enhance the sensitivity to neutral MSSM Higgs bosons, the search includes the case where the Higgs boson is produced in association with a b-quark jet. No excess is observed in the tau-lepton-pair invariant mass spectrum. Exclusion limits are presented in the MSSM parameter space for different benchmark scenarios, mhmax, mhmod+, mhmod-, light-stop, light-stau, [tau]-phobic, and low-mH. Upper limits on the cross section times branching fraction for gluon fusion and b-quark associated Higgs boson production are also given.

A search for neutral MSSM Higgs bosons in pp collisions at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented. The results are based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns recorded by the CMS experiment. The search uses decays of the Higgs bosons to tau pairs. No excess is observed in the tau-pair invariant-mass spectrum. The resulting upper limits on the Higgs boson production cross section times branching fraction to tau pairs, as a function of the pseudoscalar Higgs boson mass, yield stringent new bounds in the MSSM parameter space.

This thesis presents a study of the scalar sector in the standard model (SM), as well as various searches for an extended scalar sector in theories beyond the SM (BSM). The first part of the thesis details the search for an SM Higgs boson decaying to taus, and produced by gluon fusion, vector boson fusion, or associated production with a vector boson, leading to evidence for decays of the Higgs boson to taus. In turn, the second part highlights several searches for an extended scalar sector, with scalar boson decays to taus. In all of the analyses presented, at least one scalar boson decays to a pair of taus. The results draw on data collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector during proton–proton collisions with a center-of-mass energy of 7 or 8 TeV.

The work presented in this thesis spans a wide range of experimental particle physics subjects, starting from level-1 trigger electronics to the final results of the search for Higgs boson decay and to tau lepton pairs. The thesis describes an innovative reconstruction algorithm for tau decays and details how it was instrumental in providing a measurement of Z decay to tau lepton pairs. The reliability of the analysis is fully established by this measurement before the Higgs boson decay to tau lepton pairs is considered. The work described here continues to serve as a model for analysing CMS Higgs to tau leptons measurements.

A search for neutral Higgs bosons predicted in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) for [mu]+[mu]- decay channels is presented. Our analysis uses data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5.1 and 19.3 fb-1, respectively. The search is sensitive to Higgs bosons produced either through the gluon fusion process or in association with a bb quark pair. No statistically significant excess is observed in the [mu]+[mu]- mass spectrum. Results are interpreted in the framework of several benchmark scenarios, and the data are used to set an upper limit on the MSSM parameter tan [beta] as a function of the mass of the pseudoscalar A boson in the range from 115 to 300 GeV. Furthermore, the model independent upper limits are given for the product of the cross section and branching fraction for gluon fusion and b quark associated production at √s = 8 TeV. As a result, they are the most stringent limits obtained to date in this channel.