Search for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in $e^+ e^-$ Interactions at $161 \leq \sqrt{s} \leq 172$ GeV

Abstract

A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson has been performed with the L3 detector at LEP. The data sample was collected at three centre-of-mass energies, 161.3, 170.3 and 172.3 GeV with integrated luminosities of 10.8, 1.0 and 9.2 $pb^-1$, respectively. No Higgs signal is observed. In combination with previous data taken at the Z resonance, a lower Higgs mass limit, $M_H 69.5$ GeV, is obtained at 95\% confidence level