A search is performed for lepton-number-violating $B^-\to D^{(*)+}μ^-μ^-$ decays, using data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb$^{-1}$. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits are set on the branching fractions, ${\cal B}(B^-\to D^{+}μ^-μ^-) < 4.6 \times 10^{-8}$ and ${\cal B}(B^-\to D^{*+}μ^-μ^-) < 5.9 \times 10^{-8}$, at the 95% confidence level.
Binned efficiencies across the Dalitz plane for $B^- \to D^{+} \mu^- \mu^-$ decay. Here $\mu_1^-$ and $\mu_2^-$ represent the two muons produced in the decay, and the index specifies their ordering in transverse momentum. Efficiencies are normalized to the average over the full simulated sample.
Binned efficiencies across the Dalitz plane for $B^- \to D^{*+} \mu^- \mu^-$ decay. Here $\mu_1^-$ and $\mu_2^-$ represent the two muons produced in the decay, and the index specifies their ordering in transverse momentum. Efficiencies are normalized to the average over the full simulated sample.
A search for heavy spin-1 and spin-2 resonances decaying into a top-antitop-quark pair has been performed with 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. Final states with either exactly one electron or muon, or exactly two leptons ($ee$, $μμ$ or $eμ$), large missing transverse momentum, and two jets, at least one of which must be identified as likely containing a b-hadron decay, are considered. The search targets resonances with both narrow and broad widths relative to the detector resolution, and with masses in the range of 0.4-5.0 TeV. No significant deviation from the Standard Model prediction is observed. Exclusion limits are set on the production cross-section times branching ratio for hypothetical $Z'$ bosons, Kaluza-Klein gravitons, and Kaluza-Klein gluons that decay into top-quark pairs.
Selection efficiency times acceptance (Eff x Acc) for the ljets final state as a function of the tt̄ invariant mass at the parton level before the emission of FSR, for the (a) Z', (b) G<sub>KK</sub>, and (c) g<sub>KK</sub> signals. The selections in the resolved topology only (short-dashed magenta), the merged topology only (dashed blue) and the inclusive topology (solid black) are shown. The error bars correspond to the statistical uncertainty. All tt̄ decay modes are considered.
Selection efficiency times acceptance (Eff x Acc) for the ljets final state as a function of the tt̄ invariant mass at the parton level before the emission of FSR, for the (a) Z', (b) G<sub>KK</sub>, and (c) g<sub>KK</sub> signals. The selections in the resolved topology only (short-dashed magenta), the merged topology only (dashed blue) and the inclusive topology (solid black) are shown. The error bars correspond to the statistical uncertainty. All tt̄ decay modes are considered.
Selection efficiency times acceptance (Eff x Acc) for the ljets final state as a function of the tt̄ invariant mass at the parton level before the emission of FSR, for the (a) Z', (b) G<sub>KK</sub>, and (c) g<sub>KK</sub> signals. The selections in the resolved topology only (short-dashed magenta), the merged topology only (dashed blue) and the inclusive topology (solid black) are shown. The error bars correspond to the statistical uncertainty. All tt̄ decay modes are considered.
We present searches for light dark matter (DM) with masses 3-9 GeV/$c^2$ in the presence of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) from $^{8}$B solar neutrinos with the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment. This analysis uses a 5.7 tonne-year exposure with data collected between March 2023 and April 2025. In an energy range spanning 1-6 keV, we report no significant excess of events attributable to dark matter nuclear recoils, but we observe a significant signal from $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS interactions that is consistent with expectation. We set world-leading limits on spin-independent and spin-dependent-neutron DM-nucleon interactions for masses down to 5 GeV/$c^2$. In the no-dark-matter scenario, we observe a signal consistent with $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS events, corresponding to a $4.5σ$ statistical significance. This is the most significant evidence of $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS interactions and is enabled by robust background modeling and mitigation techniques. This demonstrates LZ's ability to detect rare signals at keV-scale energies.
90% CL WIMP SI cross sections, including sensitivities
90% CL WIMP SDn cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties
90% CL WIMP SDp cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> The existence of three distinct neutrino flavours, <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> , <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> and <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>τ</jats:sub> , is a central tenet of the Standard Model of particle physics <jats:sup>1,2</jats:sup> . Quantum-mechanical interference can allow a neutrino of one initial flavour to be detected sometime later as a different flavour, a process called neutrino oscillation. Several anomalous observations inconsistent with this three-flavour picture have motivated the hypothesis that an additional neutrino state exists, which does not interact directly with matter, termed as ‘sterile’ neutrino, <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>s</jats:sub> (refs. <jats:sup>3–9</jats:sup> ). This includes anomalous observations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) <jats:sup>3</jats:sup> experiment and Mini-Booster Neutrino Experiment (MiniBooNE) <jats:sup>4,5</jats:sup> , consistent with <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> transitions at a distance inconsistent with the three-neutrino picture. Here we use data obtained from the MicroBooNE liquid-argon time projection chamber <jats:sup>10</jats:sup> in two accelerator neutrino beams to exclude the single light sterile neutrino interpretation of the LSND and MiniBooNE anomalies at the 95% confidence level (CL). Moreover, we rule out a notable portion of the parameter space that could explain the gallium anomaly <jats:sup>6–8</jats:sup> . This is one of the first measurements to use two accelerator neutrino beams to break a degeneracy between <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> appearance and disappearance, which would otherwise weaken the sensitivity to the sterile neutrino hypothesis. We find no evidence for either <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> flavour transitions or <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> disappearance that would indicate non-standard flavour oscillations. Our results indicate that previous anomalous observations consistent with <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> transitions cannot be explained by introducing a single sterile neutrino state. </jats:p>
14 observation channels used in this analysis. The first 7 channels correspond to the BNB, while the last 7 channels correspond to the NuMI beam. Each set of seven channels is split by reconstructed event type as well as containment in the detector, fully contained (FC) or partially contained (PC). The seven channels in order are $\nu_e$CC FC, $\nu_e$CC PC, $\nu_\mu$CC FC, $\nu_\mu$CC PC, $\nu_\mu$CC $\pi^0$ FC, $\nu_\mu$CC $\pi^0$ PC, and NC $\pi^0$. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
Four $\nu_e$CC observation channels, after constraints from 10 $\nu_\mu$CC and NC $\pi^0$ channels. The four channels in order are BNB $\nu_e$CC FC, BNB $\nu_e$CC PC, NuMI $\nu_e$CC FC, and NuMI $\nu_e$CC PC. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
14 channel covariance matrix showing uncertainties and correlations between bins due to flux uncertainties, cross-section uncertainties, hadron reinteraction uncertainties, detector systematic uncertainties, Monte-Carlo statistical uncertainties, and dirt (outside cryostat) uncertainties. Data statistical uncertainties have not been included, but they can be calculated with the Combined Neyman-Pearson (CNP) method. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab has observed $p\bar{p}$ and, for the first time, $Λ\barΛ$ and $p\barΛ$ photoproduction from a proton target at photon energies up to 11.6 GeV. The angular distributions are forward peaked for all produced pairs, consistent with Regge-like $t$-channel exchange. Asymmetric wide-angle anti-baryon distributions show the presence of additional processes. In a phenomenological model, we find consistency with a double $t$-channel exchange process where anti-baryons are created only at the middle vertex. The model matches all observed distributions with a small number of free parameters. In the hyperon channels, we observe a clear distinction between photoproduction of the $Λ\barΛ$ and $p\barΛ$ systems but general similarity to the $p\bar{p}$ system. We report both total cross sections and cross sections differential with respect to momentum transfer and the invariant masses of the created particle pairs. No narrow resonant structures were found in these reaction channels. The suppression of $s\bar{s}$ quark pairs relative to $d\bar{d}$ quark pairs is similar to what has been seen in other reactions.
Measured $\frac{d\sigma}{dm_{\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}}}~[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ for reaction $\gamma p\to \{\Lambda \bar{\Lambda}\} p$ including data of $6.5 \leq E_{\gamma} \leq 11.5$ [GeV], splitted in 10 energy bins (each as a column in the table). The observable $m_{\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}}$ is in unit of $[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ and is divided into bins of width 0.05 $[\mathrm{GeV}]$ (each as a row in the table). The global systematic uncertainty is 19% (not included in the table), with contributions of 5% from kinematic fitting, 10% from data selection, 5% from flux normalization, 13% from tracking efficiency, 3% from model dependence, and 6% from run-period variations.
Measured $\frac{d\sigma}{dm_{p\bar{\Lambda}}}~[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ for reaction $\gamma p\to \{p \bar{\Lambda}\} \Lambda$ including data of $6.5 \leq E_{\gamma} \leq 11.5$ [GeV], splitted in 10 energy bins (each as a column in the table). The observable $m_{p\bar{\Lambda}}$ is in unit of $[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ and is divided into bins of width 0.1 $[\mathrm{GeV}]$ (each as a row in the table). The global systematic uncertainty is 22% (not included in the table), with contributions of 2% from kinematic fitting, 10% from data selection, 5% from flux normalization, 15% from tracking efficiency, 3% from model dependence, and 10% from run-period variations.
Measured $\frac{d\sigma}{dm_{p\bar{p}}}~[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ for reaction $\gamma p\to \{p \bar{p}\} p$ including data of $3.5 \leq E_{\gamma} \leq 11.5$ [GeV], splitted in 15 energy bins (each as a column in the table). The observable $m_{p\bar{p}}$ is in unit of $[\mathrm{nb/GeV}]$ and is divided into bins of width 0.044 $[\mathrm{GeV}]$ (each as a row in the table). The global systematic uncertainty is 13% (not included in the table), with contributions of 8% from kinematic fitting, 4% from data selection, 5% from flux normalization, 8% from tracking efficiency, 3% from model dependence, and 1% from run-period variations.
In this letter, the first measurement of the femtoscopic correlation of protons and $Σ^+$ hyperons is presented and used to study the p$-Σ^+$ interaction. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV. The $Σ^+$ hyperons are reconstructed using a missing-mass approach in the decay channel to $\textrm{p} + π^0$ with $π^0\rightarrowγγ$, while both $Σ^+$ and protons are identified using a machine learning approach. These techniques result in a high reconstruction efficiency and purity, which allows the measurement of the p$-Σ^+$ correlation function for the first time. Thanks to the high significance achieved in the p$-Σ^+$ correlation signal, it is possible to discriminate between the predictions of different models of the N$-Σ$ interaction and to accomplish a first determination of the p$-Σ^+$ scattering parameters.
Raw correlation function $C(k^{*})$ of $\textrm{p}-\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\textrm{p}}-\bar{\Sigma}^-$ in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13$ TeV. The data points are shifted to the center of gravity of the mixed-event distribution.
Corrected (genuine) correlation function $C(k^{*})$ of $\textrm{p}-\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\textrm{p}}-\bar{\Sigma}^-$ in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13$ TeV. The data points are corrected by the genuine $\lambda$ parameter, assuming that the non-genuine correlation function is unity (flat). No momentum unfolding is applied to the data points. The data points are shifted to the center of gravity of the mixed-event distribution.
A search is presented for emerging jets using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, collected by the ATLAS experiment between 2015 and 2018. The search looks for the existence of a dark sector with symmetries similar to those in quantum chromodynamics. This dark sector is populated with dark quarks, which undergo showering similar to quarks in the Standard Model, leading to a high multiplicity of long-lived dark hadrons within a dark jet. These dark hadrons subsequently decay to Standard Model particles via a new heavy scalar mediating particle $ϕ$. This results in jets which contain multiple displaced vertices, known as emerging jets. This analysis targets four-jet topologies, with two emerging jets and two Standard Model jets, resulting from the decay of pair-produced scalar mediators. No significant excess above the Standard Model background is observed. For dark pion proper decay lengths of 20 mm, mediator masses are excluded between 1 TeV and 2 TeV assuming a dark pion mass of 20 GeV.
Comparison of the data with N<sub>DV</sub> > 1 and the estimated background in the SR using the modified ABCD method. The division between the SR and CR is shown by the vertical dashed line. In the final fit, the bins with R > 0.4 are combined into a single bin. Three selected signal samples are included for comparison.
95% CL upper limits as a function of (left) cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> and (right) M<sub>φ</sub>. The upper plots show the expected and observed limits on σ(pp →φ<sup>†</sup>φ) for m<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 20 GeV: (a) using M<sub>φ</sub> = 1.6 TeV and (b) using cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 20 mm. The lower plots show a comparison of the observed limits for all three dark pion masses: (c) using M<sub>φ</sub> = 1.4 TeV, and (d) using cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 1 mm. The mediator mass-dependent theoretical cross-section is given with the band corresponding to the uncertainty from NNLL-Fast.
95% CL upper limits as a function of (left) cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> and (right) M<sub>φ</sub>. The upper plots show the expected and observed limits on σ(pp →φ<sup>†</sup>φ) for m<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 20 GeV: (a) using M<sub>φ</sub> = 1.6 TeV and (b) using cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 20 mm. The lower plots show a comparison of the observed limits for all three dark pion masses: (c) using M<sub>φ</sub> = 1.4 TeV, and (d) using cτ<sub>π<sub>d</sub></sub> = 1 mm. The mediator mass-dependent theoretical cross-section is given with the band corresponding to the uncertainty from NNLL-Fast.
Meson-baryon systems with strangeness content provide a unique laboratory for investigating the strong interaction and testing theoretical models of hadron structure and dynamics. In this work, the measured correlation functions for oppositely charged $Ξ-{\rm K}$ and $Ξ-π$ pairs obtained in high-multiplicity pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV at the LHC are presented. For the first time, high-precision data on the $Ξ-{\rm K}$ interaction are delivered at small relative momenta. The scattering lengths, extracted via the Lednický-Lyuboshits expression of the pair wavefunction, indicate a repulsive and a shallow attractive strong interaction for the $Ξ-{\rm K}$ and $Ξ-π$ systems, respectively. The $Ξ(1620)$ and $Ξ(1690)$ states are observed in the $Ξ-π$ correlation function and their properties, mass and width, are determined. These measurements are in agreement with other available results. Such high-precision data can help refine the understanding of these resonant states, provide stronger constraints for chirally motivated potentials, and address the key challenge of describing the coupled-channel dynamics that may give rise to molecular configurations.
The $\Xi$K correlation function.
The genuine $\Xi$K correlation function.
The $\Xi\pi$ correlation function.
The $pp \to W^{\pm} (\to μ^{\pm} ν_μ) X$ cross-sections are measured at a proton-proton centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 100 pb$^{-1}$ recorded by the LHCb experiment. Considering muons in the pseudorapidity range $2.2 < η< 4.4$, the cross-sections are measured differentially in twelve intervals of muon transverse momentum between $28 < p_\mathrm{T} < 52$ GeV. Integrated over $p_\mathrm{T}$, the measured cross-sections are \begin{align*} σ_{W^+ \to μ^+ ν_μ} &= 300.9 \pm 2.4 \pm 3.8 \pm 6.0~\text{pb}, \\ σ_{W^- \to μ^- \barν_μ} &= 236.9 \pm 2.1 \pm 2.7 \pm 4.7~\text{pb}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are associated with the luminosity calibration. These integrated results are consistent with theoretical predictions. This analysis introduces a new method to determine the $W$-boson mass using the measured differential cross-sections corrected for detector effects. The measurement is performed on this statistically limited dataset as a proof of principle and yields \begin{align*} m_W = 80369 \pm 130 \pm 33~\text{MeV}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.
The measured differential cross sections ($d\sigma/dp_T$) for $W^+$. The first systematic uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.
The measured differential cross sections ($d\sigma/dp_T$) for $W^-$. The first systematic uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.
The correlation matrix corresponding to the statistical uncertainties on the differential cross-section ($d\sigma/dp_T$) fit results for $W^+$. To combine with $W^-$, use the rows and columns ordered as $W^+$ and then $W^-$. Assume no correlation in the statistical uncertainties between $W^+$ and $W^-$ (zero entries in the off-diagonal blocks).
The angular distributions of Drell-Yan lepton pairs provide sensitive probes of the underlying dynamics of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) effects in vector-boson production. This paper presents for the first time the measurement of the full set of angular coefficients together with the differential cross-section as a function of the transverse momentum of the $W$ boson, in the full phase space of the decay leptons. The measurements are performed separately for the $W^-$ and $W^+$ channels. The analysis uses proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in 2017 and 2018, during special low-luminosity runs with a reduced number of interactions per bunch crossings (pile-up). The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of $338$ pb$^{-1}$ at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV. The low pile-up conditions enable an optimised reconstruction of the $W$ boson transverse momentum. All results agree with theory predictions incorporating finite-order QCD corrections up to next-to-next-to-leading-order in the strong coupling constant, $α_S$.
The measured angular coefficients for $W^-$ in bins of the $p_T$ of the W.
The measured angular coefficients for $W^+$ in bins of the $p_T$ of the W.
The measured differential cross-section for $W^-$ in bins of the $p_T$ of the $W$.