$Z$ boson events at the Large Hadron Collider can be selected with high purity and are sensitive to a diverse range of QCD phenomena. As a result, these events are often used to probe the nature of the strong force, improve Monte Carlo event generators, and search for deviations from Standard Model predictions. All previous measurements of $Z$ boson production characterize the event properties using a small number of observables and present the results as differential cross sections in predetermined bins. In this analysis, a machine learning method called OmniFold is used to produce a simultaneous measurement of twenty-four $Z$+jets observables using $139$ fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector. Unlike any previous fiducial differential cross-section measurement, this result is presented unbinned as a dataset of particle-level events, allowing for flexible re-use in a variety of contexts and for new observables to be constructed from the twenty-four measured observables.
Differential cross-section in bins of dimuon $p_\text{T}$. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
Differential cross-section in bins of dimuon rapidity. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
Differential cross-section in bins of leading muon $p_\mathrm{T]$. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
This paper presents a measurement of the production cross-section of a $Z$ boson in association with $b$- or $c$-jets, in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. Inclusive and differential cross-sections are measured for events containing a $Z$ boson decaying into electrons or muons and produced in association with at least one $b$-jet, at least one $c$-jet, or at least two $b$-jets with transverse momentum $p_\textrm{T} > 20$ GeV and rapidity $|y| < 2.5$. Predictions from several Monte Carlo generators based on next-to-leading-order matrix elements interfaced with a parton-shower simulation, with different choices of flavour schemes for initial-state partons, are compared with the measured cross-sections. The results are also compared with novel predictions, based on infrared and collinear safe jet flavour dressing algorithms. Selected $Z + \ge 1 c$-jet observables, optimized for sensitivity to intrinsic-charm, are compared with benchmark models with different intrinsic-charm fractions.
Figure 6(left) of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z (\rightarrow ll) \ge 1 $ b-jets. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
Figure 6(right) of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z (\rightarrow ll) \ge 2 $ b-jets. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
Figure 7 of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z (\rightarrow ll) \ge 1 $ c-jets. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
Cross-sections for the production of a $Z$ boson in association with two photons are measured in proton$-$proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data used correspond to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ recorded by the ATLAS experiment during Run 2 of the LHC. The measurements use the electron and muon decay channels of the $Z$ boson, and a fiducial phase-space region where the photons are not radiated from the leptons. The integrated $Z(\rightarrow\ell\ell)\gamma\gamma$ cross-section is measured with a precision of 12% and differential cross-sections are measured as a function of six kinematic variables of the $Z\gamma\gamma$ system. The data are compared with predictions from MC event generators which are accurate to up to next-to-leading order in QCD. The cross-section measurements are used to set limits on the coupling strengths of dimension-8 operators in the framework of an effective field theory.
Measured fiducial-level integrated cross-section. NLO predictions from Sherpa 2.2.10 and MadGraph5_aMC@NLO 2.7.3 are also shown. The uncertainty in the predictions is divided into statistical and theoretical uncertainties (scale and PDF+$\alpha_{s}$).
Measured unfolded differential cross-section as a function of the leading photon transverse energy $E^{\gamma1}_{\mathrm{T}}$. NLO predictions from Sherpa 2.2.10 and MadGraph5_aMC@NLO 2.7.3 are also shown. The uncertainty in the predictions is divided into statistical and theoretical uncertainties (scale and PDF+$\alpha_{s}$).
Measured unfolded differential cross-section as a function of the subleading photon transverse energy $E^{\gamma2}_{\mathrm{T}}$. NLO predictions from Sherpa 2.2.10 and MadGraph5_aMC@NLO 2.7.3 are also shown. The uncertainty in the predictions is divided into statistical and theoretical uncertainties (scale and PDF+$\alpha_{s}$).
A search is performed for pair-produced spin-3/2 excited top quarks ($t^*\bar{t}^*$), each decaying to a top quark and a gluon. The search uses data collected with the CMS detector from pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$=8 TeV, selecting events that have a single isolated muon or electron, an imbalance in transverse momentum, and at least six jets, of which one must be compatible with originating from the fragmentation of a b quark. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 inverse femtobarns, show no significant excess over standard model predictions, and provide a lower limit of 803 GeV at 95% confidence on the mass of the spin-3/2 t* quark in an extension of the Randall-Sundrum model, assuming a 100% branching fraction of its decay into a top quark and a gluon. This is the first search for a spin-3/2 excited top quark performed at the LHC.
Kinematic distributions of single l + > 5-jet events in data (points), compared to MC simulation normalized to the number of events observed in data. Shown are pT spectra for muons (a) and electrons (b), and jet spectra for the channels $\mu$+jets (c) and e+jets (d). The reconstructed mtg distribution is shown for the $\mu$+jets channel in (e) and for e+jets in (f).
Kinematic distributions of single l + > 5-jet events in data (points), compared to MC simulation normalized to the number of events observed in data. Shown are pT spectra for muons (a) and electrons (b), and jet spectra for the channels $\mu$+jets (c) and e+jets (d). The reconstructed mtg distribution is shown for the $\mu$+jets channel in (e) and for e+jets in (f).
Kinematic distributions of single l + > 5-jet events in data (points), compared to MC simulation normalized to the number of events observed in data. Shown are pT spectra for muons (a) and electrons (b), and jet spectra for the channels $\mu$+jets (c) and e+jets (d). The reconstructed mtg distribution is shown for the $\mu$+jets channel in (e) and for e+jets in (f).
Measurements of the differential and double-differential Drell-Yan cross sections are presented using an integrated luminosity of 4.5(4.8) inverse femtobarns in the dimuon (dielectron) channel of proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. The measured inclusive cross section in the Z-peak region (60-120 GeV) is $\sigma(\ell \ell)$ = 986.4 +/- 0.6 (stat.) +/- 5.9 (exp. syst.) +/- 21.7 (th. syst.) +/- 21.7 (lum.) pb for the combination of the dimuon and dielectron channels. Differential cross sections $d\sigma/dm$ for the dimuon, dielectron, and combined channels are measured in the mass range 15 to 1500 GeV and corrected to the full phase space. Results are also presented for the measurement of the double-differential cross section $d^2\sigma/dm d |y|$ in the dimuon channel over the mass range 20 to 1500 GeV and absolute dimuon rapidity from 0 to 2.4. These measurements are compared to the predictions of perturbative QCD calculations at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading orders using various sets of parton distribution functions.
Normalization factors for the cross section measurements from the Z-peak region (60 < M < 120 GeV) with associated uncertainties. The measurements are given in the muon, electron and combined channels. The three systematic uncertainties correspond to experimental, theoretical and luminosity.
The DY cross section measurements for the muon channel normalized to the Z-peak region, pre- and post-FSR, as measured in the full acceptance and for the CMS detector acceptance. The uncertainty indicates the experimental (statistical and systematic) uncertainties summed in quadrature with the theoretical uncertainty resulting from the model-dependent kinematic distributions inside each bin.
The DY cross section measurements for the electron channel normalized to the Z-peak region, pre- and post-FSR, as measured in the full acceptance and for the CMS detector acceptance. The uncertainty indicates the experimental (statistical and systematic) uncertainties summed in quadrature with the theoretical uncertainty resulting from the model-dependent kinematic distributions inside each bin.
Invariant mass spectra for jets reconstructed using the anti-kt and Cambridge-Aachen algorithms are studied for different jet "grooming" techniques in data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns, recorded with the CMS detector in proton-proton collisions at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. Leading-order QCD predictions for inclusive dijet and W/Z+jet production combined with parton-shower Monte Carlo models are found to agree overall with the data, and the agreement improves with the implementation of jet grooming methods used to distinguish merged jets of large transverse momentum from softer QCD gluon radiation.
The unfolded distributions (x1000) for the mean mass of the two leading jets in in dijet events for reconstructed AK7 jets, for the mean PT of the two leading jets in the range 220-300 GeV/c.
The unfolded distributions (x1000) for the mean mass of the two leading jets in in dijet events for reconstructed AK7 jets, for the mean PT of the two leading jets in the range 300-450 GeV/c.
The unfolded distributions (x1000) for the mean mass of the two leading jets in in dijet events for reconstructed AK7 jets, for the mean PT of the two leading jets in the range 450-500 GeV/c.
The production of the X(3872) is studied in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using decays to J/psi pi pi, where the J/psi decays to two muons. The data were recorded by the CMS experiment and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.8 inverse femtobarns. The measurements are performed in a kinematic range in which the X(3872) candidates have a transverse momentum 10 < pt < 50 GeV and rapidity abs(y) < 1.2. The ratio of the X(3872) and psi(2S) cross sections times their branching fractions into J/psi pi pi is measured as a function of pt. In addition, the fraction of X(3872) originating from B decays is determined. From these measurements the prompt X(3872) differential cross section times branching fraction as a function of pt is extracted. The pi pi mass spectrum of the J/psi pi pi system in the X(3872) decays is also investigated.
Ratio between the differential X(3872) and PSI(2S) cross sections times branching fractions with (R) and without (R_fiducial) acceptance corrections.
Ratio between the total X(3872) and PSI(2S) cross sections times branching fractions with (R) and without (R_fiducial) acceptance corrections.
Nonprompt X(3872) fraction without acceptance corrections.
The integrated and differential cross sections for the production of pairs of isolated photons is measured in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. A data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns is analysed. A next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculation is compared to the measurements. A discrepancy is observed for regions of the phase space where the two photons have an azimuthal angle difference, $\Delta(\phi)$, less than approximately 2.8.
Integrated diphoton cross sections.
Measured diphoton differential cross sections as a function of the diphoton mass for the two pseusdorapidity ranges.
Measured diphoton differential cross sections as a function of the diphoton transverse momentum for the two pseusdorapidity ranges.
The Drell-Yan differential cross section is measured in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, from a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns. The cross section measurement, normalized to the measured cross section in the Z region, is reported for both the dimuon and dielectron channels in the dilepton invariant mass range 15-600 GeV. The normalized cross section values are quoted both in the full phase space and within the detector acceptance. The effect of final state radiation is also identified. The results are found to agree with theoretical predictions.
The DY spectrum normalized to the Z0 region and to the mass bin widths.
The DY spectrum normalized to the Z0 region for the dimuon channel. Results are for within the detector acceptance(DET) and full phase space both before (POST-FSR) and after final state raduiation corrections.
The DY spectrum normalized to the Z0 region for the dielectron channel. Results are for within the detector acceptance(DET) and full phase space both before (POST-FSR) and after final state raduiation corrections.