This Letter presents a constraint on the total width of the Higgs boson ($\Gamma_H$) using a combined measurement of on-shell Higgs boson production and the production of four top quarks, which involves contributions from off-shell Higgs boson-mediated processes. This method relies on the assumption that the tree-level Higgs-top Yukawa coupling strength is the same for on-shell and off-shell Higgs boson production processes, thereby avoiding any assumptions about the relationship between on-shell and off-shell gluon fusion Higgs production rates, which were central to previous measurements. The result is based on up to 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limit on $\Gamma_H$ is 450 MeV (75 MeV). Additionally, considering the constraint on the Higgs-top Yukawa coupling from loop-induced Higgs boson production and decay processes further yields an observed (expected) upper limit of 160 MeV (55 MeV).
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.
A measurement of the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with a $W$ or $Z$ boson and decaying into a pair of $\tau$-leptons is presented. This search is based on proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. For the Higgs boson candidate, only final states with at least one $\tau$-lepton decaying hadronically ($\tau\rightarrow \mathrm{hadrons} + \nu_\tau$) are considered. For the vector bosons, only leptonic decay channels are considered: $Z \rightarrow \ell\ell$ and $W\rightarrow \ell\nu_\ell$, with $\ell=e,\mu$. An excess of events over the expected background is found with an observed (expected) significance of 4.2 (3.6) standard deviations, providing evidence of the Higgs boson produced in association with a vector boson and decaying into a pair of $\tau$-leptons. The ratio of the measured cross-section to the Standard Model prediction is $\mu_{\text{VH}}^{\tau\tau} = 1.28\ ^{+0.30}_{-0.29}\ (\mathrm{stat.})\ ^{+0.25}_{-0.21}\ (\mathrm{syst.})$. This result represents the most accurate measurement of the \vh process achieved to date.
Inclusive cross-sections for top-quark pair production in association with charm quarks are measured with proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC between 2015 and 2018. The measurements are performed by requiring one or two charged leptons (electrons and muons), two $b$-tagged jets, and at least one additional jet in the final state. A custom flavor-tagging algorithm is employed for the simultaneous identification of $b$-jets and $c$-jets. In a fiducial phase space that replicates the acceptance of the ATLAS detector, the cross-sections for $t\bar{t}+ {\geq} 2c$ and $t\bar{t}+1c$ production are measured to be $1.28^{+0.27}_{-0.24}\;\text{pb}$ and $6.4^{+1.0}_{-0.9}\;\text{pb}$, respectively. The measurements are primarily limited by uncertainties in the modeling of inclusive $t\bar{t}$ and $t\bar{t}+b\bar{b}$ production, in the calibration of the flavor-tagging algorithm, and by data statistics. Cross-section predictions from various $t\bar{t}$ simulations are largely consistent with the measured cross-section values, though all underpredict the observed values by 0.5 to 2.0 standard deviations. In a phase-space volume without requirements on the $t\bar{t}$ decay products and the jet multiplicity, the cross-section ratios of $t\bar{t}+ {\geq} 2c$ and $t\bar{t}+1c$ to total $t\bar{t}+\text{jets}$ production are determined to be $(1.23 \pm 0.25) \%$ and $(8.8 \pm 1.3) \%$.
Measured cross-section values in the fiducial phase space and inclusive volume for the various $t\bar{t}+jets$ categories.
Post-fit agreement between data and MC prediction for $SR_{\mathrm{loose}}^{1\ell5j}$ signal region, which uses the invariant mass of the two geometrically closest c-tagged jets, $m_{\mathit{cc}}^{\mathrm{min}\Delta R}$, as an observable. The hatched uncertainty bands include all uncertainties and their correlations. The last bins contain overflow events. "Other Top" includes single-top-quark production and associated production of $t\bar{t}$ and single top quarks with bosons. "Non-Top" includes W+jets, Z+jets, and diboson processes.
Post-fit agreement between data and MC prediction for the $SR_{\mathrm{tight}}^{1\ell5j}$ signal region, which uses the invariant mass of the two geometrically closest jets tagged with c@11%, $m_{\mathit{cc}}^{\mathrm{min}\Delta R}$, as an observable. The hatched uncertainty bands include all uncertainties and their correlations. The last bins contain overflow events. "Other Top" includes single-top-quark production and associated production of $t\bar{t}$ and single top quarks with bosons. "Non-Top" includes W+jets, Z+jets, and diboson processes.
The production cross-section of high-mass $\tau$-lepton pairs is measured as a function of the dilepton visible invariant mass, using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV proton-proton collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement agrees with the predictions of the Standard Model. A fit to the invariant mass distribution is performed as a function of $b$-jet multiplicity, to constrain the non-resonant production of new particles described by an effective field theory or in models containing leptoquarks or $Z'$ bosons that couple preferentially to third-generation fermions. The constraints on new particles improve on previous results, and the constraints on effective operators include those affecting the anomalous magnetic moment of the $\tau$-lepton.
The measured unfolded differential cross sections.
The combined covariance matrix for the differential cross-section distribution.
Statistical covariance matrix for the differential cross-section distribution.
A search is performed for resonant and non-resonant Higgs boson pair production in the $\gamma\gamma b\bar{b}$ final state. The data set used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess relative to the Standard Model expectation is observed. The observed limit on the non-resonant Higgs boson pair cross-section is 0.73 pb at 95% confidence level. This observed limit is equivalent to 22 times the predicted Standard Model cross-section. The Higgs boson self-coupling ($\kappa_\lambda = \lambda_{HHH} / \lambda_{HHH}^{\rm SM}$) is constrained at 95% confidence level to $-8.2 < \kappa_\lambda < 13.2$. For resonant Higgs boson pair production through X $\rightarrow$ HH $\rightarrow$ $\gamma\gamma b\bar{b}$, the limit is presented, using the narrow-width approximation, as a function of $m_X$ in the range 260 GeV $< m_X <$ 1000 GeV. The observed limits range from 1.1 pb to 0.12 pb over this mass range.
The 95% CL observed and expected limits on the Higgs boson pair cross-section in picobarn and as a multiple of the SM production cross-section. The expected 1 sigma CLs bands are also indicated.
Expected and observed upper limits at the 95% CL on the cross-section of gluon-fusion initiated Higgs boson pair production as a function of $\kappa_{\lambda}$.
Expected and observed upper limits at the 95% CL on the cross-section of gluon-fusion initiated resonant production of a Higgs boson pair as a function of the mass of the resonance, $m_X$.
A search for Higgs boson pair production via vector-boson fusion is performed in the Lorentz-boosted regime, where a Higgs boson candidate is reconstructed as a single large-radius jet, using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Only Higgs boson decays into bottom quark pairs are considered. The search is particularly sensitive to the quartic coupling between two vector bosons and two Higgs bosons relative to its Standard Model prediction, $\kappa_{2V}$. This study constrains $\kappa_{2V}$ to $0.55 < \kappa_{2V} < 1.49$ at 95% confidence level. The value $\kappa_{2V} = 0$ is excluded with a significance of 3.8 standard deviations with other Higgs boson couplings fixed to their Standard Model values. A search for new heavy spin-0 resonances that would mediate Higgs boson pair production via vector-boson fusion is carried out in the mass range of 1-5 TeV for the first time under several model and decay-width assumptions. No significant deviation from the Standard Model hypothesis is observed and exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are derived.
Observed and expected 95% CL exclusion limits on the production cross-sections of the combined VBF HH process as a function of $\kappa_{2V}$ . The expected exclusion limits assume no HH production and are obtained using a fit to the data with the background-only hypothesis. The red line shows the theory prediction for the VBF HH cross-section as a function of $\kappa_{2V}$ where all other parameters and couplings are set to their SM values.
Observed and expected 95% CL exclusion limits on the production cross-sections of the combined HH process as a function of $\kappa_{\lambda}$ . The expected exclusion limits assume no HH production and are obtained using a fit to the data with the background-only hypothesis. The red line shows the theory prediction for the HH cross-section as a function of $\kappa_{\lambda}$ where all other parameters and couplings are set to their SM values.
This paper reports cross-section measurements of $ZZ$ production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13.6$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The data were collected by the ATLAS detector in 2022, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 29 fb$^-1$. Events in the $ZZ\rightarrow4\ell$ ($\ell = e$, $\mu$) final states are selected and used to measure the inclusive and differential cross-sections in a fiducial region defined close to the analysis selections. The inclusive cross-section is further extrapolated to the total phase space with a requirement of 66 $< m_Z <$ 116 GeV for both $Z$ bosons, yielding $16.8 \pm 1.1$ pb. The results are well described by the Standard Model predictions.
The measured differential cross-sections compared to the predictions in the $m_{4\ell}$ bins
The measured differential cross-sections compared to the predictions in the $p_T^{4\ell}$ bins
A combination of searches for singly and doubly charged Higgs bosons, $H^{\pm}$ and $H^{\pm\pm}$, produced via vector-boson fusion is performed using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. Searches targeting decays to massive vector bosons in leptonic final states (electrons or muons) are considered. New constraints are reported on the production cross-section times branching fraction for charged Higgs boson masses between 200 GeV and 3000 GeV. The results are interpreted in the context of the Georgi-Machacek model for which the most stringent constraints to date are set for the masses considered in the combination.
Post-fit $m_{\mathrm{WZ}}$ distribution in the signal region for the SM background-only hypothesis. Data are shown as black markers with vertical error bars representing the statistical uncertainty. Filled histograms show contributions of various SM processes, with the hatched band representing the total uncertainty. The line shows the prediction of the GM model for $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}} = 0.17$ and $m_{\mathrm{H_5}} = 375$ GeV, where the $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}}$ value corresponds to the expected $95\%$ CL limit for that $H_5$ mass.
Post-fit $m_{\mathrm{WZ}}$ distribution in the signal region for the SM background-only hypothesis. Data are shown as black markers with vertical error bars representing the statistical uncertainty. Filled histograms show contributions of various SM processes, with the hatched band representing the total uncertainty. The line shows the prediction of the GM model for $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}} = 0.17$ and $m_{\mathrm{H_5}} = 375$ GeV, where the $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}}$ value corresponds to the expected $95\%$ CL limit for that $H_5$ mass.
Post-fit $m_{\mathrm{T}}$ distribution in the signal region for the SM background-only hypothesis. Data are shown as black markers with vertical error bars representing the statistical uncertainty. Filled histograms show contributions of various SM processes, with the hatched band representing the total uncertainty. The line shows the prediction of the GM model for $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}} = 0.17$ and $m_{\mathrm{H_5}} = 375$ GeV, where the $\sin \theta_{\mathrm{H}}$ value corresponds to the expected $95\%$ CL limit for that $H_5$ mass.
A search for pair-production of vector-like leptons is presented, considering their decays into a third-generation Standard Model (SM) quark and a vector leptoquark ($U_1$) as predicted by an ultraviolet-complete extension of the SM, referred to as the '4321' model. Given the assumed decay of $U_1$ into third-generation SM fermions, the final state can contain multiple $\tau$-leptons and $b$-quarks. This search is based on a dataset of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to 140 fb$^{-1}$. No significant excess above the SM background prediction is observed, and 95% confidence level limits on the cross-section times branching ratio are derived as a function of the vector-like lepton mass. A lower observed (expected) limit of 910 GeV (970 GeV) is set on the vector-like lepton mass. Additionally, the results are interpreted for a supersymmetric model with an $R$-parity violating coupling to the third-generation quarks and leptons. Lower observed (expected) limits are obtained on the higgsino mass at 880 GeV (940 GeV) and on the wino mass at 1170 GeV (1170 GeV).
Observed (solid line with markers) and expected (dashed line) 95% CL upper limits on the VLL pair production cross-section (σ<sub>VLL</sub>) times branching ratio (BR) to third generation quarks and leptons as a function of m<sub>VLL</sub>. The limits presented in black lines are obtained after combining all five signal regions. The inner green (outer yellow) band corresponds to the ±1 σ (±2 σ) uncertainty around the combined expected limit. The 95% CL expected upper limits in the three individual channels (1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MST, 1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b BJET and ≥2τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MSDT) are shown for comparison. The solid red line represents the theory prediction of the VLL pair production cross-section at NLO in QCD.
Observed (solid line with markers) and expected (dashed line) 95% CL upper limits on the higgsino pair production cross-section (σ<sub>higgsino</sub>) times branching ratio (BR) to third generation quarks and leptons as a function of m<sub>higgsino</sub>. The limits presented in black lines are obtained after combining all five signal regions. The inner green (outer yellow) band corresponds to the ±1 σ (±2 σ) uncertainty around the combined expected limit. The 95% CL expected upper limits in the three individual channels (1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MST, 1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b BJET and ≥2τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MSDT) are shown for comparison. The solid red line represents the theory prediction of the higgsino pair production cross-section at NLO in QCD.
Observed (solid line with markers) and expected (dashed line) 95% CL upper limits on the wino pair production cross-section (σ<sub>wino</sub>) times branching ratio (BR) to third generation quarks and leptons as a function of m<sub>wino</sub>. The limits presented in black lines are obtained after combining all five signal regions. The surrounding inner green (outer yellow) band corresponds to the ±1 σ (±2 σ) uncertainty around the combined expected limit. The 95% CL expected upper limits in the three individual channels (1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MST, 1τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b BJET and ≥2τ<sub>had</sub> ≥3b MSDT) are shown for comparison. The solid red line represents the theory prediction of the wino pair production cross-section at NLO in QCD.
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