Matched predictions for the b(b)over-barH cross section at the 13 TeV LHC

We present up-to-date matched predictions for the b (b) over barH inclusive cross section at the LHC at root s = 13TeV. Using a previously developed method, our predictions consistently combine the complete NLO contributions that are present in the 4-flavor scheme calculation, including finite b-quark mass effects as well as top-loop induced YbYt interference contributions, with the resummation of collinear logarithms of m(b)/m(H) as present in the 5-flavor scheme calculation up to NNLO. We provide a detailed estimate of the perturbative uncertainties of the matched result by examining its dependence on the factorization and renormalization scales, the scale of the Yukawa coupling, and also the low b-quark matching scale in the PDFs. We motivate the use of a central renormalization scale of m(H)/2, which is halfway between the values typically chosen in the 4-flavor and 5-flavor scheme calculations. We evaluate the parametric uncertainties due to the PDFs and the b-quark mass, and in particular discuss how to systematically disentangle the parametric m(b) dependence and the unphysical b-quark matching scale dependence. Our best prediction for the b (b) over barH production cross section in the Standard Model at 13TeV and for m(H) = 125 GeV is sigma (b (b) over barH) = 0.52 pb [1 +/- 9.6%(perturbative)(+2.9%)(-3.6%) (parametric)]. We also provide predictions for a range of Higgs masses mH is an element of[50, 750] GeV. Our method to compute the matched prediction and to evaluate its uncertainty can be readily applied to other heavy-quark-initiated processes at the LHC.