Since the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, detailed studies of its properties have been ongoing. Besides its mass, its width - related to its lifetime - is an important parameter. One way to determine this quantity is by measuring its off-shell production, where the Higgs boson mass is far away from its nominal value, and relating it to its on-shell production, where the mass is close to the nominal value. Here, we report evidence for such off-shell contributions to the production cross section of two Z bosons with data from the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. We constrain the total rate of the off-shell Higgs boson contribution beyond the Z boson pair production threshold, relative to its standard model expectation, to the interval [0.0061, 2.0] at 95% confidence level. The scenario with no off-shell contribution is excluded at a $p$-value of 0.0003 (3.6 standard deviations). We measure the width of the Higgs boson as $\Gamma_{\mathrm{H}}$ = 3.2 $_{-1.7}^{+2.4}$ MeV, in agreement with the standard model expectation of 4.1 MeV. In addition, we set constraints on anomalous Higgs boson couplings to W and Z boson pairs.
GGsm vs -2dNLL (SM-like (f_{ai}=0) observed)
GGsm vs -2dNLL (f_{a2} (u) observed)
GGsm vs -2dNLL (f_{a3} (u) observed)
We present measurements of the cross section and double-helicity asymmetry $A_{LL}$ of direct-photon production in $\vec{p}+\vec{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV. The measurements have been performed at midrapidity ($|\eta|<0.25$) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. At relativistic energies, direct photons are dominantly produced from the initial quark-gluon hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force at leading order. Therefore, at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV, where leading-order-effects dominate, these measurements provide clean and direct access to the gluon helicity in the polarized proton in the gluon-momentum-fraction range $0.02
Cross sections for inclusive and isolated direct photons as a function of $p_T$. Not shown are 10% absolute luminosity uncertainties.
Double helicity asymmetry $A_{LL}$ $vs$ $p_{T}$ for isolated direct-photon production in polarized $\vec{p}+\vec{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV at midrapidity. Not shown are $3.9 \times 10^{-4}$ shift uncertainty from relative luminosity and 6.6% scale uncertainty from polarization.
An inclusive search for nonresonant signatures of beyond the standard model (SM) phenomena in events with three or more charged leptons, including hadronically decaying $\tau$ leptons, is presented. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding 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 in 2016-2018. Events are categorized based on the lepton and b-tagged jet multiplicities and various kinematic variables. Three scenarios of physics beyond the SM are probed, and signal-specific boosted decision trees are used for enhancing sensitivity. No significant deviations from the background expectations are observed. Lower limits are set at 95% confidence level on the mass of type-III seesaw heavy fermions in the range 845-1065 GeV for various decay branching fraction combinations to SM leptons. Doublet and singlet vector-like $\tau$ lepton extensions of the SM are excluded for masses below 1045 GeV and in the mass range 125-150 GeV, respectively. Scalar leptoquarks decaying exclusively to a top quark and a lepton are excluded below 1.12-1.42 TeV, depending on the lepton flavor. For the type-III seesaw as well as the vector-like doublet model, these constraints are the most stringent to date. For the vector-like singlet model, these are the first constraints from the LHC experiments. Detailed results are also presented to facilitate alternative theoretical interpretations.
The minimum lepton $\mathrm{p_{T}}$ (GeV) distribution in 3L MisID CR events for the combined 2016-2018 data set. The rightmost bin contains the overflow events. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed events to the total expected background prediction. The gray band on the ratio represents the sum of statistical and systematic uncertainties in the SM background prediction.
The $\mathrm{S_{T}}$ (GeV) distribution in 3L WZ CR events for the combined 2016-2018 data set. The rightmost bin contains the overflow events. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed events to the total expected background prediction. The gray band on the ratio represents the sum of statistical and systematic uncertainties in the SM background prediction.
The $\mathrm{DR_{min}}$ distribution in 3L Z$\mathrm{\gamma}$ CR events for the combined 2016-2018 data set. The rightmost bin contains the overflow events. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed events to the total expected background prediction. The gray band on the ratio represents the sum of statistical and systematic uncertainties in the SM background prediction.
A search for pairs of Higgs bosons produced via gluon and vector boson fusion is presented, focusing on the four b quark final state. The data sample consists of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. No deviation from the background-only hypothesis is observed. A 95% confidence level upper limit on the Higgs boson pair production cross section is observed at 3.9 times the standard model prediction for an expected value of 7.8. Constraints are also set on the modifiers of the Higgs field self-coupling, $\kappa_\lambda$, and of the coupling of two Higgs bosons to two vector bosons, $\kappa_\mathrm{2V}$. The observed (expected) allowed intervals at the 95% confidence level are $-$2.3 $\lt$ $\kappa_\lambda$ $\lt$ 9.4 ($-$5.0 $\lt$ $\kappa_\lambda$ $\lt$ 12.0) and $-$0.1 $\lt$ $\kappa_\mathrm{2V}$ $\lt$ 2.2 ($-$0.4 $\lt$ $\kappa_\mathrm{2V}$ $\lt$ 2.5). These are the most stringent observed constraints to date on the HH production cross section and on the $\kappa_\mathrm{2V}$ coupling.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on cross section as a function of $\kappa_{\lambda}$ modifier
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on cross section as a function of $\kappa_{2V}$ modifier
Production cross sections of $\Upsilon$(1S), $\Upsilon$(2S), and $\Upsilon$(3S) states decaying into $\mu^+\mu^-$ in proton-lead (pPb) collisions are reported using data collected by the CMS experiment at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} =$ 5.02 TeV. A comparison is made with corresponding cross sections obtained with pp data measured at the same collision energy and scaled by the Pb nucleus mass number. The nuclear modification factor for $\Upsilon$(1S) is found to be $R_\mathrm{pPb}(\Upsilon(1S))$ = 0.806 $\pm$ 0.024 (stat) $\pm$ 0.059 (syst). Similar results for the excited states indicate a sequential suppression pattern, such that $R_\mathrm{pPb}(\Upsilon(1S))$$\gt$$R_\mathrm{pPb}(\Upsilon(2S))$$\gt$$R_\mathrm{pPb}(\Upsilon(3S))$. The suppression is much less pronounced in pPb than in PbPb collisions, and independent of transverse momentum $p_\mathrm{T}^\Upsilon$ and center-of-mass rapidity $y_\mathrm{CM}^\Upsilon$ of the individual $\Upsilon$ state in the studied range $p_\mathrm{T}^\Upsilon$$\lt$ 30 GeV$/c$ and $\vert y_\mathrm{CM}^\Upsilon\vert$$\lt$ 1.93. Models that incorporate sequential suppression of bottomonia in pPb collisions are in better agreement with the data than those which only assume initial-state modifications.
Differential cross section times dimuon branching fraction of Y(1S) as a function of pT in pPb collisions. The global uncertainty arises from the integrated luminosity uncertainty in pPb collisions.
Differential cross section times dimuon branching fraction of Y(2S) as a function of pT in pPb collisions. The global uncertainty arises from the integrated luminosity uncertainty in pPb collisions.
Differential cross section times dimuon branching fraction of Y(3S) as a function of pT in pPb collisions. The global uncertainty arises from the integrated luminosity uncertainty in pPb collisions.
A measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry of pairs of oppositely charged leptons (dimuons and dielectrons) produced by the Drell-Yan process in proton-proton collisions is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The asymmetry is measured as a function of lepton pair mass for masses larger than 170\GeV and compared with standard model predictions. An inclusive measurement across both channels and the full mass range yields an asymmetry of 0.599 $\pm$ 0.005 (stat) $\pm$ 0.007 (syst). As a test of lepton flavor universality, the difference between the dimuon and dielectron asymmetries is measured as well. No statistically significant deviations from standard model predictions are observed. The measurements are used to set limits on the presence of additional gauge bosons. For a Z' in the sequential standard model, a lower mass limit of 4.4 TeV is set at 95% confidence level.
Results for the measurement of $A_\mathrm{FB}$ from the maximum likelihood fit to data in different dilepton mass bins in the different channels as well as an inclusive measurement across all mass bins.
Results for the measurement of $A_0$ from the maximum likelihood fit to data in different dilepton mass bins in the different channels as well as inclusive measurement across all mass bins. To help in the interpretation of these results, we also list the average dilepton $p_{T}$ of the data events in each mass bin.
Results for the measurement of $\Delta A_\mathrm{FB}$ and $\Delta A_0$ between the muon and electron channels from the maximum likelihood fit to data in different mass bins as well as an inclusive measurement across all mass bins.
A search is presented for a heavy W' boson resonance decaying to a B or T vector-like quark and a t or a b quark, respectively. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collisions collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$ at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Both decay channels result in a signature with a t quark, a Higgs or Z boson, and a b quark, each produced with a significant Lorentz boost. The all-hadronic decays of the Higgs or Z boson and of the t quark are selected using jet substructure techniques to reduce standard model backgrounds, resulting in a distinct three-jet W' boson decay signature. No significant deviation in data with respect to the standard model background prediction is observed. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the product of the W' boson cross section and the final state branching fraction. A W' boson with a mass below 3.1 TeV is excluded, given the benchmark model assumption of democratic branching fractions. In addition, limits are set based on generalizations of these assumptions. These are the most sensitive limits to date for this final state.
Reconstructed W′ boson mass distributions in the tHb signal region.
Reconstructed W′ boson mass distributions in the tZb signal region.
The W' boson 95% CL limits on the product of cross section and branching fraction. The expected and observed limits are shown for the center VLQ mass range.
The helicity-dependent single $\pi^{0}$ photoproduction cross section on the deuteron and the angular dependence of the double polarisation observable $E$ for the quasi-free single $\pi^0$ production off the proton and the neutron have been measured for the first time from the threshold region up to the photon energy 1.4 GeV. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon facility of the MAMI accelerator and used a circularly polarised photon beam and longitudinally polarised deuteron target. The reaction products were detected using the large acceptance Crystal Ball/TAPS calorimeter, which covered 97% of the full solid angle. Comparing the cross section from the deuteron with the sum of free nucleon cross sections provides a quantitative estimate of the effects of the nuclear medium on pion production. In contrast, comparison of $E$ helicity asymmetry data from quasi-free protons off deuterium with data from a free proton target indicates that nuclear effects do not significantly affect this observable. As a consequence, it is deduced that the helicity asymmetry $E$ on a free neutron can be reliably extracted from measurements on a deuteron in quasi-free kinematics.
Inclusive polarized total cross section as a function of photon beam energy.
Helicity-dependent differential cross section on deuteron at Egamma= 161. MeV
Helicity-dependent differential cross section on deuteron at Egamma= 178. MeV
A search for an extended Higgs sector, characterized by a massive resonance X decaying to a pair of spin-0 bosons $\phi$ that themselves decay to pairs of bottom quarks, is presented. The analysis is restricted to the mass ranges $m_\phi$ from 25 to 100 GeV and $m_\mathrm{X}$ from 1 to 3 TeV. For these mass ranges, the decay products of each $\phi$ boson are expected to merge into a single large-radius jet. Jet substructure and flavor identification techniques are used to identify these jets. The search is based on CERN LHC proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV, collected with the CMS detector in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Model-specific limits are set on the product of the production cross section and branching fraction for X $\to$$\phi\phi$$\to$$(\mathrm{b\bar{b}})(\mathrm{b\bar{b}})$ as a function of mass, where both the X $\to$$\phi\phi$ and $\phi$$\to$$\mathrm{b\bar{b}}$ branching fractions are assumed to be 100%. These limits are the first of their kind on this process, ranging between 30 and 1 fb at 95% confidence level for the considered mass ranges.
The observed 95% CL upper limits on the product of the cross section, and branching fraction for the production of X$\to\phi\phi\to$4b, with $m_\phi$ = 25 GeV. The corresponding expected limits and their variations at the 1 and 2 standard deviation levels are also shown. Limits are compared to various extended higgs sector model cross sections as a function of the parameter $m_XN/f$.
The observed 95% CL upper limits on the product of the cross section, and branching fraction for the production of X$\to\phi\phi\to$4b, with $m_\phi$ = 30 GeV. The corresponding expected limits and their variations at the 1 and 2 standard deviation levels are also shown. Limits are compared to various extended higgs sector model cross sections as a function of the parameter $m_XN/f$.
The observed 95% CL upper limits on the product of the cross section, and branching fraction for the production of X$\to\phi\phi\to$4b, with $m_\phi$ = 35 GeV. The corresponding expected limits and their variations at the 1 and 2 standard deviation levels are also shown. Limits are compared to various extended higgs sector model cross sections as a function of the parameter $m_XN/f$.
A study of $B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^+$ and $B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^{*+}$ decays using 139 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected with the ATLAS detector from $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV $pp$ collisions at the LHC is presented. The ratios of the branching fractions of the two decays to the branching fraction of the $B_c^+\to J/\psi \pi^+$ decay are measured: $\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^+)/\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi \pi^+) = 2.76\pm 0.47$ and $\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^{*+})/\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi \pi^+) = 5.33\pm 0.96$. The ratio of the branching fractions of the two decays is found to be $\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^{*+})/\mathcal B(B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^+) = 1.93\pm0.26$. For the $B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^{*+}$ decay, the transverse polarization fraction, $\Gamma_{\pm\pm}/\Gamma$, is measured to be $0.70\pm0.11$. The reported uncertainties include both the statistical and systematic components added in quadrature. The precision of the measurements exceeds that in all previous studies of these decays. These results supersede those obtained in the earlier ATLAS study of the same decays with $\sqrt{s} = 7$ and 8 TeV $pp$ collision data. A comparison with available theoretical predictions for the measured quantities is presented.
Measured values of $R_{D_s^+/\pi^+}$, $R_{D_s^{*+}/\pi^+}$, $R_{D_s^{*+}/D_s^+}$ ratios of branching fractions, fraction of transverse polarization $\Gamma_{\pm\pm}/\Gamma$ with their statistical uncertainties and full breakdown of systematic uncertainties. Predictions of various theory calculations are also shown with their uncertainties where available, as well as the estimates based on similar decays of light $B$ mesons.
Parameters of the $B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^+$ and $B_c^+\to J/\psi D_s^{*+}$ signals obtained with the unbinned extended maximum-likelihood fit to the data. Only the statistical uncertainties are included. No acceptance or efficiency corrections are applied to the signal yields.
Parameters of the $B_c^+\to J/\psi \pi^+$ signal obtained with the unbinned extended maximum-likelihood fit. Only the statistical uncertainties are included. No efficiency correction is applied to the signal yield.
Forum