Final results of the searches for neutral Higgs bosons in e +e- collisions at √s up to 209 GeV

The final results of the ALEPH search for the Standart Model Higgs boson at LEP, with data collected in the year 2000 at center-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV, are presented. The changes with respect to the preceding publication are described and a complete study of systematic effects is reported. The findings of this final analysis confirm the preliminary results published in November 2000 shortly after the closing down of the LEP collider: a significant excess of events is observed, consistent with the production of a 115 GeV/c2 Standard Model Higgs boson. The final results of the searches for the neutral Higgs bosons od the MSSM are also reported, in terms of limits on mh, mA and tan β. Limits are also set on mh in the case of invisible decays. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.