A search is presented for photonic signatures, motivated by generalized models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. This search makes use of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC, and it explores models dominated by both strong and electroweak production of supersymmetric partner states. Experimental signatures incorporating an isolated photon and significant missing transverse momentum are explored. These signatures include events with an additional photon or additional jet activity not associated with any specific underlying quark flavor. No significant excess of events is observed above the Standard Model prediction, and 95% confidence-level upper limits of between 0.083 fb and 0.32 fb are set on the visible cross section of contributions from physics beyond the Standard Model. These results are interpreted in terms of lower limits on the masses of gluinos, squarks, and gauginos in the context of generalized models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry, which reach as high as 2.3 TeV for strongly produced and 1.3 TeV for weakly produced supersymmetric partner pairs.
Distribution of the total visible transverse energy $H_{\mathrm{T}}$ for selected diphoton events, after requiring $\Delta\phi_{\mathrm{min}} (\mathrm{jet}, E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}) > 0.5$ but before application of a requirement on $E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}$ and $\Delta\phi_{\mathrm{min}} (\gamma, E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}})$ ($\gamma\gamma$ pre-selection). Also shown are the expected $H_{\mathrm{T}}$ distributions of contributing SM processes as well as those for two points each in the parameter spaces of the gluino-bino and wino-bino GGM models (mass values in GeV). Events outside the range of the displayed region are included in the highest-value bin.
Distribution of $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ for the sample satisfying all $\mathrm{SR}^{\gamma j}_{L}$ selection criteria except the $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ requirement itself, but with a relaxed requirement of $E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} > 100$ GeV. Also shown are the expected $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ distributions of contributing SM processes as well as those for two points in the $m_{\tilde{g}}$-$m_{\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}}$ parameter space of the GGM model relevant to the photon+jets analysis (mass values in GeV). The value of the gluino mass arises from the choice $M_3 = 1900$ GeV, while the values of the $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}$ mass arise from the choices $\mu = 400$ and $\mu = 600$ GeV, combined with the constraint that the branching fraction of $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1} \to \gamma\tilde{G}$ be 50%. The vertical dashed line and left-pointing arrow shows the region of the $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ observable selected for inclusion in $\mathrm{SR}^{\gamma j}_{L}$. Uncertainties are shown as hatched bands for the various expected sources of SM background (statistical only) and as error bars for data. The lower panels show the ratio of the data to the SM prediction.
Comparisons between expected and observed content of the validation and signal regions for the diphoton analysis. The uncertainties in the numbers of expected events are the combined statistical and systematic uncertainties. The lower panel shows the pull (difference between observed and expected event counts normalized by the uncertainty) for each region.
A measurement of $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2\mathrm{S})$ production is presented. It is based on a data sample from Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV and $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $0.42\mathrm{nb}^{-1}$ and $25\mathrm{pb}^{-1}$ in Pb+Pb and $pp$, respectively. The measurements of per-event yields, nuclear modification factors, and non-prompt fractions are performed in the dimuon decay channel for $9 < p_{T}^{\mu\mu} < 40$ GeV in dimuon transverse momentum, and $-2.0 < y_{\mu\mu} < 2.0$ in rapidity. Strong suppression is found in Pb+Pb collisions for both prompt and non-prompt $J/\psi$, as well as for prompt and non-prompt $\psi(2\mathrm{S})$, increasing with event centrality. The suppression of prompt $\psi(2\mathrm{S})$ is observed to be stronger than that of $J/\psi$, while the suppression of non-prompt $\psi(2\mathrm{S})$ is equal to that of the non-prompt $J/\psi$ within uncertainties, consistent with the expectation that both arise from \textit{b}-quarks propagating through the medium. Despite prompt and non-prompt $J/\psi$ arising from different mechanisms, the dependence of their nuclear modification factors on centrality is found to be quite similar.
Per-event-yield of prompt jpsi production in 5.02 TeV PbPb collision data as a function of pT for three different centrality slices in the rapidity range |y| < 2.
Per-event-yield of non-prompt jpsi production in 5.02 TeV PbPb collision data as a function of pT for three different centrality slices in the rapidity range |y| < 2.
Non-prompt fraction of jpsi production in 5.02 TeV PbPb collision data as a function of pT for three different centrality slices in the rapidity range |y| < 2.
Combined ATLAS and CMS measurements of the Higgs boson production and decay rates, as well as constraints on its couplings to vector bosons and fermions, are presented. The combination is based on the analysis of five production processes, namely gluon fusion, vector boson fusion, and associated production with a $W$ or a $Z$ boson or a pair of top quarks, and of the six decay modes $H \to ZZ, WW$, $\gamma\gamma, \tau\tau, bb$, and $\mu\mu$. All results are reported assuming a value of 125.09 GeV for the Higgs boson mass, the result of the combined measurement by the ATLAS and CMS experiments. The analysis uses the CERN LHC proton--proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS and CMS experiments in 2011 and 2012, corresponding to integrated luminosities per experiment of approximately 5 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV and 20 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV. The Higgs boson production and decay rates measured by the two experiments are combined within the context of three generic parameterisations: two based on cross sections and branching fractions, and one on ratios of coupling modifiers. Several interpretations of the measurements with more model-dependent parameterisations are also given. The combined signal yield relative to the Standard Model prediction is measured to be 1.09 $\pm$ 0.11. The combined measurements lead to observed significances for the vector boson fusion production process and for the $H \to \tau\tau$ decay of $5.4$ and $5.5$ standard deviations, respectively. The data are consistent with the Standard Model predictions for all parameterisations considered.
Best fit values of $\sigma_i \cdot \mathrm{B}^f$ for each specific channel $i \to H\to f$, as obtained from the generic parameterisation with 23 parameters for the combination of the ATLAS and CMS measurements, using the $\sqrt{s}$=7 and 8 TeV data. The cross sections are given for $\sqrt{s}$=8 TeV, assuming the SM values for $\sigma_i(7 \mathrm{TeV})/\sigma_i(8 \mathrm{TeV})$. The results are shown together with their total uncertainties and their breakdown into statistical and systematic components. The missing values are either not measured with a meaningful precision and therefore not quoted, in the case of the $H\to ZZ$ decay channel for the $WH$, $ZH$, and $ttH$ production processes, or not measured at all and therefore fixed to their corresponding SM predictions, in the case of the $H\to bb$ decay mode for the $gg\mathrm{F}$ and VBF production processes.
Best fit values of $\sigma_i \cdot \mathrm{B}^f$ relative to their SM prediction for each specific channel $i \to H\to f$, as obtained from the generic parameterisation with 23 parameters for the combination of the ATLAS and CMS measurements, using the $\sqrt{s}$=7 and 8 TeV data. The results are shown together with their total uncertainties and their breakdown into statistical and systematic components. The missing values are either not measured with a meaningful precision and therefore not quoted, in the case of the $H\to ZZ$ decay channel for the $WH$, $ZH$, and $ttH$ production processes, or not measured at all and therefore fixed to their corresponding SM predictions, in the case of the $H\to bb$ decay mode for the $gg\mathrm{F}$ and VBF production processes.
Best fit values of $\sigma(gg\to H\to ZZ)$, $\sigma_i/\sigma_{gg\mathrm{F}}$, and $\mathrm{B}^f/\mathrm{B}^{ZZ}$ from the combined analysis of the $\sqrt{s}$=7 and 8 TeV data. The values involving cross sections are given for $\sqrt{s}$=8 TeV, assuming the SM values for $\sigma_i(7 \mathrm{TeV})/\sigma_i(8 \mathrm{TeV})$. The results are shown for the combination of ATLAS and CMS, and also separately for each experiment, together with their total uncertainties and their breakdown into the four components described in the text. The expected uncertainties in the measurements are also shown.
The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a $Z$ boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision data sets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140 fb$^{-1}$ for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is $2.2\pm0.7$ times the Standard Model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.
The negative profile log-likelihood test statistic, where $\Lambda$ represents the likelihood ratio, as a function of the signal strength $\mu$ derived from the ATLAS data, the CMS data, and the combined result.
A search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson as well as searches for dark matter candidates, produced together with a leptonically decaying $Z$ boson, are presented. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, delivered by the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ and recorded by the ATLAS experiment. Assuming Standard Model cross-sections for $ZH$ production, the observed (expected) upper limit on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to invisible particles is found to be 19% (19%) at the 95% confidence level. Exclusion limits are also set for simplified dark matter models and two-Higgs-doublet models with an additional pseudoscalar mediator.
The expected exclusion contours as a function of (m(med), m($\chi$)), with Axial-vector mediator)
The observed exclusion contours as a function of (m(med), m($\chi$)), with Axial-vector mediator)
The expected exclusion contours as a function of (m(med), m($\chi$)), with Vector mediator)
Searches for new resonances in the diphoton final state, with spin 0 as predicted by theories with an extended Higgs sector and with spin 2 using a warped extra-dimension benchmark model, are presented using 139 fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV $pp$ collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. No significant deviation from the Standard Model is observed and upper limits are placed on the production cross-section times branching ratio to two photons as a function of the resonance mass.
The expected and observed upper limits at 95\% CL on the fiducial cross-section times branching ratio to two photons of a narrow-width (Γ_X = 4 MeV) spin-0 resonance as a function of its mass m_X. For masses greater than 1000 GeV, pseudo-experiments are used to verify the expected and observed limits, and used in place of the asymptotic limit when differences are observed.
The expected and observed upper limits at 95\% CL on the production cross-section times branching ratio to two photons of the lightest KK graviton as a function of its mass for k/Mpl=0.10. For masses greater than 1000 GeV, pseudo-experiments are used to verify the expected and observed limits, and used in place of the asymptotic limit when differences are observed.
Expected and observed limits computed using asymptotic formulas as a function of the signal mass m_{X} and the relative width $\Gamma_{X}/m_{X}$ for the spin-0 resonance search.
A search is presented for the production of the Standard Model Higgs boson in association with a high-energy photon. With a focus on the vector-boson fusion process and the dominant Higgs boson decay into $b$-quark pairs, the search benefits from a large reduction of multijet background compared to more inclusive searches. Results are reported from the analysis of 132 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s}$=13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measured Higgs boson signal yield in this final-state signature is $1.3 \pm 1.0$ times the Standard Model prediction. The observed significance of the Higgs boson signal above the background is 1.3 standard deviations, compared to an expected significance of 1.0 standard deviations.
Comparisons of data and simulated event distributions of the BDT input variable \(\Delta \eta_{jj}\) in the two \(m_{bb}\) sidebands after kinematic reweighting of the non-resonant \(b\bar{b}\gamma jj\) background. The data are shown as black points, and the background contributions are stacked in coloured histograms. The Higgs boson signal contribution is scaled up and represented by the dashed red line. The bottom panel in each plot shows the ratio of the data to the SM prediction, where the uncertainty band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty only.
Comparisons of data and simulated event distributions of the BDT input variable \(p_{\text{T}}^{\text{balance}}\) in the two \(m_{bb}\) sidebands after kinematic reweighting of the non-resonant \(b\bar{b}\gamma jj\) background. The data are shown as black points, and the background contributions are stacked in coloured histograms. The Higgs boson signal contribution is scaled up and represented by the dashed red line. The bottom panel in each plot shows the ratio of the data to the SM prediction, where the uncertainty band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty only.
The \(m_{bb}\) distributions in the HighBDT categories, overlaid with contributions from the \(H\gamma jj\) signal as well as the resonant \(Z\gamma jj\) and non-resonant \(b\bar{b} \gamma jj\) background fits. The combined \(\chi^2\) per degree of freedom is \(45.2/45\). The bottom panel in each plot presents the significance of the Higgs boson signal relative to the non-resonant \(b\bar{b} \gamma jj\) background in each bin.
This search, a type not previously performed at ATLAS, uses a comparison of the production cross sections for $e^+ \mu^-$ and $e^- \mu^+$ pairs to constrain physics processes beyond the Standard Model. It uses $139 \text{fb}^{-1}$ of proton$-$proton collision data recorded at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV at the LHC. Targeting sources of new physics which prefer final states containing $e^{+}\mu^{-}$ to $e^{-}\mu^{+}$, the search contains two broad signal regions which are used to provide model-independent constraints on the ratio of cross sections at the 2% level. The search also has two special selections targeting supersymmetric models and leptoquark signatures. Observations using one of these selections are able to exclude, at 95% confidence level, singly produced smuons with masses up to 640 GeV in a model in which the only other light sparticle is a neutralino when the $R$-parity-violating coupling $\lambda'_{231}$ is close to unity. Observations using the other selection exclude scalar leptoquarks with masses below 1880 GeV when $g_{\text{1R}}^{eu}=g_{\text{1R}}^{\mu c}=1$, at 95% confidence level. The limit on the coupling reduces to $g_{\text{1R}}^{eu}=g_{\text{1R}}^{\mu c}=0.46$ for a mass of 1420 GeV.
Observed yields, and (post-fit) expected yields for the data-driven SM estimates. Yields are shown for the benchmark RPV-supersymmetry signal points in SR-RPV and the leptoquark signal points in SR-LQ after a fit excluding the $e^{+}\mu^{-}$ signal region and setting $\mu_{\text{sig}}=1$. Small weights correcting for muon charge biases affect all rows except that containing the fake-lepton estimate. These weights, $w_i$, cause non-integer yields. The uncertainties, $\sqrt{\sum_i w_i^2}$, are given for data to support the choice made to model the yields with a Poisson distribution.
The observed exclusion contour at 95% CL as a function of the smuon and neutralino masses, for $\lambda_{231}^{'}=1.0$.
The expected exclusion contour at 95% CL as a function of the smuon and neutralino masses, for $\lambda_{231}^{'}=1.0$.
A measurement of off-shell Higgs boson production in the $H^*\to ZZ\to 4\ell$ decay channel is presented. The measurement uses 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider and supersedes the previous result in this decay channel using the same dataset. The data analysis is performed using a neural simulation-based inference method, which builds per-event likelihood ratios using neural networks. The observed (expected) off-shell Higgs boson production signal strength in the $ZZ\to 4\ell$ decay channel at 68% CL is $0.87^{+0.75}_{-0.54}$ ($1.00^{+1.04}_{-0.95}$). The evidence for off-shell Higgs boson production using the $ZZ\to 4\ell$ decay channel has an observed (expected) significance of $2.5\sigma$ ($1.3\sigma$). The expected result represents a significant improvement relative to that of the previous analysis of the same dataset, which obtained an expected significance of $0.5\sigma$. When combined with the most recent ATLAS measurement in the $ZZ\to 2\ell 2\nu$ decay channel, the evidence for off-shell Higgs boson production has an observed (expected) significance of $3.7\sigma$ ($2.4\sigma$). The off-shell measurements are combined with the measurement of on-shell Higgs boson production to obtain constraints on the Higgs boson total width. The observed (expected) value of the Higgs boson width at 68% CL is $4.3^{+2.7}_{-1.9}$ ($4.1^{+3.5}_{-3.4}$) MeV.
Values of the test statistic $t_{\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}}$ assuming a single parameter of interest $\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}$ obtained with an Asimov dataset and with data in the $H^*\rightarrow ZZ\rightarrow 4\ell$ decay channel. The values from the histogram-based analysis (Phys. Lett. B 846 (2023) 138223) are added for comparison. The 68% and 95% confidence intervals obtained from the Neyman construction are also added.
Values of the test statistic $t_{\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}}$ assuming a single parameter of interest $\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}$ obtained with an Asimov dataset and with data in the $H^*\rightarrow ZZ\rightarrow 4\ell$ decay channel. The values with all nuisance parameters fixed at their best-fit values (stat-only) are added for comparison. The 68% and 95% confidence intervals obtained from the Neyman construction are also added.
Values of the test statistic $t_{\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}}$ assuming a single parameter of interest $\mu_{\mathrm{off-shell}}$ obtained with an Asimov dataset and with data when combining the $H^*\rightarrow ZZ\rightarrow 4\ell$ and $H^*\rightarrow ZZ\rightarrow 2\ell 2\nu$ decay channels. The values with all nuisance parameters fixed at their best-fit values (stat-only) are added for comparison. The 68% and 95% confidence intervals obtained from the Neyman construction are also added.
Measurements of jet substructure are key to probing the energy frontier at colliders, and many of them use track-based observables which take advantage of the angular precision of tracking detectors. Theoretical calculations of track-based observables require `track functions', which characterize the transverse momentum fraction $r_q$ carried by charged hadrons from a fragmenting quark or gluon. This letter presents a direct measurement of $r_q$ distributions in dijet events from the 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. The data are corrected for detector effects using machine-learning methods. The scale evolution of the moments of the $r_q$ distribution is sensitive to non-linear renormalization group evolution equations of QCD, and is compared with analytic predictions. When incorporated into future theoretical calculations, these results will enable a precision program of theory-data comparison for track-based jet substructure observables.
$r_{q}$, Gluon jets, $240\text{GeV} \leq p_T < 300~\text{GeV}$, Gluon $\eta$, Fig 5
$r_{q}$, Gluon jets, $300~\text{GeV} \leq p_T < 400~\text{GeV}$, Gluon $\eta$, Fig 5
$r_{q}$, Gluon jets, $400~\text{GeV} \leq p_T < 500~\text{GeV}$, Gluon $\eta$, Fig 5
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