This paper presents a measurement of the $W$ boson production cross section and the $W^{+}/W^{-}$ cross-section ratio, both in association with jets, in proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement is performed in final states containing one electron and missing transverse momentum using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.2 fb$^{-1}$. Differential cross sections for events with one or two jets are presented for a range of observables, including jet transverse momenta and rapidities, the scalar sum of transverse momenta of the visible particles and the missing transverse momentum in the event, and the transverse momentum of the $W$ boson. For a subset of the observables, the differential cross sections of positively and negatively charged $W$ bosons are measured separately. In the cross-section ratio of $W^{+}/W^{-}$ the dominant systematic uncertainties cancel out, improving the measurement precision by up to a factor of nine. The observables and ratios selected for this paper provide valuable input for the up quark, down quark, and gluon parton distribution functions of the proton.
Cross section for the production of W bosons for different inclusive jet multiplicities.
Statistical correlation between bins in data for the cross section for the production of W bosons for different inclusive jet multiplicities.
Differential cross sections for the production of W<sup>+</sup> bosons, W<sup>-</sup> bosons and the W<sup>+</sup>/W<sup>-</sup> cross section ratio as a function of the inclusive jet multiplicity.
Measurements of normalized differential cross-sections of top-quark pair production are presented as a function of the top-quark, $t\bar{t}$ system and event-level kinematic observables in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV}. The observables have been chosen to emphasize the $t\bar{t}$ production process and to be sensitive to effects of initial- and final-state radiation, to the different parton distribution functions, and to non-resonant processes and higher-order corrections. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb$^{-1}$, recorded in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Events are selected in the lepton+jets channel, requiring exactly one charged lepton and at least four jets with at least two of the jets tagged as originating from a $b$-quark. The measured spectra are corrected for detector effects and are compared to several Monte Carlo simulations. The results are in fair agreement with the predictions over a wide kinematic range. Nevertheless, most generators predict a harder top-quark transverse momentum distribution at high values than what is observed in the data. Predictions beyond NLO accuracy improve the agreement with data at high top-quark transverse momenta. Using the current settings and parton distribution functions, the rapidity distributions are not well modelled by any generator under consideration. However, the level of agreement is improved when more recent sets of parton distribution functions are used.
Fiducial phase-space absolute differential cross-sections after combining the e+jets and $\mu$+jets channels for the $t\bar{t}$ system invariant mass $m^{t\bar{t}}$. All uncertainties are quoted as a percentage with respect to the cross-section values in each bin.
Fiducial phase-space relative differential cross-sections after combining the e+jets and $\mu$+jets channels for the $t\bar{t}$ system invariant mass $m^{t\bar{t}}$. All uncertainties are quoted as a percentage with respect to the cross-section values in each bin.
Fiducial phase-space absolute differential cross-sections after combining the e+jets and $\mu$+jets channels for the $t\bar{t}$ system transverse momentum $p_{T}^{t\bar{t}}$. All uncertainties are quoted as a percentage with respect to the cross-section values in each bin.
This paper presents measurements of $W^\pm Z$ production in $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The gauge bosons are reconstructed using their leptonic decay modes into electrons and muons. The data were collected in 2012 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb$^{-1}$. The measured inclusive cross section in the detector fiducial region is $\sigma_{W^\pm Z \rightarrow \ell^{'} \nu\ \ell \ell} = 35.1 \pm$ 0.9 (stat.) $\pm 0.8$ (sys.) $\pm 0.8$ (lumi.) fb, for one leptonic decay channel. In comparison, the next-to-leading-order Standard Model expectation is 30.0 $\pm$ 2.1 fb. Cross sections for $W^+Z$ and $W^-Z$ production and their ratio are presented as well as differential cross sections for several kinematic observables. Limits on anomalous triple gauge boson couplings are derived from the transverse mass spectrum of the $W^\pm Z$ system. From the analysis of events with a $W$ and a $Z$ boson associated with two or more forward jets an upper limit at 95% confidence level on the $W^\pm Z$ scattering cross section of 0.63 fb, for each leptonic decay channel, is established, while the Standard Model prediction at next-to-leading order is 0.13 fb. Limits on anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings are also extracted.
The measured fiducial cross section in the four channels and their combination. The first systematic uncertainty is the combined systematic uncertainty excluding luminosity uncertainty, the second is the luminosity uncertainty.
The measured fiducial cross section in the four channels and their combination. The first systematic uncertainty is the combined systematic uncertainty excluding luminosity uncertainty, the second is the luminosity uncertainty.
The measured fiducial cross section in the four channels and their combination. The first systematic uncertainty is the combined systematic uncertainty excluding luminosity uncertainty, the second is the luminosity uncertainty.
This paper reports inclusive and differential measurements of the $t\bar{t}$ charge asymmetry $A_{\textrm{C}}$ in 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV $pp$ collisions recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Three differential measurements are performed as a function of the invariant mass, transverse momentum and longitudinal boost of the $t\bar{t}$ system. The $t\bar{t}$ pairs are selected in the single-lepton channels ($e$ or $\mu$) with at least four jets, and a likelihood fit is used to reconstruct the $t\bar{t}$ event kinematics. A Bayesian unfolding procedure is performed to infer the asymmetry at parton level from the observed data distribution. The inclusive $t\bar{t}$ charge asymmetry is measured to be $A_{\textrm{C}} = 0.009 \pm 0.005$ (stat.$+$syst.). The inclusive and differential measurements are compatible with the values predicted by the Standard Model.
The inclusive $t\bar{t}$ production charge asymmetry, $A_C$, with statistical and systematic uncertainties combined.
Measured charge asymmetry, $A_C$, values for the electron and muon channels combined after unfolding as a function of the $t\bar{t}$ invariant mass, $m_{t\bar{t}}$. The quoted uncertainties include statistical and systematic components after the marginalisation.
Measured charge asymmetry, $A_C$, values for the electron and muon channels combined after unfolding as a function of the $t\bar{t}$ velocity along the z-axis, $\beta_{z,t\bar{t}}$. The quoted uncertainties include statistical and systematic components after the marginalisation.
This paper describes a measurement of fiducial and differential cross sections of gluon-fusion Higgs boson production in the $H{\rightarrow\,}WW^{\ast}{\rightarrow\,}e\nu\mu\nu$ channel, using 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data. The data were produced at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and recorded by the ATLAS detector in 2012. Cross sections are measured from the observed $H{\rightarrow\,}WW^{\ast}{\rightarrow\,}e\nu\mu\nu$ signal yield in categories distinguished by the number of associated jets. The total cross section is measured in a fiducial region defined by the kinematic properties of the charged leptons and neutrinos. Differential cross sections are reported as a function of the number of jets, the Higgs boson transverse momentum, the dilepton rapidity, and the transverse momentum of the leading jet. The jet-veto efficiency, or fraction of events with no jets above a given transverse momentum threshold, is also reported. All measurements are compared to QCD predictions from Monte Carlo generators and fixed-order calculations, and are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions.
Measured total fiducial cross section in fb.
Measured fiducial cross section in fb as a function of Njet. Jet PT>25 GeV for |eta|<2.4 and PT>30 GeV for 2.4<|eta|<4.5.
Measured fiducial cross section in fb/GeV as a function of pTH.
Ratios of top-quark pair to $Z$-boson cross sections measured from proton--proton collisions at the LHC centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt s=13$TeV, 8TeV, and 7TeV are presented by the ATLAS Collaboration. Single ratios, at a given $\sqrt s$ for the two processes and at different $\sqrt s$ for each process, as well as double ratios of the two processes at different $\sqrt s$, are evaluated. The ratios are constructed using previously published ATLAS measurements of the $t\overline{t}$ and $Z$-boson production cross sections, corrected to a common phase space where required, and a new analysis of $Z \rightarrow \ell^+ \ell^-$ where $\ell=e,\mu$ at $\sqrt s=13$TeV performed with data collected in 2015 with an integrated luminosity of $3.2$fb$^{-1}$. Correlations of systematic uncertainties are taken into account when evaluating the uncertainties in the ratios. The correlation model is also used to evaluate the combined cross section of the $Z\rightarrow e^+e^-$ and the $Z\rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ channels for each $\sqrt s$ value. The results are compared to calculations performed at next-to-next-to-leading-order accuracy using recent sets of parton distribution functions. The data demonstrate significant power to constrain the gluon distribution function for the Bjorken-$x$ values near 0.1 and the light-quark sea for $x<0.02$.
Measured fiducial cross section times leptonic branching ratio for Z/gamma* production in the Z/gamma* -> e+e- final state at 13TeV.
Measured fiducial cross section times leptonic branching ratio for Z/gamma* production in the Z/gamma* -> mu+ mu- final state at 13TeV.
Breakdown of systematic uncertainties in percent for the measured fiducial cross section times leptonic branching ratio for Z/gamma* production in the Z/gamma* -> e+e- final state at 13TeV.
A search is presented for narrow diboson resonances decaying to $WW$ or $WZ$ in the final state where one $W$ boson decays leptonically (to an electron or a muon plus a neutrino) and the other $W/Z$ boson decays hadronically. The analysis is performed using an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. No evidence for resonant diboson production is observed, and resonance masses below 700 GeV and 1490 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level for the spin-2 Randall-Sundrum bulk graviton $G^*$ with coupling constant of 1.0 and the extended gauge model $W'$ boson respectively.
Reconstructed mass distribution in the low-pt resolved region (LRR).
Reconstructed mass distribution in the high-pt resolved region (HRR).
Reconstructed mass distribution in the merged region (MR).
Results of a search for decays of massive particles to fully hadronic final states are presented. This search uses 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of data collected by the ATLAS detector in $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV proton--proton collisions at the LHC. Signatures based on high jet multiplicities without requirements on the missing transverse momentum are used to search for $R$-parity-violating supersymmetric gluino pair production with subsequent decays to quarks. The analysis is performed using a requirement on the number of jets, in combination with separate requirements on the number of $b$-tagged jets, as well as a topological observable formed from the scalar sum of the mass values of large-radius jets in the event. Results are interpreted in the context of all possible branching ratios of direct gluino decays to various quark flavors. No significant deviation is observed from the expected Standard Model backgrounds estimated using jet-counting as well as data-driven templates of the total-jet-mass spectra. Gluino pair decays to ten or more quarks via intermediate neutralinos are excluded for a gluino with mass $m_{\tilde{g}} < 1$ TeV for a neutralino mass $m_{\tilde{\chi}^0_1} = 500$ GeV. Direct gluino decays to six quarks are excluded for $m_{\tilde{g}} < 917$ GeV for light-flavor final states, and results for various flavor hypotheses are presented.
Expected and observed event yields for signal regions with at least 6 jets as a function of transverse momentum requirements.
Expected and observed event yields for signal regions with at least 6 jets with at least 1 b-tag as a function of transverse momentum requirements.
Expected and observed event yields for signal regions with at least 6 jets with at least 2 b-tags as a function of transverse momentum requirements.
This Letter presents a search for a heavy neutral particle decaying into an opposite-sign different-flavor dilepton pair, $e^\pm \mu^\mp$, $e^\pm \tau^\mp$, or $\mu^\pm \tau^\mp$ using 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The numbers of observed candidate events are compatible with the Standard Model expectations. Limits are set on the cross section of new phenomena in two scenarios: the production of $\tilde{\nu}_{\tau}$ in $R$-parity-violating supersymmetric models and the production of a lepton-flavor-violating $Z'$ vector boson.
Observed and predicted $e\mu$ invariant mass distributions.
The expected invariant mass distribution of signal Z'@0.75TeV and $\tilde{\nu}_{\tau}$@1TeV. The arbitrary choice of couplings are: $\lambda_{311}^{'}=0.11$ and $\lambda_{i3k}=0.07$ for $\tilde{\nu}_{\tau}$, $Q_{ll^{'}}=1$ for Z' .
Observed and predicted $e\tau$ invariant mass distributions.
Many extensions of the Standard Model predict the existence of charged heavy long-lived particles, such as $R$-hadrons or charginos. These particles, if produced at the Large Hadron Collider, should be moving non-relativistically and are therefore identifiable through the measurement of an anomalously large specific energy loss in the ATLAS pixel detector. Measuring heavy long-lived particles through their track parameters in the vicinity of the interaction vertex provides sensitivity to metastable particles with lifetimes from 0.6 ns to 30 ns. A search for such particles with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is presented, based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.4 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV. No significant deviation from the Standard Model background expectation is observed, and lifetime-dependent upper limits on $R$-hadrons and chargino production are set. Gluino $R$-hadrons with 10 ns lifetime and masses up to 1185 GeV are excluded at 95$\%$ confidence level, and so are charginos with 15 ns lifetime and masses up to 482 GeV.
Ratio of the reconstructed mass, computed as the most probable value of a fit to a Landau distribution convolved with a Gaussian, to the generated mass, as a function of the generated mass for stable gluino R-hadrons, along with the half-width at half maximum of the reconstructed mass distribution normalised to the generated mass.
Efficiency for the calorimetric MET>80 GeV trigger as a function of the stable R-hadron mass.
Efficiency for the calorimetric MET>80 GeV trigger as a function of the metastable R-hadron mass. The R-hadron decays to g/qq plus neutralino of mass 100 GeV with a lifetime of 1 ns.