A search is presented for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production, targeting the $bbZZ$, 4$V$ ($V$ = $W$ or $Z$), $VV\tau\tau$, 4$\tau$, $\gamma\gamma VV$ and $\gamma\gamma\tau\tau$ decay channels. Events are categorised based on the multiplicity of light charged leptons (electrons or muons), hadronically decaying tau leptons, and photons. The search is based on a data sample of proton-proton 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 140 fb$^{-1}$. No evidence of the signal is found and the observed (expected) upper limit on the cross-section for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production is determined to be 17 (11) times the Standard Model predicted cross-section at 95% confidence level under the background-only hypothesis. The observed (expected) constraints on the $HHH$ coupling modifier, $\kappa_{\lambda}$, are determined to be $-6.2 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 11.6$ ($-4.5 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 9.6$) at 95% confidence level, assuming the Standard Model for the expected limits and that new physics would only affect $\kappa_{\lambda}$.
Number of ggF and VBF SM HH signal events satisfying the preselection requirements from the targeted HH decay modes and their acceptance into the different ML search channels.
Number of ggF and VBF SM HH signal events satisfying the preselection requirements from the targeted HH decay modes and their acceptance into the different $\gamma\gamma$+ML search channels.
Distribution of the BDT output score in the 4l+2b channel signal region.
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, delivering proton-proton collisions at much higher energies and far higher luminosities than previous machines, has enabled a comprehensive programme of measurements of the standard model (SM) processes by the CMS experiment. These unprecedented capabilities facilitate precise measurements of the properties of a wide array of processes, the most fundamental being cross sections. The discovery of the Higgs boson and the measurement of its mass became the keystone of the SM. Knowledge of the mass of the Higgs boson allows precision comparisons of the predictions of the SM with the corresponding measurements. These measurements span the range from one of the most copious SM processes, the total inelastic cross section for proton-proton interactions, to the rarest ones, such as Higgs boson pair production. They cover the production of Higgs bosons, top quarks, single and multibosons, and hadronic jets. Associated parameters, such as coupling constants, are also measured. These cross section measurements can be pictured as a descending stairway, on which the lowest steps represent the rarest processes allowed by the SM, some never seen before.
Cross sections of selected high-energy processes measured by the CMS experiment. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% CL upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour.
Summary of production cross section measurements involving top quarks. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% C.L. upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour.
Summary of measurements of jet cross sections and electroweak processes in association with jets. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% C.L. upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour. Versions of these plots in pdf format with links to the publications can be found at https://cms-results.web.cern.ch/cms-results/public-results/publications/SMP-23-004/.
A search for the production of a W boson and a Higgs boson through vector boson scattering (VBS) is presented, using CMS data from proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected from 2016 to 2018. The integrated luminosity of the data sample is 138 fb$^{-1}$. Selected events must be consistent with the presence of two jets originating from VBS, the leptonic decay of the W boson to an electron or muon, possibly also through an intermediate $\tau$ lepton, and a Higgs boson decaying into a pair of b quarks, reconstructed as either a single merged jet or two resolved jets. A measurement of the process as predicted by the standard model (SM) is performed alongside a study of beyond-the-SM (BSM) scenarios. The SM analysis sets an observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limit of 14.3 (9.9) on the ratio of the measured VBS WH cross section to that expected by the SM. The BSM analysis, conducted within the so-called $\kappa$ framework, excludes all scenarios with $\lambda_\mathrm{WZ}$ $\lt$ 0 that are consistent with current measurements, where $\lambda_\mathrm{WZ}$ = $\kappa_\mathrm{W} / \kappa_\mathrm{Z}$ and $\kappa_\mathrm{W}$ and $\kappa_\mathrm{Z}$ are the HWW and HZZ coupling modifiers, respectively. The signficance of the exclusion is beyond 5 standard deviations, and it is consistent with the SM expectation of $\lambda_\mathrm{WZ}$ = 1.
The exclusion significance in the BSM analysis with $\kappa_W = -1$, $\kappa_Z = +1$ plotted as a function of the signal strength
The exclusion significance of signal strength = 1 in the BSM analysis plotted as a function of $\kappa_W$ and $\kappa_Z$.
Histogram of the background predicted from simulation in regions B, C, D, background estimated from data in region A, and data in regions A, B, C, and D. "Estimated Bkg." is the background estimated from data via ABCD in the signal region, so there is no yield in regions B, C, or D for that column. "SM Bkg." is the background estimated from MC, so it is not plotted in region A to avoid confusion about where the background estimate comes from.
A search is reported for charge-parity $CP$ violation in D$^0$$\to$ K$^0_\mathrm{S}$K$^0_\mathrm{S}$ decays, using data collected in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment in 2018. The analysis uses a dedicated data set that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 41.6 fb$^{-1}$, which consists of about 10 billion events containing a pair of b hadrons, nearly all of which decay to charm hadrons. The flavor of the neutral D meson is determined by the pion charge in the reconstructed decays D$^{*+}$$\to$ D$^0\pi^+$ and D$^{*-}$$\to$ D$^0\pi^-$. The $CP$ asymmetry in D$^0$$\to$ K$^0_\mathrm{S}$K$^0_\mathrm{S}$ is measured to be $A_{CP}$(K$^0_\mathrm{S}$K$^0_\mathrm{S}$) = (6.2 $\pm$ 3.0 $\pm$ 0.2 $\pm$ 0.8)%, where the three uncertainties represent the statistical uncertainty, the systematic uncertainty, and the uncertainty in the measurement of the $CP$ asymmetry in the D$^0$ $\to$ K$^0_\mathrm{S}\pi^+\pi^-$ decay. This is the first $CP$ asymmetry measurement by CMS in the charm sector as well as the first to utilize a fully hadronic final state.
The measured $CP$ asymmetry in $D^{0} \to K^{0}_{S} K^{0}_{S}$
The measured difference in the $CP$ asymmetries between $D^{0} \to K^{0}_{S} K^{0}_{S}$ and $D^{0} \to K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$
Results are presented from a search for new physics in high-mass diphoton events from proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The data set was collected in 2016-2018 with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Events with a diphoton invariant mass greater than 500 GeV are considered. Two different techniques are used to predict the standard model backgrounds: parametric fits to the smoothly-falling background and a first-principles calculation of the standard model diphoton spectrum at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations. The first technique is sensitive to resonant excesses while the second technique can identify broad differences in the invariant mass shape. The data are used to constrain the production of heavy Higgs bosons, Randall-Sundrum gravitons, the large extra dimensions model of Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali (ADD), and the continuum clockwork mechanism. No statistically significant excess is observed. The present results are the strongest limits to date on ADD extra dimensions and RS gravitons with a coupling parameter greater than 0.1.
The product of the event selection efficiency (e) and the detector acceptance (A) is shown as a function of the signal resonance mass mX for the narrow signal width hypothesis ($\Gamma_{X}/m_{X} = 1.4 x 10^{4}$ for J = 0 and $~k = 0.01$ for J = 2). The total (black), EBEB (red), and EBEE (blue) curves are shown for spin (J) hypotheses J = 0 (solid) and J = 2 (dashed).
Figure 2: Observed diphoton invariant mass spectra for the EBEB category for the full Run 2 data set are shown. Also shown are the results of a likelihood fit to the background-only hypothesis. The black, red, green and blue lines indicate the result of the fit functions f1, f2, f3, and f4, respectively. The lower panels show the difference between the data and f1 fit, divided by the statistical uncertainty in the data points. dijet f1 = 0.13116092* pow(x,5.7466302555276645-0.7807885712668643*log(x)), expow1 f2 = 7.3165496e+10*exp(-0.0016273075*x)*pow(x, -1*1.8233539*1.8233539), invpow1 f3 = 8760.6423*(pow(1+x*0.0022831415,-1.*2.7013689*2.7013689)), invpowlin1 f4 = 2124447.3*(pow(1+0.029456453*x,-3.8645171-0.00027603566*x)).
Figure 2: Observed diphoton invariant mass spectra for the EBEE category for the full Run 2 data set are shown. Also shown are the results of a likelihood fit to the background-only hypothesis. The black, red, green and blue lines indicate the result of the fit functions f1, f2, f3, and f4, respectively. The lower panels show the difference between the data and f1 fit, divided by the statistical uncertainty in the data points. dijet f1 = 1.81866e-22*pow(x,19.5547-1.7634*log(x)), expow1 f2 = 69750*exp(-0.00368224*x)*pow(x, -1.*0.975269*0.975269, invpow1 f3 = 508.838*pow(1+x*0.000294278,-1.*4.5514*4.5514), invpowlin1 f4 = 470.588*pow(1+x* 5.07338e-05,-114.601+0.00817169*x)
The first search for the Z boson decay to $\tau\tau\mu\mu$ at the CERN LHC is presented, based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The data are compatible with the predicted background. For the first time, an upper limit at the 95% confidence level of 6.9 times the standard model expectation is placed on the ratio of the Z $\to$ $\tau\tau\mu\mu$ to Z $\to$ 4$\mu$ branching fractions. Limits are also placed on the six flavor-conserving four-lepton effective-field-theory operators involving two muons and two tau leptons, for the first time testing all such operators.
Distribution of $m_{4\mu}$ after the maximum likelihood fit of the background-only model (stacked histograms) to the data (black points). The nuisance parameters are set to their post-fit values and the signal (black dotted line) is overlaid, scaled to the upper limit on its cross section of 6.9 times the SM expectation. The gray shaded areas in both panels correspond to the total uncertainty in the background prediction. The black vertical bars indicate the statistical uncertainty in the data.
Observed limits at the 95% CL on $C_{\mathrm{LL}}^{2233}$ vs. $C_{\mathrm{LR}}^{2332}$ (red) showing the full range.
Observed limits at the 95% CL on $C_{\mathrm{LR}}^{2233}$ vs. $C_{\mathrm{LL}}^{2332}$ (orange) showing the full range.
The first science run of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, a dual-phase xenon time project chamber operating in the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA, has reported leading limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions and interactions described from a non-relativistic effective field theory (NREFT). Using the same 5.5~t fiducial mass and 60 live days of exposure we report on the results of a relativistic extension to the NREFT. We present constraints on couplings from covariant interactions arising from the coupling of vector, axial currents, and electric dipole moments of the nucleon to the magnetic and electric dipole moments of the WIMP which cannot be described by recasting previous results described by an NREFT. Using a profile-likelihood ratio analysis, in an energy region between 0~keV$_\text{nr}$ to 270~keV$_\text{nr}$, we report 90% confidence level exclusion limits on the coupling strength of five interactions in both the isoscalar and isovector bases.
Isoscalar interaction coupling limit for Lagrangian 1
Isovector interaction coupling limit for Lagrangian 19
Isoscalar interaction coupling limit for Lagrangian 19
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.
The mass planes of the reconstructed Higgs boson candidates for the 1Pass selections of the analysis, shown for the data events.
The mass planes of the reconstructed Higgs boson candidates for the 2Pass selections of the analysis, shown for the data events.
The mass planes of the reconstructed Higgs boson candidates for the 2Pass selections of the analysis, shown for the VBF SM $\kappa_{2V} = 1$ HH samples.
Searches for pair-produced multijet signatures using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 128 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV are presented. A data scouting technique is employed to record events with low jet scalar transverse momentum sum values. The electroweak production of particles predicted in $R$-parity violating supersymmetric models is probed for the first time with fully hadronic final states. This is the first search for prompt hadronically decaying mass-degenerate higgsinos, and extends current exclusions on $R$-parity violating top squarks and gluinos.
Fit results for the pair produced merged three-quark average jet mass ($\bar{m}$) distribution, after the selection of $p_{\rm T}>300$ GeV, $|\eta|<2.4$, and $\tau_{32,\mathrm{DDT}}<0$ on both leading and subleading jet and $A_m<0.15$
Fit results for the pair produced merged three-quark average jet mass ($\bar{m}$) distribution, after the selection of $p_{\rm T}>300$ GeV, $|\eta|<2.4$, and $N^1_{2,\mathrm{DDT}}<0$ on both leading and subleading jet
Fit results for the region 1 of pair produced resolved three jet mass ($m_{jjj}$) distribution, after $H_{\rm T}>600$ GeV, $|\eta|<2.4$, sixth jet $p_{\rm T}>40$ GeV, $D^2_{[(6,3)+(3,2)]}<1.25$, $A_m <0.25$, $\Delta>250$ GeV, $D^2_{[3,2]}<0.05$
The discovery of the Higgs boson has led to new possible signatures for heavy resonance searches at the LHC. Since then, search channels including at least one Higgs boson plus another particle have formed an important part of the program of new physics searches. In this report, the status of these searches by the CMS Collaboration is reviewed. Searches are discussed for resonances decaying to two Higgs bosons, a Higgs and a vector boson, or a Higgs boson and another new resonance. All analyses use proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV in the years 2016-2018. A combination of the results of these searches is presented together with constraints on different beyond-the-standard model scenarios, including scenarios with extended Higgs sectors, heavy vector bosons and extra dimensions. Studies are shown for the first time by CMS on the validity of the narrow-width approximation in searches for the resonant production of a pair of Higgs bosons. The potential for a discovery at the High Luminosity LHC is also discussed.
Upper limits on σB for a spin-0 resonance X obtained from the combination of the individual channels. The 68 and 95% CL intervals on the expected upper limits are shown as colored bands.
Upper limits on σB for a spin-2 resonance G obtained from the combination of the individual channels. The 68 and 95% CL intervals on the expected upper limits are shown as colored bands.
Upper limits at 95% CL on $\sigma$B(pp→X→Y(bb)H) for combination as a function of m$_Y$.