A measurement of the fiducial cross section of the associated production of a Z boson and a high-$p_\mathrm{T}$ photon, where the Z decays to two neutrinos, and a search for anomalous triple gauge couplings are reported. The results are based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV during 2016$-$2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The fiducial Z$γ$ cross section, where a photon with a $p_\mathrm{T}$ greater than 225 GeV is produced in association with a Z, and the Z decays to a $ν\barν$ pair (Z($ν\barν$)$γ$), is measured to be 23.3$^{+1.4}_{-1.3}$ fb, in agreement, within uncertainties, with the standard model prediction. The differential cross section as a function of the photon $p_\mathrm{T}$ has been measured and compared with standard model predictions computed at next-to-leading and at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. Constraints have been placed on the presence of anomalous couplings that affect the ZZ$γ$ and Z$γγ$ vertex using the $p_\mathrm{T}$ spectrum of the photons. The observed 95% confidence level intervals for $CP$-conserving $h_3^γ$ and $h_4^γ$ are determined to be ($-$3.4, 3.5) $\times$ 10$^{-4}$ and ($-$6.8, 6.8) $\times$ 10$^{-7}$, and for $h_3^\mathrm{Z}$ and $h_4^\mathrm{Z}$ they are ($-$2.2, 2.2) $\times$ 10$^{-4}$ and ($-$4.1, 4.2) $\times$ 10$^{-7}$, respectively. These are the strictest limits to date on $h_3^γ$, $h_3^\mathrm{Z}$ and $h_4^\mathrm{Z}$.
Post-fit reconstruction-level photon transverse momentum $p_{T}^{\gamma}$ distribution in the ECAL barrel signal region. The yields correspond to the post-fit expectation from the maximum-likelihood fit used in the analysis, with uncertainties reflecting the post-fit total (stat+syst) uncertainty per bin. Data correspond to the full Run-2 dataset (138 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV).
Post-fit reconstruction-level photon transverse momentum $p_{T}^{\gamma}$ distribution in the ECAL endcaps signal region. The yields correspond to the post-fit expectation from the maximum-likelihood fit used in the analysis, with uncertainties reflecting the post-fit total (stat+syst) uncertainty per bin. Data correspond to the full Run-2 dataset (138 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV).
Measured and predicted fiducial cross sections (fb) in the EB, EE, and combined phase space. The fiducial phase space definition follows the analysis selection in the paper. Predictions are shown at NLO (MADGRAPH5_aMC@NLO) and NNLO (MATRIX).
A search for a charged Higgs boson, $H^{\pm}$, produced in top-quark decays, $t \rightarrow H^{\pm}b$, is presented. The search targets $H^{\pm}$ decays into a bottom and a charm quark, $H^{\pm} \rightarrow cb$. The analysis focuses on a selection enriched in top-quark pair production, where one top quark decays into a leptonically decaying $W$ boson and a bottom quark, and the other top quark decays into a charged Higgs boson and a bottom quark. This topology leads to a lepton-plus-jets final state, characterised by an isolated electron or muon and at least four jets. The search exploits the high multiplicity of jets containing $b$-hadrons, and deploys a neural network classifier that uses the kinematic differences between the signal and the background. The search uses a dataset of proton-proton collisions collected at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV between 2015 and 2018 with the ATLAS detector at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. Observed (expected) 95% confidence-level upper limits between 0.15% (0.09%) and 0.42% (0.25%) are derived for the product of branching fractions $\mathscr{B}(t\rightarrow H^{\pm}b) \times \mathscr{B}(H^{\pm}\rightarrow cb)$ for charged Higgs boson masses between 60 and 160 GeV, assuming the SM production of the top-quark pairs.
The observed 95% CL upper limits on $\mathscr{B}=\mathscr{B}(t\rightarrow H^{\pm}b) \times \mathscr{B}(H^{\pm}\rightarrow cb)$ as a function of $m_{H^{\pm}}$ and the expectation (dashed) under the background-only hypothesis. The inner green and outer yellow shaded bands show the $\pm 1\sigma$ and $\pm 2\sigma$ uncertainties of the expected limits. The exclusion limits are presented for $m_{H^{\pm}}$ between 60 and 160 GeV with 10 GeV $m_{H^{\pm}}$ spacing and linear interpolation between adjacent mass points. Superimposed on the upper limits, the predictions from the 3HDM are shown, corresponding to three benchmark values for the parameters $X$, $Y$, and $Z$
Pre-fit event yields in each of the nine analysis regions. The $H^{\pm}$ signal yields for $m_{H^{\pm}}=130$ GeV and $m_{H^{\pm}}=70$ GeV are normalised to $\mathscr{B}_{\mathrm{ref}}=1\%$. The quoted uncertainties are the sum in quadrature of statistical and systematic uncertainties of the yields, computed taking into account correlations among processes resulting from the data-based $t\bar{t}$ correction procedure.
Post-fit yields in each of the nine analysis regions considered. The total prediction is shown after the fit to data under the signal-plus-background hypothesis assuming $H^{\pm}$ signal with $m_{H^{\pm}}=130$ GeV. The predicted yileds for the $H^{\pm}$ signal with $m_{H^{\pm}}=70$ GeV are also shown for reference. The best fit-values of $\mathscr{B}$ for $H^{\pm}$ signal with $m_{H^{\pm}}=130$ GeV and $m_{H^{\pm}}=70$ GeV are 0.16% and 0.07% respectively. The quoted uncertainties are the sum in quadrature of statistical and systematic uncertainties of the yields, computed taking into account correlations among nuisance parameters and among processes.
A search for flavour-changing neutral-current decays of a top quark into an up-type quark (either up or charm) and a light scalar particle $X$ decaying into a bottom anti-bottom quark pair is presented. The search focuses on top-quark pair production where one top quark decays to $qX$, with $X \rightarrow b\bar{b}$, and the other top quark decays according to the Standard Model, with the $W$ boson decaying leptonically. The final state is thus characterised by an isolated electron or muon and at least four jets. Events are categorised according to the multiplicity of jets and jets tagged as originating from $b$-quarks, and a neural network is used to discriminate between signal and background processes. The data analysed correspond to 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The 95% confidence-level upper limits between 0.019% and 0.062% are derived for the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow uX$) and between 0.018% and 0.078% for the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow cX$), for masses of the scalar particle $X$ between 20 and 160 GeV.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limits for $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow uX$) $\times$ $\mathcal{B}$($X \rightarrow b\bar{b}$). The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals, respectively.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limits for $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow cX$) $\times$ $\mathcal{B}$($X \rightarrow b\bar{b}$). The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals, respectively.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limits for $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow uH$) $\times$ $\mathcal{B}$($X \rightarrow b\bar{b}$) and $\mathcal{B}$($t \rightarrow cH$) $\times$ $\mathcal{B}$($X \rightarrow b\bar{b}$).
A search for new top quark interactions is performed within the framework of an effective field theory using the associated production of either one or two top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. Five dimension-six operators modifying the electroweak interactions of the top quark are considered. Novel machine-learning techniques are used to enhance the sensitivity to effects arising from these operators. Distributions used for the signal extraction are parameterized in terms of Wilson coefficients describing the interaction strengths of the operators. All five Wilson coefficients are simultaneously fit to data and 95% confidence level intervals are computed. All results are consistent with the SM expectations.
Expected and observed 95% CL confidence intervals for all Wilson coefficients. The intervals are obtained by scanning over a single Wilson coefficient, while fixing the other Wilson coefficients to their SM values of zero.
Expected and observed 95% CL confidence intervals for all Wilson coefficients. The intervals for all five Wilson coefficients are obtained from a single fit, in which all Wilson coefficients are treated as free parameters.
Covariance between the Wilson coefficients (in units of TeV$^{-4}$), after the 5D fit to data.
A search for charged Higgs bosons decaying into a top quark and a bottom quark is presented. The data analysed correspond to 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=13TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The production of a heavy charged Higgs boson in association with a top quark and a bottom quark, $pp\rightarrow tbH^{+}\rightarrow tbtb$, is explored in the $H^+$ mass range from 200 to 2000 GeV using final states with jets and one electron or muon. Events are categorised according to the multiplicity of jets and $b$-tagged jets, and multivariate analysis 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 ratio of a charged Higgs boson as a function of its mass; they range from 3.6 pb at 200 GeV to 0.036 pb at 2000 GeV at 95% confidence level. The results are interpreted in the hMSSM and $M_h^{125}$ scenarios.
Observed and expected upper limits for the production of $H^+\rightarrow tb$ in association with a top quark and a bottom quark. The bands surrounding the expected limit show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. The red lines show the observed and expected 95% CL exclusion limits obtained with the 36 fb$^{-1}$ data sample. Theory predictions are shown for two representative values of $\tan\beta$ in the hMSSM benchmark scenario. Uncertainties in the predicted $H^+$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
Observed and expected limits on $\tan\beta$ as a function of $m_{H^+}$ in the hMSSM scenario. Limits are shown for $\tan\beta$ values in the range of 0.5-60 due to the availability of the model prediction. The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. Uncertainties in the predicted $H^+$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
Observed and expected limits on $\tan\beta$ as a function of $m_{H^+}$ in the $M_h^{125}$ scenario. Limits are shown for $\tan\beta$ values in the range of 0.5-60 due to the availability of the model prediction. The bands surrounding the expected limits show the 68% and 95% confidence intervals. Uncertainties in the predicted $H^+$ cross-sections or branching ratios are not considered.
A search for dijet resonances in events with at least one isolated charged lepton is performed using $139~{\text{fb}}^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The dijet invariant-mass ($m_{jj}$) distribution constructed from events with at least one isolated electron or muon is searched in the region $0.22 < m_{jj} < 6.3$ TeV for excesses above a smoothly falling background from Standard Model processes. Triggering based on the presence of a lepton in the event reduces limitations imposed by minimum transverse momentum thresholds for triggering on jets. This approach allows smaller dijet invariant masses to be probed than in inclusive dijet searches, targeting a variety of new-physics models, for example ones in which a new state is produced in association with a leptonically decaying $W$ or $Z$ boson. No statistically significant deviation from the Standard Model background hypothesis is found. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with widths ranging from that determined by the detector resolution up to 15% of the resonance mass are obtained for dijet invariant masses ranging from 0.25 TeV to 6 TeV. Limits are set also in the context of several scenarios beyond the Standard Model, such as the Sequential Standard Model, a technicolor model, a charged Higgs boson model and a simplified Dark Matter model.
Observed and expected 95% credibility-level upper limits on the cross-section times acceptance times branching ratio for the techicolor model with production of $\rho_T$ decaying to $\pi_T W^{\pm}$. The table also shows the corresponding $1\sigma$ and $2\sigma$ bands for the expected limits. The limits are calculated using jets in events with at least one isolated lepton ($e$ or $\mu$) with $p_\text{T}^\ell \ge 60$ GeV.
Observed and expected 95% credibility-level upper limits on the cross-section times acceptance times branching ratio for $W' \to Z' W^{\pm}$ production in the Sequential Standard Model. The table also shows the corresponding $1\sigma$ and $2\sigma$ bands for the expected limits. The limits are calculated using jets in events with at least one isolated lepton ($e$ or $\mu$) with $p_\text{T}^\ell \ge 60$ GeV.
Observed and expected 95% credibility-level upper limits on the cross-section times branching ratio for the $tbH^+$ model. The table also shows the corresponding $1\sigma$ and $2\sigma$ bands for the expected limits. The limits are calculated using jets in events with at least one isolated lepton ($e$ or $\mu$) with $p_\text{T}^\ell \ge 60$ GeV.
The result of a search for the pair production of the lightest supersymmetric partner of the bottom quark ($\tilde{b}_{1}$) using 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton data collected at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV by the ATLAS detector is reported. In the supersymmetric scenarios considered both of the bottom-squarks decay into a $b$-quark and the second-lightest neutralino, $\tilde{b}_{1} \rightarrow b + \tilde{\chi}^{0}_{2}$. Each $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{2}$ is assumed to subsequently decay with 100% branching ratio into a Higgs boson ($h$) like the one in the Standard Model and the lightest neutralino: $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{2} \rightarrow h + \tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}$. The $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}$ is assumed to be the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) and is stable. Two signal mass configurations are targeted: the first has a constant LSP mass of 60 GeV; and the second has a constant mass difference between the $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{2}$ and $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}$ of 130 GeV. The final states considered contain no charged leptons, three or more $b$-jets, and large missing transverse momentum. No significant excess of events over the Standard Model background expectation is observed in any of the signal regions considered. Limits at the 95% confidence level are placed in the supersymmetric models considered, and bottom-squarks with mass up to 1.5 TeV are excluded.
Distributions of ${E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}$ after the background-only fit. The backgrounds which contribute only a small amount (diboson, W+jets and ttbar+W/Z/h) are grouped and labelled as `Other'.
Distributions of $m_{\mathrm{eff}}$ after the background-only fit. The backgrounds which contribute only a small amount (diboson, W+jets and ttbar+W/Z/h) are grouped and labelled as `Other'.
Distributions of Object-based $E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} {Sig.}$ after the background-only fit. The backgrounds which contribute only a small amount (diboson, W+jets and ttbar+W/Z/h) are grouped and labelled as `Other'.
A search for anomalous electroweak production of WW, WZ, and ZZ boson pairs in association with two jets in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV at the LHC is reported. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the CMS detector. Events are selected by requiring two jets with large rapidity separation and invariant mass, one or two leptons (electrons or muons), and a W or Z boson decaying hadronically. No excess of events with respect to the standard model background predictions is observed and constraints on the structure of quartic vector boson interactions in the framework of dimension-8 effective field theory operators are reported. Stringent limits on parameters of the effective field theory operators are obtained. The observed 95% confidence level limits for the S0, M0, and T0 operators are $-$2.7 $<$ f$_{\mathrm{S0}}/ \Lambda^{4}$ $<$ 2.7, $-$1.0 $<$ f$_{\mathrm{M0}}/ \Lambda^{4}$ $<$ 1.0, and $-$0.17 $<$ f$_{\mathrm{T0}}/ \Lambda^{4}$ $<$ 0.16, in units of TeV$^{-4}$. Constraints are also reported on the product of the cross section and branching fraction for vector boson fusion production of charged Higgs bosons as a function of mass from 600 to 2000 GeV. The results are interpreted in the context of the Georgi-Machacek model.
Expected yields from various background processes in $\mathrm{WV}$ and $\mathrm{ZV}$ final states. The combination of the statistical and systematic uncertainties are shown. The predicted yields are shown with their best-fit normalizations from the background-only fit. The aQGC signal yields are shown for two aQGC scenarios with $f_{T2}/ \Lambda^{4} = -0.5$ TeV$^{-4}$ and $f_{T2}/ \Lambda^{4} = -2.5$ TeV$^{-4}$ for the $\mathrm{WV}$ and $\mathrm{ZV}$ channels, respectively. The charged Higgs boson signal yields are also shown for values of $s_{\mathrm{H}}=0.5$ and $m_{\mathrm{H}_{5}}=500$ GeV in the GM model. The statistical uncertainties are shown for the expected signal yields.
Observed and expected lower and upper 95\% CL limits on the parameters of the quartic operators S0, S1, M0, M1, M6, M7, T0, T1, and T2 in $\mathrm{WV}$ and $\mathrm{ZV}$ channels. The last two columns show the observed and expected limits for the combination of the $\mathrm{WV}$ and $\mathrm{ZV}$ channels.
Expected and observed exclusion limits at the 95\% CL as a function of $m(\mathrm{H}^{\pm})$ for $\sigma_\mathrm{VBF}(\mathrm{H}^{\pm}) \, \mathcal{B}(\mathrm{H}^{\pm} \rightarrow \mathrm{W}^{\pm}\mathrm{Z})$ in the $\mathrm{WV}$ final state.
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.