RAPIDITY GAP SIGNALS IN HIGGS-BOSON PRODUCTION AT THE SSC

We examine the structure of the underlying event in neutral Higgs-boso n production at the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC). Gaps, region s of rapidity containing no soft particle production, can provide a cl ean signature for W boson fusion to the heavy Higgs boson. We first ex amine the physical basis of gap production and estimate the survival p robability of gaps in the minijet model. Then, using PYTHIA, and HERWI G, we compare gap events to W pair production from top quark decay and q (q) over bar fusion. We find that, if experimental problems can be overcome, gaps should provide a small, but clean, signal for heavy Hig gs-boson production at the SSC.