A search for exclusive two-photon production via photon exchange in proton-proton collisions, pp $\to$ p$\gamma\gamma$p with intact protons, is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb$^{-1}$ collected in 2016 using the CMS and TOTEM detectors at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the LHC. Events are selected with a diphoton invariant mass above 350 GeV and with both protons intact in the final state, to reduce backgrounds from strong interactions. The events of interest are those where the invariant mass and rapidity calculated from the momentum losses of the forward-moving protons matches the mass and rapidity of the central, two-photon system. No events are found that satisfy this condition. Interpreting this result in an effective dimension-8 extension of the standard model, the first limits are set on the two anomalous four-photon coupling parameters. If the other parameter is constrained to its standard model value, the limits at 95% CL are $\lvert\zeta_1\rvert$ $\lt$ 2.9 $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ GeV$^{-4}$ and $\lvert\zeta_2\rvert$ $\lt$ 6.0 $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ GeV$^{-4}$.
Cut flow for the diphoton selection stages defined in the text (signal contribution is magnified by a factor 5000).
Cut flow for the diphoton selection stages defined in the text (signal contribution is magnified by a factor 5000).
Invariant mass distribution of the diphoton pairs for the elastic selection region with events satisfying a < 0.005 (signal contribution is magnified by a factor 5000).
A search for dark matter in the form of strongly interacting massive particles (SIMPs) using the CMS detector at the LHC is presented. The SIMPs would be produced in pairs that manifest themselves as pairs of jets without tracks. The energy fraction of jets carried by charged particles is used as a key discriminator to suppress efficiently the large multijet background, and the remaining background is estimated directly from data. The search is performed using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 16.1 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the CMS detector in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. For the simplified dark matter model under consideration, SIMPs with masses up to 100 GeV are excluded and further sensitivity is explored towards higher masses.
Distribution of the number of jets with pT > 30 GeV and |eta| < 5. The simulated QCD multijet background is compared with the signal expected for three different SIMP masses, with their cross sections scaled as indicated in the legend. The baseline selection is applied, except the events with three or more jets with pT > 30 GeV and |eta| < 5 are included.
Distribution of the value of ChF of the two leading jets. The simulated QCD multijet background is compared with the signal expected for three different SIMP masses, with their cross sections scaled as indicated in the legend. The baseline selection is applied.
The number of background events obtained from the 1- and 2-leg predictions using reconstructed objects in simulation, compared to the direct prediction from MC simulation, shown for various upper ChF thresholds. The bottom panel shows the ratios of the MC prediction to the 1-leg and the 2-leg background predictions.
A search is presented for a heavy vector resonance decaying into a Z boson and the standard model Higgs boson, where the Z boson is identified through its leptonic decays to electrons, muons, or neutrinos, and the Higgs boson is identified through its hadronic decays. The search is performed in a Lorentz-boosted regime and is based on data collected from 2016 to 2018 at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$. Upper limits are derived on the production of a narrow heavy resonance Z', and a mass below 3.5 and 3.7 TeV is excluded at 95% confidence level in models where the heavy vector boson couples exclusively to fermions and to bosons, respectively. These are the most stringent limits placed on the Heavy Vector Triplet Z' model to date. If the heavy vector boson couples exclusively to standard model bosons, upper limits on the product of the cross section and branching fraction are set between 23 and 0.3 fb for a Z' mass between 0.8 and 4.6 TeV, respectively. This is the first limit set on a heavy vector boson coupling exclusively to standard model bosons in its production and decay.
The product of signal acceptance and efficiency in the 0l categories for the signal produced via qqbar annihilation.
The product of signal acceptance and efficiency in the 2l categories for the signal produced via qqbar annihilation.
The product of signal acceptance and efficiency in the 0l categories for the signal produced via vector boson fusion.
The production of Z boson pairs in proton-proton (pp) collisions, pp $\to$ (Z/$\gamma^*$)(Z/$\gamma^*$) $\to$ 2$\ell$ 2$\ell'$, where $\ell,\ell'$ = e or $\mu$, is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$, collected during 2016-2018. The ZZ production cross section, $\sigma_{\text{tot}}$ (pp $\to$ ZZ) = 17.2 $\pm$ 0.3 (stat) $\pm$ 0.5 (syst) $\pm$ 0.4 (theo) $\pm$ 0.3 (lumi) pb, measured for events with two pairs of opposite-sign, same-flavor leptons produced in the mass region 60 $\lt$ $m_{\ell^+\ell^-}$ $\lt $ 120 GeV is consistent with standard model predictions. Differential cross sections are also measured and agree with theoretical predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZ$\gamma$ couplings.
Differential cross sections normalized to the fiducial cross section for the combined 4e, 2e2µ, and 4µ decay channels as a function of pT for all leptons in the event
Differential cross sections normalized to the fiducial cross section for the combined 4e, 2e2µ, and 4µ decay channels as a function of pT for all Z bosons in the event
Differential cross sections normalized to the fiducial cross section for the combined 4e, 2e2µ, and 4µ decay channels as a function of pT of the ZZ system
A search is described for the production of a pair of bottom-type vector-like quarks (VLQs), each decaying into a b or $\mathrm{\bar{b}}$ quark and either a Higgs or a Z boson, with a mass greater than 1000 GeV. The analysis is based on data from proton-proton collisions at a 13 TeV center-of-mass energy recorded at the CERN LHC, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$. As the predominant decay modes of the Higgs and Z bosons are to a pair of quarks, the analysis focuses on final states consisting of jets resulting from the six quarks produced in the events. Since the two jets produced in the decay of a highly Lorentz-boosted Higgs or Z boson can merge to form a single jet, nine independent analyses are performed, categorized by the number of observed jets and the reconstructed event mode. No signal in excess of the expected background is observed. Lower limits are set on the VLQ mass at 95% confidence level equal to 1570 GeV in the case where the VLQ decays exclusively to a b quark and a Higgs boson, 1390 GeV for when it decays exclusively to a b quark and a Z boson, and 1450 GeV for when it decays equally in these two modes. These limits represent significant improvements over the previously published VLQ limits.
Measured values of the trigger efficiencies for events with $\HT > 1350\GeV$. The uncertainties are statistical only.
Reconstructed VLQ mass distributions for simulated signal events with a generated VLQ mass $m_{B} = 1200\GeV$. A moderate requirement of $\chi^{2}$/ndf < 2$ is applied to the events. Mass distributions for 4-jet (left), 5-jet (center), and 6-jet (right) events are shown for the three decay modes: bHbH (upper row), bHbZ (middle row), and bZbZ (lower row).
Reconstructed VLQ mass distributions for simulated signal events with a generated VLQ mass $m_{B} = 1200\GeV$. A moderate requirement of $\chi^{2}$/ndf < 2$ is applied to the events. Mass distributions for 4-jet (left), 5-jet (center), and 6-jet (right) events are shown for the three decay modes: bHbH (upper row), bHbZ (middle row), and bZbZ (lower row).
A search for new physics in events with two highly Lorentz-boosted Z bosons and large missing transverse momentum is presented. The analyzed proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$, were recorded at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. The search utilizes the substructure of jets with large radius to identify quark pairs from Z boson decays. Backgrounds from standard model processes are suppressed by requirements on the jet mass and the missing transverse momentum. No significant excess in the event yield is observed beyond the number of background events expected from the standard model. For a simplified supersymmetric model in which the Z bosons arise from the decay of gluinos, an exclusion limit of 1920 GeV on the gluino mass is set at 95% confidence level. This is the first search for beyond-standard-model production of pairs of boosted Z bosons plus large missing transverse momentum.
Cross section upper limit vs m(GLUINO) for SMS model T5ZZ.
Cross section upper limit vs m(GLUINO) for SMS model T5ZZ.
Cross section upper limit vs m(GLUINO) for SMS model T5ZZ.
This paper reports on a search for an extended scalar sector of the standard model, where a new CP-even (odd) boson decays to a Z boson and a lighter CP-odd (even) boson, and the latter further decays to a b quark pair. The Z boson is reconstructed via its decays to electron or muon pairs. The analysed data were recorded in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC during 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. Data and predictions from the standard model are in agreement within the uncertainties. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section times branching fraction, with masses of the new bosons up to 1000 GeV. The results are interpreted in the context of the two-Higgs-doublet model.
The dijet mass distribution in data and simulated background events after requiring all the analysis selections, for μμ + ee events. The various signal hypotheses displayed have been scaled to a cross section of 1 pb for display purposes.
The llbb mass distribution in data and simulated background events after requiring all the analysis selections, for μμ + ee events. The various signal hypotheses displayed have been scaled to a cross section of 1 pb for display purposes.
The rho distributions for the same-flavour category events corresponding to a signal hypothesis with mH = 261 GeV and mA = 150 GeV. The signal is normalised to its theoretical cross section.
Results are reported from a search for supersymmetric particles in the final state with multiple jets and large missing transverse momentum. The search uses a sample of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV collected with the CMS detector in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$, representing essentially the full LHC Run 2 data sample. The analysis is performed in a four-dimensional search region defined in terms of the number of jets, the number of tagged bottom quark jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta, and the magnitude of the vector sum of jet transverse momenta. No significant excess in the event yield is observed relative to the expected background contributions from standard model processes. Limits on the pair production of gluinos and squarks are obtained in the framework of simplified models for supersymmetric particle production and decay processes. Assuming the lightest supersymmetric particle to be a neutralino, lower limits on the gluino mass as large as 2000 to 2310 GeV are obtained at 95% confidence level, while lower limits on the squark mass as large as 1190 to 1630 GeV are obtained, depending on the production scenario.
Observed yields and pre-fit background predictions for Njets 2-3.
Observed yields and pre-fit background predictions for Njets 4-5.
Observed yields and pre-fit background predictions for Njets 6-7.
A search for a light charged Higgs boson (H$^+$) decaying to a W boson and a CP-odd Higgs boson (A) in final states with e$\mu\mu$ or $\mu\mu\mu$ is performed using data from pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV, recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. In this search, it is assumed that the H$^+$ boson is produced in decays of top quarks, and the A boson decays to two oppositely charged muons. The presence of signals for H$^+$ boson masses between 100 and 160 GeV and A boson masses between 15 and 75 GeV is investigated. No evidence for the production of the H$^+$ boson is found. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are obtained on the combined branching fraction for the decay chain t $\to$ bH$^+$ $\to$ bW$^+$A $\to$ bW$^+\mu^+\mu^-$, of 1.9 $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ to 8.6 $\times$ 10$^{-6}$, depending on the masses of the H$^+$ and A bosons. These are the first limits for these decay modes of the H$^+$ and A bosons.
Expected and observed upper limits at 95% CL on the branching fraction of the top quark, $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{t}\to\mathrm{b}\mathrm{H^{+}})$, for the A boson masses ($\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{A}}$), with an assumption of the $\mathrm{H^{+}}$ boson mass $\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{H^{+}}}=\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{A}}$+85 GeV. In the calculation, the $t\overline{t}$ production cross section is set to 832 pb, and the branching fractions $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{A}\to\mu^{+}\mu^{-})$ and $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{H^{+}}\to\mathrm{W^{+}}\mathrm{A})$ are assumed to be $3\times10^{-4}$ and 1, respectively.
Expected and observed upper limits at 95% CL on $\mathcal{B}_{sig}=\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{t}\to\mathrm{b}\mathrm{H^{+}})\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{H^{+}}\to\mathrm{W^{+}}\mathrm{A})\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{A}\to\mu^{+}\mu^{-})$ for the A boson masses ($\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{A}}$). The $\mathrm{H^{+}}$ boson mass is assumed to be $\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{A}}$+85 GeV in the calculation.
Expected and observed upper limits at 95% CL on the branching fraction of the top quark, $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{t}\to\mathrm{b}\mathrm{H^{+}})$, for the A boson masses ($\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{A}}$), with an assumption of the $\mathrm{H^{+}}$ boson mass $\mathit{m}_{\mathrm{H^{+}}}$ = 160 GeV. In the calculation, the $t\overline{t}$ production cross section is set to 832 pb, and the branching fractions $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{A}\to\mu^{+}\mu^{-})$ and $\mathcal{B}(\mathrm{H^{+}}\to\mathrm{W^{+}}\mathrm{A})$ are assumed to be $3\times10^{-4}$ and 1, respectively.
A search for nonresonant excesses in the invariant mass spectra of electron and muon pairs is presented. The analysis is based on data from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment in 2016, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 36 fb$^{-1}$. No significant deviation from the standard model is observed. Limits are set at 95% confidence level on energy scales for two general classes of nonresonant models. For a class of fermion contact interaction models, lower limits ranging from 20 to 32 TeV are set on the characteristic compositeness scale $\Lambda$. For the Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali model of large extra dimensions, the first results in the dilepton final state at 13 TeV are reported, and values of the ultraviolet cutoff parameter $\Lambda_\mathrm{T}$ below 6.9 TeV are excluded. A combination with recent CMS diphoton results improves this exclusion to $\Lambda_\mathrm{T}$ below 7.7 TeV, providing the most sensitive limits to date in nonhadronic final states.
Electron pair invariant mass spectra for the combined barrel-barrel and barrel-endcap event categories. Example model predictions are given for CI. The lower panel shows the relative difference between the data and predicted background. The gray band gives the fractional uncertainty (statistical and systematic) in the prediction.
Muon pair invariant mass spectra for the combined barrel-barrel and barrel-endcap event categories. Example model predictions are given for the ADD model. The lower panel shows the relative difference between the data and predicted background. The gray band gives the fractional uncertainty (statistical and systematic) in the prediction.
Dilepton exclusion limits at 95% CL on the CI scale (Lambda) for the six CI models considered for the electron channel. The limits are obtained for m > 400(2200) GeV in the case of constructive (destructive) interference.
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