The Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) was extended to energies below $\sqrt{\textit{s}_{NN}}$ = 7.7 GeV in 2015 by successful implementation of the fixed-target mode of operation in the STAR (Solenoidal Track At RHIC) experiment. In the fixed-target mode, ions circulate in one ring of the collider and interact with a stationary target at the entrance of the STAR Time Projection Chamber. The first results for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{\textit{s}_{NN}}$ = 4.5 GeV are presented, including directed and elliptic flow of identified hadrons, and radii from pion femtoscopy. The proton flow and pion femtoscopy results agree quantitatively with earlier measurements by Alternating Gradient Synchrotron experiments at similar energies. This validates running the STAR experiment in the fixed-target configuration. Pion directed and elliptic flow are presented for the first time at this beam energy. Pion and proton elliptic flow show behavior which hints at constituent quark scaling, but large error bars preclude reliable conclusions. The ongoing second phase of BES (BES-II) will provide fixed-target data sets with 100 times more events at each of several energies down to $\sqrt{\textit{s}_{NN}}$ = 3.0 GeV.
Centrality selection for STAR FXT sqrt(sNN) = 4.5 GeV Au+Au collisions
Rapidity dependence of directed flow, v1(y), for protons with transverse momentum 0.4 < pT < 2.0 GeV/c from events with 10-25% centrality.
Rapidity dependence of directed flow, v1(y), for negative pions with transverse momentum pT > 0.2 GeV/c and total momentum magnitude |p| < 1.6 GeV/c from events within 10-30% centrality. Here, the BBC-based Event Plane method is used. Plotted error bars are statistical only, and systematic errors are of comparable size.
The Standard Model of particle physics encapsulates our current best understanding of physics at the smallest scales. A fundamental axiom of this theory is the universality of the couplings of the different generations of leptons to the electroweak gauge bosons. The measurement of the ratio of the rate of decay of $W$ bosons to $\tau$-leptons and muons, $R(\tau/\mu) = B(W \to \tau \nu_\tau)/B(W \to \mu \nu_\mu)$, constitutes an important test of this axiom. A measurement of this quantity with a novel technique using di-leptonic $t\bar{t}$ events is presented based on 139 fb${}^{-1}$ of data recorded with the ATLAS detector in proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. Muons originating from $W$ bosons and those originating from an intermediate $\tau$-lepton are distinguished using the lifetime of the $\tau$-lepton, through the muon transverse impact parameter, and differences in the muon transverse momentum spectra. The value of $R(\tau/\mu)$ is found to be $0.992 \pm 0.013 [\pm 0.007 (stat) \pm 0.011 (syst)]$ and is in agreement with the hypothesis of universal lepton couplings as postulated in the Standard Model. This is the most precise measurement of this ratio, and the only such measurement from the Large Hadron Collider, to date.
The number of data and fitted simulated events in each bin of the $|d_{0}^{\mu}|$ distribution in the $5<p_{\textrm{T}}^{\mu}<10$ GeV selection in the $e-\mu$ channel.
The number of data and fitted simulated events in each bin of the $|d_{0}^{\mu}|$ distribution in the $5<p_{\textrm{T}}^{\mu}<10$ GeV selection in the $\mu-\mu$ channel.
The number of data and fitted simulated events in each bin of the $|d_{0}^{\mu}|$ distribution in the $10<p_{\textrm{T}}^{\mu}<20$ GeV selection in the $e-\mu$ channel.
A measurement of event-shape variables in proton$-$proton collisions at large momentum transfer is presented using data collected at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Six event-shape variables calculated using hadronic jets are studied in inclusive multijet events using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. Measurements are performed in bins of jet multiplicity and in different ranges of the scalar sum of the transverse momenta of the two leading jets, reaching scales beyond 2 TeV. These measurements are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo event generators containing leading-order or next-to-leading order matrix elements matched to parton showers simulated to leading-logarithm accuracy. At low jet multiplicities, shape discrepancies between the measurements and the Monte Carlo predictions are observed. At high jet multiplicities, the shapes are better described but discrepancies in the normalisation are observed.
Measured relative cross sections for multijet production as a function of $\tau_{\perp}$ for $n^{\textrm{jet}}$ = 3 and 1 TeV < $H_{\textrm{T2}}$ < 1.5 TeV.
Measured relative cross sections for multijet production as a function of $\tau_{\perp}$ for $n^{\textrm{jet}}$ = 4 and 1 TeV < $H_{\textrm{T2}}$ < 1.5 TeV.
Measured relative cross sections for multijet production as a function of $\tau_{\perp}$ for $n^{\textrm{jet}}$ = 5 and 1 TeV < $H_{\textrm{T2}}$ < 1.5 TeV.
A search for heavy resonances decaying into a $W$ or $Z$ boson and a Higgs boson produced in proton$-$proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV is presented. The analysis utilizes the dominant $W \to q \bar{q}^\prime$ or $Z \to q \bar{q}$ and $H \to b \bar{b}$ decays with substructure techniques applied to large-radius jets. A sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the ATLAS detector is analyzed and no significant excess of data is observed over the background prediction. The results are interpreted in the context of the Heavy Vector Triplet model with spin-1 $W^\prime$ and $Z^\prime$ bosons. Upper limits on the cross section are set for resonances with mass between 1.5 and 5.0 TeV, ranging from 6.8 to 0.53 fb for $W^\prime \to WH$ and from 8.7 to 0.53 fb for $Z^\prime \to ZH$ at the 95 % confidence level.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the cross section in the WH channel.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the cross section in the ZH channel.
Signal acceptance times efficiency of HVT WH(qqbb) events as a function of the resonance mass at different cut stages. Auxiliary table attached for 2 TeV mass point.
Inclusive and differential cross-sections for the production of top quarks in association with a photon are measured with proton$-$proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The data were collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC during Run 2 between 2015 and 2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measurements are performed in a fiducial volume defined at parton level. Events with exactly one photon, one electron and one muon of opposite sign, and at least two jets, of which at least one is $b$-tagged, are selected. The fiducial cross-section is measured to be $39.6\,^{+2.7}_{-2.3}\,\textrm{fb}$. Differential cross-sections as functions of several observables are compared with state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulations and next-to-leading-order theoretical calculations. These include cross-sections as functions of photon kinematic variables, angular variables related to the photon and the leptons, and angular separations between the two leptons in the event. All measurements are in agreement with the predictions from the Standard Model.
The measured fiducial cross-section in the electron-muon channel. The first uncertainty is the statistical uncertainty and the second one is the systematic uncertainty.
The absolute differential cross-section measured in the fiducial phase-space as a function of the photon pT in the electron-muon channel. The uncertainty is decomposed into four components which are the signal modelling uncertainty, the background modelling uncertainty, the experimental uncertainty, and the data statistical uncertainty.
The absolute differential cross-section measured in the fiducial phase-space as a function of the photon $|\eta|$ in the electron-muon channel. The uncertainty is decomposed into four components which are the signal modelling uncertainty, the background modelling uncertainty, the experimental uncertainty, and the data statistical uncertainty.
Decays of the 125 GeV Higgs boson into a Z boson and a $\rho^0$(770) or $\phi$(1020) meson are searched for using proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV. The analysed data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$. Events are selected in which the Z boson decays into a pair of electrons or a pair of muons, and the $\rho$ and $\phi$ mesons decay into pairs of pions and kaons, respectively. No significant excess above the background model is observed. As different polarization states are possible for the decay products of the Z boson and $\rho$ or $\phi$ mesons, affecting the signal acceptance, scenarios in which the decays are longitudinally or transversely polarized are considered. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the Higgs boson branching fractions into Z$\rho$ and Z$\phi$ are determined to be 1.04-1.31% and 0.31-0.40%, respectively, where the ranges reflect the considered polarization scenarios; these values are 740-940 and 730-950 times larger than the respective standard model expectations. These results constitute the first experimental limits on the two decay channels.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on B(H $\rightarrow$ Z$\rho$), for different polarizations.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on B(H $\rightarrow$ Z$\phi$), for different polarizations.
The ratios of the production cross sections between the excited $\Upsilon$(2S) and $\Upsilon$(3S) mesons and the $\Upsilon$(1S) ground state, detected via their decay into two muons, are studied as a function of the number of charged particles in the event. The data are from proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.8 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. Evidence of a decrease in these ratios as a function of the particle multiplicity is observed, more pronounced at low transverse momentum $p_\mathrm{T}^{\mu\mu}$. For $\Upsilon$(nS) mesons with $p_\mathrm{T}^{\mu\mu}$ $\gt$ 7 GeV, where most of the data were collected, the correlation with multiplicity is studied as a function of the underlying event transverse sphericity and the number of particles in a cone around the $\Upsilon$(nS) direction. The ratios are found to be multiplicity independent for jet-like events. The mean $p_\mathrm{T}^{\mu\mu}$ values for the $\Upsilon$(nS) states as a function of particle multiplicity are also measured and found to grow more steeply as their mass increases.
The measured ratios $\Upsilon(2$S$)\,/\,\Upsilon(1$S$)$ and $\Upsilon(3$S$)\,/\,\Upsilon(1$S$)$ with $p_T(\Upsilon(n$S$))>7\,GeV$ and $|y(\Upsilon(n$S$))| < 1.2$, as a function of track multiplicity $N_{track}$
The measured ratios $\Upsilon(2$S$)\,/\,\Upsilon(1$S$)$ and $\Upsilon(3$S$)\,/\,\Upsilon(1$S$)$ with $p_T(\Upsilon(n$S$))>0\,GeV$ and $|y(\Upsilon(n$S$))| < 1.93$, as a function of track multiplicity $N_{track}$.
Mean $p_T$ values of the $\Upsilon(1$S$)$, $\Upsilon(2$S$)$, and $\Upsilon(3S)$ states with $p_T\,>\,7\,GeV$ and $|y|\,<\,1.2$ as a function of track multiplicity $N_{track}$
We present a measurement of the first-order azimuthal anisotropy, $v_1(y)$, of deuterons from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, and 39 GeV recorded with the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The energy dependence of the $v_1(y)$ slope, $dv_{1}/dy|_{y=0}$, for deuterons, where $y$ is the rapidity, is extracted for semi-central collisions (10-40\% centrality) and compared to that of protons. While the $v_1(y)$ slopes of protons are generally negative for $\sqrt{s_{NN}} >$ 10 GeV, those for deuterons are consistent with zero, a strong enhancement of the $v_1(y)$ slope of deuterons is seen at the lowest collision energy (the largest baryon density) at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 7.7 GeV. In addition, we report the transverse momentum dependence of $v_1$ for protons and deuterons. The experimental results are compared with transport and coalescence models.
The 1st-order event plane ($\Psi_{1}$) resolution as a function of centrality of Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, and 39 GeV. The $\Psi_{1}$ is reconstructed with the BBC detectors and its resolution is estimated by the correlation of sub-$\Psi_{1}$ from east BBC and west BBC. Data presented later (10-40\% centrality) is indicated by the dashed-line box.
Rapidity dependene of $v_1$ for protons(open squares) in 10-40 \%Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, and 39 GeV. The lines, dashed-dot line for proton and dashed line for deuteron, at the midrapidity ($|y| < 0.6$) are the fit with linear functions to extract the slopes. The plotted uncertainties are the statistical only
Rapidity dependene of $v_1$ for deuterons(solid circles) in 10-40 \%Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, and 39 GeV. The lines, dashed-dot line for proton and dashed line for deuteron, at the midrapidity ($|y| < 0.6$) are the fit with linear functions to extract the slopes. The plotted uncertainties are the statistical only
Measurements of the Standard Model Higgs boson decaying into a $b\bar{b}$ pair and produced in association with a $W$ or $Z$ boson decaying into leptons, using proton-proton collision data collected between 2015 and 2018 by the ATLAS detector, are presented. The measurements use collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = $13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The production of a Higgs boson in association with a $W$ or $Z$ boson is established with observed (expected) significances of 4.0 (4.1) and 5.3 (5.1) standard deviations, respectively. Cross-sections of associated production of a Higgs boson decaying into bottom quark pairs with an electroweak gauge boson, $W$ or $Z$, decaying into leptons are measured as a function of the gauge boson transverse momentum in kinematic fiducial volumes. The cross-section measurements are all consistent with the Standard Model expectations, and the total uncertainties vary from 30% in the high gauge boson transverse momentum regions to 85% in the low regions. Limits are subsequently set on the parameters of an effective Lagrangian sensitive to modifications of the $WH$ and $ZH$ processes as well as the Higgs boson decay into $b\bar{b}$.
Best-fit values and uncertainties for $VH, V\rightarrow\mathrm{leptons}$ for the cross-section times the $H\rightarrow b\bar{b}$ branching fraction, in the reduced stage-1.2 simplififed template cross-sections (STXS) scheme. The SM predictions for each region is also shown. They are obtained from the samples of simulated events scaled to the inclusive cross-sections calculated at NNLO(QCD)+NLO(EW) accuracy for the $qq\rightarrow WH$ and $qq\rightarrow ZH$ processes, and at NLO+NLL accuracy for the $gg\rightarrow ZH$ process. The contributions to the total uncertainty in the measurements from statistical (Stat.) or systematic uncertainties in the signal modelling (Th. sig.), background modelling (Th. bkg.) and in experimental performance (Exp.) are given separately. All leptonic decays of the $V$ bosons (including those to $\tau$ leptons, $\ell = e, \mu, \tau$) are considered.
Observed correlations between the measured reduced stage-1.2 simplified template $VH, H \rightarrow b\bar{b}$ cross-sections (STXS), including both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. All leptonic decays of the $V$ bosons (including those to $\tau$ leptons, $\ell = e, \mu, \tau$) are considered.
Linear combination of Wilson coefficients corresponding to SMEFT operators in the Warsaw basis for which this analysis provides orthogonal constraints (eigenvectors). Eigenvalues are shown for each eigenvector, which provides a measure of the experimental sensitivity to that linear combination. The modifications to the $qq\rightarrow ZH$ and $qq\rightarrow WH$ processes due to SMEFT operators are computed at LO, and changes to the $gg\rightarrow ZH$ process are neglected.
Measurement of the fiducial inclusive and differential production cross sections of the Higgs boson in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV are performed using events where the Higgs boson decays into a pair of W bosons that subsequently decay into a final state with an electron, a muon, and a pair of neutrinos. The analysis is based on data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC during 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$. Production cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum of the Higgs boson and the associated jet multiplicity. The Higgs boson signal is extracted and simultaneously unfolded to correct for selection efficiency and resolution effects using maximum-likelihood fits to the observed distributions in data. The integrated fiducial cross section is measured to be 86.5 $\pm$ 9.5 fb, consistent with the Standard Model expectation of 82.5 $\pm$ 4.2 fb. No significant deviation from the Standard Model expectations is observed in the differential measurements.
The fiducial differential signal strength and cross section in each Higgs pT bin. Both the unregularized and regularized signal strengthes are given. For the regularized case the uncertainty breakdown is given in terms of statistical (stat), experimental (exp), theoretical uncertainties on the background (bkg) and on the signal (sig), and the luminosity uncertainty (lumi). The regularization estimated bias (bias) is also given. The fiducial cross section and its full uncertainty in each bin are also given. The last bin is inclusive.
The correlation matrix for the ptH measurements, both for the unregularized and regularized fits. The last bin is inclusive.
The fiducial differential signal strength and cross section in each njet bin. The uncertainty breakdown is given in terms of statistical (stat), experimental (exp), theoretical uncertainties on the background (bkg) and on the signal (sig), and the luminosity uncertainty (lumi). The fiducial cross section and its full uncertainty in each bin are also given. The last bin is inclusive.