A search is conducted for a low-mass charged Higgs boson produced in a top quark decay and subsequently decaying into a charm and a strange quark. The data sample was recorded in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. The search is performed in the process of top quark pair production, where one top quark decays to a bottom quark and a charged Higgs boson, and the other to a bottom quark and a W boson. With the W boson decaying to a charged lepton (electron or muon) and a neutrino, the final state comprises an isolated lepton, missing transverse momentum, and at least four jets, of which two are tagged as b jets. To enhance the search sensitivity, one of the jets originating from the charged Higgs boson is required to satisfy a charm tagging selection. No significant excess beyond standard model predictions is found in the dijet invariant mass distribution. An upper limit in the range 1.68-0.25% is set on the branching fraction of the top quark decay to the charged Higgs boson and bottom quark for a charged Higgs boson mass between 80 and 160 GeV.
Expected and observed 95% CL exclusion limits in % on BR(t->H+ b) for the muon channel after the individual charm tagging categories have been combined.
Expected and observed 95% CL exclusion limits in % on BR(t->H+ b) for the electron channel after the individual charm tagging categories have been combined.
Expected and observed 95% CL exclusion limits in % on BR(t->H+ b) after the individual charm tagging categories and the muon and electron channels have been combined.
A search for heavy neutral lepton ($N$) production in $K^+\to e^+N$ decays using the data sample collected by the NA62 experiment at CERN in 2017--2018 is reported. Upper limits of the extended neutrino mixing matrix element $|U_{e4}|^2$ are established at the level of $10^{-9}$ over most of the accessible heavy neutral lepton mass range 144--462 MeV/$c^2$, with the assumption that the lifetime exceeds 50 ns. These limits improve significantly upon those of previous production and decay searches. The $|U_{e4}|^2$ range favoured by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis is excluded up to a mass of about 340 MeV/$c^2$.
See caption of Fig 6.
The factor of four increase in the LHC luminosity, from $0.5\times 10^{34}\,\textrm{cm}^{-2}\textrm{s}^{-1}$ to $2.0\times 10^{34}\textrm{cm}^{-2}\textrm{s}^{-1}$, and the corresponding increase in pile-up collisions during the 2015-2018 data-taking period, presented a challenge for ATLAS to trigger on missing transverse momentum. The output data rate at fixed threshold typically increases exponentially with the number of pile-up collisions, so the legacy algorithms from previous LHC data-taking periods had to be tuned and new approaches developed to maintain the high trigger efficiency achieved in earlier operations. A study of the trigger performance and comparisons with simulations show that these changes resulted in event selection efficiencies of >98% for this period, meeting and in some cases exceeding the performance of similar triggers in earlier run periods, while at the same time keeping the necessary bandwidth within acceptable limits.
A comparison of the measured cell $E_T^{miss}$ distribution with that predicted by the two-component model for two pile-up scenarios. The magenta points extend the measured distribution using L1 $E_T^{miss} > 30\,$GeV and L1 $E_T^{miss} > 50\,$GeV data. The red curve is the prediction from the calorimeter-resolution part of the model. The green curve is the high $E_T^{miss}$ tail's probability distribution for the mean number of $pp$ interactions $\mu$ in each figure. The blue curve is the full model prediction computed by combining the $E_T^{miss}$ from these two individual sources shown in red and green, each calculated for $\mu=\langle\mu\rangle$. The black points show the unbiased $E_T^{miss}$ distribution measured in data. Corresponds to a prediction for $\langle\mu\rangle = 25$.
A comparison of the measured cell $E_T^{miss}$ distribution with that predicted by the two-component model for two pile-up scenarios. The magenta points extend the measured distribution using L1 $E_T^{miss} > 30\,$GeV and L1 $E_T^{miss} > 50\,$GeV data. The red curve is the prediction from the calorimeter-resolution part of the model. The green curve is the high $E_T^{miss}$ tail's probability distribution for the mean number of $pp$ interactions $\mu$ in each figure. The blue curve is the full model prediction computed by combining the $E_T^{miss}$ from these two individual sources shown in red and green, each calculated for $\mu=\langle\mu\rangle$. The black points show the unbiased $E_T^{miss}$ distribution measured in data. Corresponds to a prediction for $\langle\mu\rangle = 25$.
A comparison of the measured cell $E_T^{miss}$ distribution with that predicted by the two-component model for two pile-up scenarios. The magenta points extend the measured distribution using L1 $E_T^{miss} > 30\,$GeV and L1 $E_T^{miss} > 50\,$GeV data. The red curve is the prediction from the calorimeter-resolution part of the model. The green curve is the high $E_T^{miss}$ tail's probability distribution for the mean number of $pp$ interactions $\mu$ in each figure. The blue curve is the full model prediction computed by combining the $E_T^{miss}$ from these two individual sources shown in red and green, each calculated for $\mu=\langle\mu\rangle$. The black points show the unbiased $E_T^{miss}$ distribution measured in data. Corresponds to a prediction for $\langle\mu\rangle = 25$.
Measurements of the inclusive J/$\psi$ yield as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density ${\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/\rm{d}\eta$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with ALICE at the LHC are reported. The J/$\psi$ meson yield is measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.9$) in the dielectron channel, for events selected based on the charged-particle multiplicity at midrapidity ($|\eta|<1$) and at forward rapidity ($-3.7<\eta<-1.7$ and $2.8<\eta<5.1$); both observables are normalized to their corresponding averages in minimum bias events. The increase of the normalized J/$\psi$ yield with normalized ${\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/\rm{d}\eta$ is significantly stronger than linear and dependent on the transverse momentum. The data are compared to theoretical predictions, which describe the observed trends well, albeit not always quantitatively.
$N_{J/psi}/<N_{J/\psi}> / N_{ch}/<N_{ch}>$, $|y^{J/\psi}|<0.9$, $p_{T}^{J/\psi}$ integrated, event selection SPD
$N_{J/psi}/<N_{J/\psi}> / N_{ch}/<N_{ch}>$, $|y^{J/\psi}|<0.9$, $p_{T}^{J/\psi}$ integrated, event selection V0
$N_{J/psi}/<N_{J/\psi}> / N_{ch}/<N_{ch}>$, $|y^{J/\psi}|<0.9$, $p_{T}^{J/\psi}$ 0-4 and 4-8 GeV/c, event selection SPD
In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of $0.3 \leq p < 4$ GeV/$c$. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of antiparticles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers $\langle A \rangle$ = 17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parameterization used in GEANT4 in the lowest momentum interval of $0.3 \leq p < 0.47$ GeV/$c$ up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.
Raw primary antiproton-to-proton ratio as a function of the momentum p_primary.
Raw primary antiproton-to-proton ratio from Geant4-based MC simulations as a function of the momentum p_primary.
Raw primary antideuteron-to-deuteron ratio as a function of the momentum p_primary.
The first measurements of the scattering parameters of $\Lambda$K pairs in all three charge combinations ($\Lambda$K$^{+}$, $\Lambda$K$^{-}$, and $\Lambda\mathrm{K^{0}_{S}}$) are presented. The results are achieved through a femtoscopic analysis of $\Lambda$K correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV recorded by ALICE at the LHC. The femtoscopic correlations result from strong final-state interactions, and are fit with a parametrization allowing for both the characterization of the pair emission source and the measurement of the scattering parameters for the particle pairs. Extensive studies with the THERMINATOR 2 event generator provide a good description of the non-femtoscopic background, which results mainly from collective effects, with unprecedented precision. Furthermore, together with HIJING simulations, this model is used to account for contributions from residual correlations induced by feed-down from particle decays. The extracted scattering parameters indicate that the strong force is repulsive in the $\Lambda\rm{K}^{+}$ interaction and attractive in the $\Lambda\rm{K}^{-}$ interaction. The data hint that the and $\Lambda\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$ interaction is attractive, however the uncertainty of the result does not permit such a decisive conclusion. The results suggest an effect arising either from different quark-antiquark interactions between the pairs ($\rm s\overline{s}$ in $\Lambda$K$^{+}$ and $\rm u\overline{u}$ in $\Lambda$K$^{-}$) or from different net strangeness for each system (S = 0 for $\Lambda$K$^{+}$, and S = $-2$ for $\Lambda$K$^{-}$). Finally, the $\Lambda$K systems exhibit source radii larger than expected from extrapolation from identical particle femtoscopic studies. This effect is interpreted as resulting from the separation in space-time of the single-particle $\Lambda$ and K source distributions.
Invariant mass distributions in the 0--10\% centrality interval of (a) p$\uppi^{-}$ pairs showing the $\Lambda$ peak for V$^{0}$ candidates.
Invariant mass distributions in the 0--10\% centrality interval of $\uppi^{+}\uppi^{-}$ pairs showing the $\mathrm{K^{0}_{S}}$ peak for V$^{0}$ candidates.
Measured correlation function for the $\Lambda\mathrm{K^{+}}\oplus\overline{\Lambda}\mathrm{K^{-}}$ system in the 0--10\% centrality interval.
The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity ($|y|$$<$ 0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parameterized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, $v_{\rm 2}$. The $v_{\rm 2}$ coefficient of electrons from beauty-hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) range 1.3-6 GeV/$c$ in the centrality class 30-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length $c\tau \approx$ 500 $\mu$m compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The $v_{\rm 2}$ of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75$\sigma$. The results provide insights on the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavoured by the measurement at high $p_{\rm{T}}$, but is in agreement with the results at low $p_{\rm{T}}$. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly-interacting medium describe the measurement.
$v_{2}$ of electrons from beauty hadron decays as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ in the centrality range 30-50% for $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02 {\rm~TeV}$
The production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$, $\rm{p}$, $\phi(1020)$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$, $\Omega^{-}$, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions of $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\Lambda$, and $\overline{\Lambda}$ in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range $0\leq p_{\rm{T}}\leq20$ GeV/$c$, depending on the particle species. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower $\sqrt{s}$ and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high $p_{\rm{T}}$ with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and $x_{\rm{T}}\equiv2p_{\rm{T}}/\sqrt{s}$ scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 to 13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of $\sqrt{s}$, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential cross sections of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for $\pi^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) at high $p_{\rm{T}}$.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $\pi^{+} + \pi^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{+} + K^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{0}_{S}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
The elliptic and triangular flow coefficients $v_2$ and $v_3$ of prompt D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons were measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.8$) in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D mesons were reconstructed via their hadronic decays in the transverse momentum interval $1< p_{\rm T}<36$ GeV/$c$ in central (0-10%) and semi-central (30-50%) collisions. Compared to pions, protons, and J/$\psi$ mesons, the average D-meson $v_{n}$ harmonics are compatible within uncertainties with a mass hierarchy for $p_{\rm T} \lesssim 3$ GeV/$c$, and are similar to those of charged pions for higher $p_{\rm T}$. The coupling of the charm quark to the light quarks in the underlying medium is further investigated with the application of the event-shape engineering (ESE) technique to the D-meson $v_2$ and $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields. The D-meson $v_2$ is correlated with average bulk elliptic flow in both central and semi-central collisions. Within the current precision, the ratios of per-event D-meson yields in the ESE-selected and unbiased samples are found to be compatible with unity. All the measurements are found to be reasonably well described by theoretical calculations including the effects of charm-quark transport and the recombination of charm quarks with light quarks in a hydrodynamically expanding medium.
Average $v_2${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
Average $v_2${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 30-50% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
Average $v_3${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
The polarization of inclusive J/$\psi$ and $\Upsilon(1{\rm S})$ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV at the LHC is measured with the ALICE detector. The study is carried out by reconstructing the quarkonium through its decay to muon pairs in the rapidity region $2.5
J/$\psi$ polarization parameters, measured for Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames in the rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$.The first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.
J/$\psi$ polarization parameters, measured for Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames in the rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$.The first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.
J/$\psi$ polarization parameters, measured for Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames in the rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$.The first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.