A search is presented for the pair production of heavy vector-like $B$ quarks, primarily targeting $B$ quark decays into a $W$ boson and a top quark. The search is based on $36.1$ $fb^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded in 2015 and 2016 with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Data are analysed in the lepton-plus-jets final state, characterised by a high-transverse-momentum isolated electron or muon, large missing transverse momentum, and multiple jets, of which at least one is $b$-tagged. No significant deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed. The 95% confidence level lower limit on the $B$ mass is 1350 GeV assuming a 100% branching ratio to $Wt$. In the SU(2) singlet scenario, the lower mass limit is 1170 GeV. This search is also sensitive to a heavy vector-like $B$ quark decaying into other final states ($Zb$ and $Hb$) and thus mass limits on $B$ production are set as a function of the decay branching ratios. The 100% branching ratio limits are found to be also applicable to heavy vector-like $X$ production, with charge $+$5/3, that decay into $Wt$.
The hadronically decaying VLB candidate mass in the RECOSR region after the maximum likelihood fit in the two signal regions overlayed with the pre-fit VLB signal
The BDT discriminant in the BDTSR region after the maximum likelihood fit in the two signal regions overlayed with the pre-fit VLB signal
Expected and observed upper limits at the 95% CL on the BB cross section as a function of B quark mass under the assumption of BR(B->Wt)=1.
This paper describes a search for pairs of neutral, long-lived particles decaying in the ATLAS calorimeter. Long-lived particles occur in many extensions to the Standard Model and may elude searches for new promptly decaying particles. The analysis considers neutral, long-lived scalars with masses between 5 GeV and 400 GeV, produced from decays of heavy bosons with masses between 125 GeV and 1000 GeV, where the long-lived scalars decay into Standard Model fermions. The analysis uses either 10.8 fb$^{-1}$ or 33.0 fb$^{-1}$ of data (depending on the trigger) recorded in 2016 at the LHC with the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess is observed, and limits are reported on the production cross section times branching ratio as a function of the proper decay length of the long-lived particles.
Trigger efficiency of simulated signal events as a function of the LLP $p_T$ for a selection of signal samples.
Trigger efficiency of simulated signal events as a function of the LLP decay position in the $x-y$ plane for LLPs decaying in the HCal barrel for three signal samples.
Trigger efficiency of simulated signal events as a function of the LLP decay position in the $z$ direction for LLPs decaying in the HCal endcaps for three signal samples.
A measurement of jet substructure variables is presented using data collected in 2016 by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC with proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. Large-radius jets groomed with the trimming and soft-drop algorithms are studied. Dedicated event selections are used to study jets produced by light quarks or gluons, and hadronically decaying top quarks and $W$ bosons. The variables measured are sensitive to pronged substructure, and therefore are typically used for tagging jets from boosted massive particles. These include the energy correlation functions and the $N$-subjettiness variables. The number of subjets and the Les Houches angularity are also considered. The distributions of the substructure variables, corrected for detector effects, are compared to the predictions of various Monte Carlo event generators. They are also compared between the large-radius jets originating from light quarks or gluons, and hadronically decaying top quarks and $W$ bosons.
Figure 3a, Normalised differential Nsubjets distribution for soft-drop groomed jets, Dijet selection.
Figure 4a, Normalised differential LHA distribution for soft-drop groomed jets, Dijet selection
Figure 5a, Normalised differential C2 distribution for soft-drop groomed jets, Dijet selection
This Letter presents a normalized differential cross-section measurement in a fiducial phase-space region where interference effects between top-quark pair production and associated production of a single top quark with a $W$ boson and a $b$-quark are significant. Events with exactly two leptons ($ee$, $\mu\mu$, or $e\mu$) and two $b$-tagged jets that satisfy a multi-particle invariant mass requirement are selected from $36.1$ fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data taken at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015 and 2016. The results are compared with predictions from simulations using various strategies for the interference. The standard prescriptions for interference modeling are significantly different from each other but are within $2\sigma$ of the data. State-of-the-art predictions that naturally incorporate interference effects provide the best description of the data in the measured region of phase space most sensitive to these effects. These results provide an important constraint on interference models and will guide future model development and tuning.
The minimax-mbl distribution in the three-b-tag region, constructed from the two b-jets with largest transverse momentum. The predicted tt+HF contribution from simulation is scaled to match observed data in this region. The hashed band indicates the uncertainty on the total number of predicted events, where the DR scheme is used to estimate the minor contribution from the tW process. Uncertainties include all statistical and systematic sources.
The detector-level minimax-mbl distribution, with signal selection and background estimation as described in the text. The total predicted events are shown for both the DR and DS definitions of the tW process, with uncertainties on the respective estimates indicated by separate error bars. Uncertainties include all statistical and systematic sources.
The unfolded, normalized differential minimax-mbl cross-section compared with theoretical models of the tt+tWb signal with various implementations of interference effects. The uncertainty of each data point includes all statistical and systematic sources, while uncertainties for each of the MC predictions correspond to variations of the PDF set and renormalization and factorization scales.
This paper presents measurements of the $W^+ \rightarrow \mu^+\nu$ and $W^- \rightarrow \mu^-\nu$ cross-sections and the associated charge asymmetry as a function of the absolute pseudorapidity of the decay muon. The data were collected in proton--proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC and correspond to a total integrated luminosity of $20.2~\mbox{fb$^{-1}$}$. The precision of the cross-section measurements varies between 0.8% to 1.5% as a function of the pseudorapidity, excluding the 1.9% uncertainty on the integrated luminosity. The charge asymmetry is measured with an uncertainty between 0.002 and 0.003. The results are compared with predictions based on next-to-next-to-leading-order calculations with various parton distribution functions and have the sensitivity to discriminate between them.
The correction factors, $C_{W^±,i}$ with their associated systematic uncertainties as a function of $|\eta_{\mu}|$, for $W^+$ and $W^−$
The integrated global correction factor $C_{W^±}$, for $W^+$ and $W^−$
Cross-sections (differential in $\eta_{\mu}$) and asymmetry, as a function of $|\eta_{\mu}|$). The central values are provided along with the statistical and dominant systematic uncertainties: the data statistical uncertainty (Data Stat.), the $E_T^{\textrm{miss}}$ uncertainty, the uncertainties related to muon reconstruction (Muon Reco.), those related to the background, those from MC statistics (MC Stat.), and modelling uncertainties. The uncertainties of the cross-sections are given in percent and those of the asymmetry as an absolute difference from the nominal.
The ratio of the cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production in $pp$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 13 and 8 TeV is measured using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The integrated luminosities of the 13 TeV and 8 TeV datasets are 3.2 fb$^{-1}$ and 20.2 fb$^{-1}$, respectively. The ratio is measured as a function of the photon transverse energy in different regions of the photon pseudorapidity. The predictions from next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations are compared with the measured ratio. The experimental systematic uncertainties as well as the uncertainties affecting the predictions are evaluated taking into account the correlations between the two centre-of-mass energies, resulting in a reduction of up to a factor of $2.5$ ($5$) in the experimental (theoretical) systematic uncertainties. The predictions based on several parameterisations of the proton parton distribution functions agree with the data within the reduced experimental and theoretical uncertainties. In addition, this ratio to that of the fiducial cross sections for $Z$ boson production at 13 and 8 TeV using the decay channels $Z \rightarrow e^+e^-$ and $Z \rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ is made and compared with the theoretical predictions. In this double ratio, a further reduction of the experimental uncertainty is obtained because the uncertainties arising from the luminosity measurement cancel out. The predictions describe the measurements of the double ratio within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties.
Measured ratio of cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $|\eta^{\gamma}|<0.6$.
Predicted ratio of cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $|\eta^{\gamma}|<0.6$.
Measured ratio of cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $0.6<|\eta^{\gamma}|<1.37$.
A search for a narrow scalar resonance decaying into an opposite-sign muon pair produced in events with and without $b$-tagged jets is presented in this paper. The search uses 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s}= 13$ TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. No significant excess of events above the expected Standard Model background is observed in the investigated mass range of 0.2 to 1.0 TeV. The observed upper limits at 95$\%$ confidence level on the cross section times branching ratio for $b$-quark associated production and gluon-gluon fusion are between 1.9 and 41 fb and 1.6 and 44 fb respectively, which is consistent with expectations.
The distribution of di-muon invariant mass in the b-tag signal region (SRbTag).
The distribution of di-muon invariant mass in the b-veto signal region (SRbVeto).
The 95% CL upper limits of the cross section times branching fraction of $\Phi \to \mu^+\mu^-$ for gluon-gluon fusion production
This Letter presents the observation and measurement of electroweak production of a same-sign $W$ boson pair in association with two jets using 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis is performed in the detector fiducial phase-space region, defined by the presence of two same-sign leptons, electron or muon, and at least two jets with a large invariant mass and rapidity difference. A total of 122 candidate events are observed for a background expectation of $69 \pm 7$ events, corresponding to an observed signal significance of 6.5 standard deviations. The measured fiducial signal cross section is $\sigma^{\mathrm {fid.}}=2.89^{+0.51}_{-0.48} \mathrm{(stat.)} ^{+0.29}_{-0.28} \mathrm{(syst.)}$ fb.
Measured fiducial cross section.
The $m_{jj}$ distribution for events meeting all selection criteria for the signal region. Signal and individual background distributions are shown as predicted after the fit. The last bin includes the overflow. The highest value measured in a candidate event in data is $m_{jj}=3.8$ TeV.
The $m_{ll}$ distribution for events meeting all selection criteria for the signal region as predicted after the fit. The fitted signal strength and nuisance parameters have been propagated, with the exception of the uncertainties due to the interference and electroweak corrections for which a flat uncertainty is assigned. The last bin includes the overflow. The highest value measured in a candidate event in data is $m_{ll}=824$ GeV.
A search for charged Higgs bosons heavier than the top quark and decaying via $H^\pm \rightarrow tb$ is presented. The data analysed corresponds to 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV and was recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015 and 2016. The production of a charged Higgs boson in association with a top quark and a bottom quark, $pp \rightarrow tb H^\pm$, is explored in the mass range from $m_{H^\pm}$ = 200 to 2000 GeV using multi-jet final states with one or two electrons or muons. Events are categorised according to the multiplicity of jets and how likely these are to have originated from hadronisation of a bottom quark. Multivariate techniques are used to discriminate between signal and background events. No significant excess above the background-only hypothesis is observed and exclusion limits are derived for the production cross-section times branching fraction of a charged Higgs boson as a function of its mass, which range from 2.9 pb at $m_{H^\pm}$ = 200 GeV to 0.070 pb at $m_{H^\pm}$ = 2000 GeV. The results are interpreted in two benchmark scenarios of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model.
Expected and observed limits for the production of $H^{+} \to tb$ in association with a top quark and a bottom quark. The bands surrounding the expected limit show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. The limits are based on the combination of the $\ell+$jets and $\ell\ell$ final states. Theory predictions are shown for three representative values of $\tan\beta$ in the $m_h^{\mathrm{mod-}}$ benchmark scenario. Uncertainties in the predicted $H^+$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
Expected and observed upper limits on $\tan\beta$ as a function of $m_{H^{+}}$ in the $m_h^{\mathrm{mod-}}$ scenario of the MSSM. Limits are shown for $\tan\beta$ values in the range of 0.5-60, where predictions are available from both scenarios. The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. The limits are based on the combination of the $\ell+$jets and $\ell\ell$ final states. The production cross-section of $t\bar{t}H$ and $tH$, as well as the branching ratios of the $H$, are fixed to their SM values at each point in the plane. Uncertainties on the predicted $H^{+}$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
Expected and observed lower limits on $\tan\beta$ as a function of $m_{H^{+}}$ in the $m_h^{\mathrm{mod-}}$ scenario of the MSSM. Limits are shown for $\tan\beta$ values in the range of 0.5-60, where predictions are available from both scenarios. The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. The limits are based on the combination of the $\ell+$jets and $\ell\ell$ final states. The production cross-section of $t\bar{t}H$ and $tH$, as well as the branching ratios of the $H$, are fixed to their SM values at each point in the plane. Uncertainties on the predicted $H^{+}$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
A combined measurement of differential and inclusive total cross sections of Higgs boson production is performed using 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data produced by the LHC and recorded by the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. Cross sections are obtained from measured $H \rightarrow \gamma \gamma$ and $H \rightarrow ZZ^* \rightarrow 4\ell$ event yields, which are combined taking into account detector efficiencies, resolution, acceptances and branching fractions. The total Higgs boson production cross section is measured to be 57.0$^{+6.0}_{-5.9}$ (stat.) $^{+4.0}_{-3.3}$ (syst.) pb, in agreement with the Standard Model prediction. Differential cross-section measurements are presented for the Higgs boson transverse momentum distribution, Higgs boson rapidity, number of jets produced together with the Higgs boson, and the transverse momentum of the leading jet. The results from the two decay channels are found to be compatible, and their combination agrees with the Standard Model predictions.
Differential cross sections in the full phase space obtained from the H->gammagamma and H->4l combined measurement for Higgs boson transverse momentum ptH. The NNLOPS ggF prediction scaled to the N3LO cross section is also provided.
Differential cross sections in the full phase space obtained from the H->gammagamma and H->4l combined measurement for the Higgs boson rapidity |yH|. The NNLOPS ggF prediction scaled to the N3LO cross section is also provided.
Differential cross sections in the full phase space obtained from the H->gammagamma and H->4l combined measurement for the number of jets Njets with pT > 30 GeV. The NNLOPS ggF prediction scaled to the N3LO cross section is also provided.