Embedding - a data driven Z → ττ estimation method for H → ττ

The decay of the Higgs boson into τ-leptons is the easiest accessible signal to examine the coupling of the Higgs boson to fermions. The largest irreducible background for this signature results from Z bosons in the same decay channel. Embedding is a data driven method to model this background. Here, muons originating from Z → μμ events are replaced by simulated τ-leptons. Compared to a full Monte Carlo background estimation, this method benefits from using data and thus reducing background uncertainties. To guarantee a good performance of this technique, a deep understanding of the event reconstruction with the CMS detector is required. In this talk, major developments, current results using 2016 data, and applications of the embedding technique are presented.