A standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) analysis with dimension-six operators probing nonresonant new physics effects is performed in the Higgs-strahlung process, where the Higgs boson is produced in association with a W or Z boson, in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The final states in which the W or Z boson decays leptonically and the Higgs boson decays to a pair of bottom quarks are considered. The analyzed data were collected by the CMS experiment between 2016 and 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. An approach designed to simultaneously optimize the sensitivity to Wilson coefficients of multiple SMEFT operators is employed. Likelihood scans as functions of the Wilson coefficients that carry SMEFT sensitivity in this final state are performed for different expansions in SMEFT. The results are consistent with the predictions of the standard model.
Summary of results in terms of best fit value of the Wilson coefficients and the intervals where the test statistic is below 1 and 4, with up to the linear and quadratic terms in the SMEFT parameterization.
Profiled limits on the energy scale $\Lambda$ for three different assumptions for each Wilson coefficient while fixing the other Wilson coefficients to their SM values with up to the linear and quadratic terms in SMEFT parameterization.
Observed two-dimensional likelihood scans for $c_{Hq}^{(1)}$ vs. $c_{Hq}^{(3)}$ while allowing the other coefficients to float freely at each point of the sca.
A search is presented for a heavy resonance decaying into a Z boson and a Higgs (H) boson. The analysis is based on data from proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$, recorded with the CMS experiment in the years 2016-2018. Resonance masses between 1.4 and 5 TeV are considered, resulting in large transverse momenta of the Z and H bosons. Final states that result from Z boson decays to pairs of electrons, muons, or neutrinos are considered. The H boson is reconstructed as a single large-radius jet, recoiling against the Z boson. Machine-learning flavour-tagging techniques are employed to identify decays of a Lorentz-boosted H boson into pairs of charm or bottom quarks, or into four quarks via the intermediate H $\to$ WW* and ZZ* decays. The analysis targets H boson decays that were not generally included in previous searches using the H $\to$$\mathrm{b\bar{b}}$ channel. Compared with previous analyses, the sensitivity for high resonance masses is improved significantly in the channel where at most one b quark is tagged.
The product of signal acceptance and efficiency for signal events as a function of $m_{Z'}$ for the charged-lepton and neutrino channels in the SR. The efficiency is calculated with respect to Z boson decays to charged leptons and neutrinos for the charged-lepton and neutrino channels, respectively. For comparison, the results from the $\leq$ 1 b category of the previous CMS search in the ZH channel are shown as dashed lines.
The product of signal acceptance and efficiency for signal events as a function of $m_{Z'}$ for the charged-lepton and neutrino channels in the SR. The efficiency is calculated with respect to Z boson decays to charged leptons and neutrinos for the charged-lepton and neutrino channels, respectively. For comparison, the results from the $\leq$ 1 b category of the previous CMS search in the ZH channel are shown as dashed lines.
Distributions in $m_{Z'}^{rec}$ for data in the SRs, together with fits of the background functions under the background-only hypothesis for the muon channel. The number of observed events in each bin is divided by the bin width. The signal predictions are shown for different Z' boson masses, normalized to an arbitrary cross section of 1 fb. In the panels below the distributions, the ratios of data to the background function are displayed. The shaded green areas represent the statistical uncertainty from the fit. The $\chi^2$ values per number of degrees of freedom ($\chi^2$/n.d.f.) and the corresponding $p$-values are provided for each fit.
An analysis of the production of a Higgs boson ($H$) in association with a top quark-antiquark pair ($\mathrm{t\bar{t}}H$) or a single top quark ($tH$) is presented. The Higgs boson decay into a bottom quark-antiquark pair ($H \to\mathrm{b\bar{b}}$) is targeted, and three different final states of the top quark decays are considered, defined by the number of leptons (electrons or muons) in the event. The analysis utilises proton-proton collision data collected at the CERN LHC with the CMS experiment at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV in 2016-2018, which correspond to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The observed $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}H$ production rate relative to the standard model expectation is 0.33 $\pm$ 0.26 = 0.33 $\pm$ 0.17 (stat) $\pm$ 0.21 (syst). Additionally, the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}H$ production rate is determined in intervals of Higgs boson transverse momentum. An upper limit at 95% confidence level is set on the tH production rate of 14.6 times the standard model prediction, with an expectation of 19.3 $^{+9.2}_{-6.0}$. Finally, constraints are derived on the strength and structure of the coupling between the Higgs boson and the top quark from simultaneous extraction of the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}H$ and $tH$ production rates, and the results are combined with those obtained in other Higgs boson decay channels.
Best fit results of the ttH signal-strength modifier in each channel, in each year, and in the combination of all channels and years. Uncertainties are correlated between the channels and years.
Likelihood-ratio test statistic as a function of the ttH strength modifiers $\mu_{ttH}$ and the $ttB$ background normalisation. The observed best fit point is $(\mu_{ttH}, ttB) = (0.33, 1.19)$.
Best fit results of the ttH signal-strength modifiers in the different Higgs pT bins of the STXS measurement.
A search is presented for the decay of the 125 GeV Higgs boson (H) to a pair of new light pseudoscalar bosons (a), followed by the prompt decay of each a boson to a bottom quark-antiquark pair, H $\to$ aa $\to$$\mathrm{b\bar{b}b\bar{b}}$. The analysis is performed using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. To reduce the background from standard model processes, the search requires the Higgs boson to be produced in association with a leptonically decaying W or Z boson. The analysis probes the production of new light bosons in a 15 $\lt$$m_\mathrm{a}$$\lt$ 60 GeV mass range. Assuming the standard model predictions for the Higgs boson production cross sections for pp $\to$ WH and ZH, model independent upper limits at 95% confidence level are derived for the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$(H $\to$ aa $\to$ $\mathrm{b\bar{b}b\bar{b}}$). The combined WH and ZH observed upper limit on the branching fraction ranges from 1.10 for $m_\mathrm{a} =$ 20 GeV to 0.36 for $m_\mathrm{a} =$ 60 GeV, complementing other measurements in the $\mu\mu\tau\tau$, $\tau\tau\tau\tau$ and bb$\ell\ell$ ($\ell = $ $\mu$, $\tau$) channels.
Post-fit BDT distributions in the WH channel extracted with the ma = 60 GeV signal hypothesis. Signal regions for the 3b (upper) and 4b (lower) event categories are shown separately for the electron (left) and muon (right) channels. The dotted lines WH20 GeV, WH60 GeV, illustrate the shapes of the signal template normalised to the SM cross section times a branching fraction B(H → aa → bbbb) = 1 and scaled by the factors indicated in the figure. The horizontal error bars indicate the bin width.
Post-fit BDT distributions in the ZH channel extracted with the ma = 60 GeV signal hypothesis. Signal regions for the 3b (upper) and 4b (lower) event categories are shown separately for the electron (left) and muon (right) channels. The dotted lines ZH20 GeV and ZH60 GeV, illustrate the shapes of the signal template normalised to the SM cross section times a branching fraction B(H → aa → bbbb) = 1 and scaled by the factors indicated in the figure. The horizontal error bars indicate the bin width.
Model independent 95% CL upper limits on σ(VH) B(H → aa → bbbb)/σ(SM) for the WH channel (upper), the ZH channel (middle), and the combination of both channels (lower), where “a” is a new pseudoscalar particle decaying through a → bb, and σ(SM) is the SM Higgs boson production cross section.
A study of the anomalous couplings of the Higgs boson to vector bosons, including $CP$-violation effects, has been conducted using its production and decay in the WW channel. This analysis is performed on proton-proton collision data collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC during 2016-2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The different-flavor dilepton (e$\mu$) final state is analyzed, with dedicated categories targeting gluon fusion, electroweak vector boson fusion, and associated production with a W or Z boson. Kinematic information from associated jets is combined using matrix element techniques to increase the sensitivity to anomalous effects at the production vertex. A simultaneous measurement of four Higgs boson couplings to electroweak vector bosons is performed in the framework of a standard model effective field theory. All measurements are consistent with the expectations for the standard model Higgs boson and constraints are set on the fractional contribution of the anomalous couplings to the Higgs boson production cross section.
Expected profiled likelihood on $f_{a2}$ using Approach 1. The signal strength modifiers are treated as free parameters. Axis scales are varied to improve the visibility of important features.
Observed profiled likelihood on $f_{a2}$ using Approach 1. The signal strength modifiers are treated as free parameters. Axis scales are varied to improve the visibility of important features.
Expected profiled likelihood on $f_{\Lambda1}$ using Approach 1. The signal strength modifiers are treated as free parameters. Axis scales are varied to improve the visibility of important features.
Differential cross sections are measured for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with vector bosons (W, Z) and decaying to a pair of b quarks. Measurements are performed within the framework of the simplified template cross sections. The analysis relies on the leptonic decays of the W and Z bosons, resulting in final states with 0, 1, or 2 electrons or muons. The Higgs boson candidates are either reconstructed from pairs of resolved b-tagged jets, or from single large distance parameter jets containing the particles arising from two b quarks. Proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment in 2016-2018 and corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$, are analyzed. The inclusive signal strength, defined as the product of the observed production cross section and branching fraction relative to the standard model expectation, combining all analysis categories, is found to be $\mu$ = 1.15 $^{+0.22}_{-0.20}$. This corresponds to an observed (expected) significance of 6.3 (5.6) standard deviations.
Measured product of cross section and branching fraction as well as signal strength, defined as the ratio of the observed signal cross section to the Standard Model expectation, in the V(leptonic)H STXS process scheme from the analysis of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 data. If the observed signal strength for a given STXS bin is negative, no uncertainty is reported for the associated bin.
Signal strength per signal process. All results combine the 2016, 2017 and 2018 data-taking years.
Signal strength per analysis channels. All results combine the 2016, 2017 and 2018 data-taking years.
A search for dark matter produced in association with a Higgs boson in final states with two hadronically decaying $\tau$-leptons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis uses $139$ fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider between 2015 and 2018. No evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model is found. The results are interpreted in terms of a 2HDM+$a$ model. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are derived. Model-independent limits are also set on the visible cross section for processes beyond the Standard Model producing missing transverse momentum in association with a Higgs boson decaying to $\tau$-leptons.
<b>- - - - - - - - Overview of HEPData Record - - - - - - - -</b> <br><br> <b>CLs and CLs+b values</b> <ul> <li><a href=?table=CLs_tanb_mA_grid_Expected>Expected CLs values in mA vs tanB grid, Low mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLs_tanb_mA_grid_Observed>Observed CLs values in mA vs tanB grid, Low mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLs_ma_mA_grid_HighmA_SR_Expected>Expected CLs values in mA vs ma grid, High mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLs_ma_mA_grid_HighmA_SR_Observed>Observed CLs values in mA vs ma grid, High mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLs_ma_mA_grid_LowmA_SR_Expected>Expected CLs values in mA vs ma grid, Low mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLs_ma_mA_grid_LowmA_SR_Observed>Observed CLs values in mA vs ma grid, Low mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLsplusb_tanb_mA_grid>CLs+b values in mA vs tanB grid, Low mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLsplusb_ma_mA_grid_HighmA_SR>CLs+b values in mA vs ma grid, High mA SR</a> <li><a href=?table=CLsplusb_ma_mA_grid_LowmA_SR>CLs+b values in mA vs ma grid, Low mA SR</a> </ul> <b>Cutflow tables</b> <ul> <li><a href=?table=Cutflows_ggf_LowmA_SR>Low mA SR, ggF production</a> <li><a href=?table=Cutflows_ggf_HighmA_SR>High mA SR, ggF production</a> <li><a href=?table=Cutflows_bb_LowmA_SR>Low mA SR, bb production</a> <li><a href=?table=Cutflows_bb_HighmA_SR>High mA SR, bb production</a> </ul> <b>Kinematic Distributions</b> <ul> <li><a href=?table=KinDist_LowmA_SR>Low mA SR mTtau1+mTtau2 distribution</a> <li><a href=?table=KinDist_HighmA_SR>High mA SR mTtau1+mTtau2 distribution</a> </ul> <b>Limits</b> <ul> <li><a href=?table=Expected_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAma_grid>Expected 95% CL exclusion limit in mA vs ma grid</a> <li><a href=?table=Observed_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAma_grid>Observed 95% CL exclusion limit in mA vs ma grid</a> <li><a href=?table=Expected_pm1sigma_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAma_grid>Expected +-1 sigma 95% CL exclusion limit in mA vs ma grid</a> <li><a href=?table=Expected_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAtanB_grid>Expected 95% CL exclusion limit in mA vs tanB grid</a> <li><a href=?table=Observed_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAtanB_grid>Observed 95% CL exclusion limit in mA vs tanB grid</a> <li><a href=?table=Expected_pm1sigma_95%_CL_exclusion_limit_mAtanB_grid>Expected +-1 sigma 95% CL exclusion limit in tanB grid</a> </ul> <b>Acceptance and efficiency</b> <ul> <li><a href=?table=table1>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table2>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table3>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 100-250 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table4>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 250-400 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table5>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table6>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table7>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table8>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table9>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 100-250 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table10>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 250-400 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table11>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table12>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table13>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table14>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table15>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 100-250 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table16>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 250-400 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table17>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table18>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table19>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table20>Acceptance, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table21>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 100-250 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table22>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 250-400 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table23>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table24>Acceptance, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table25>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table26>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table27>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 100-250 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table28>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 250-400 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table29>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table30>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table31>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table32>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >750 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table33>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 100-250 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table34>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 250-400 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table35>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table36>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >550 GeV, bb prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table37>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table38>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table39>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 100-250 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table40>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 250-400 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table41>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, 400-550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table42>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs tanB grid, >550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table43>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table44>Efficiency, High mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >750 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table45>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 100-250 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table46>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 250-400 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table47>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, 400-550 GeV, ggF prod</a> <li><a href=?table=table48>Efficiency, Low mA SR, mA vs ma grid, >550 GeV, ggF prod</a> </ul>
Expected CLs values in the Low mA SR, mA vs tanB signal grid.
Observed CLs values in the Low mA SR, mA vs tanB signal grid.
This paper presents direct searches for lepton flavour violation in Higgs boson decays, $H\rightarrow e\tau$ and $H\rightarrow\mu\tau$, performed using data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The searches are based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Leptonic ($\tau \rightarrow \ell \nu_\ell \nu_\tau$) and hadronic ($\tau \rightarrow $ hadrons $ \nu_\tau$) decays of the $\tau$-lepton are considered. Two background estimation techniques are employed: the MC-template method, based on data-corrected simulation samples, and the Symmetry method, based on exploiting the symmetry between electrons and muons in the Standard Model backgrounds. No significant excess of events is observed and the results are interpreted as upper limits on lepton-flavour-violating branching ratios of the Higgs boson. The observed (expected) upper limits set on the branching ratios at 95% confidence level, $\mathcal{B}(H\rightarrow e\tau)<0.20\%$ (0.12%) and $\mathcal{B}(H\rightarrow \mu\tau)<0.18\%$ (0.09%), are obtained with the MC-template method from a simultaneous measurement of potential $H \rightarrow e\tau$ and $H \rightarrow\mu\tau$ signals. The best-fit branching ratio difference, $\mathcal{B}(H\rightarrow \mu\tau)- \mathcal{B}(H\rightarrow e\tau)$, measured with the Symmetry method in the channel where the $\tau$-lepton decays to leptons, is (0.25 $\pm$ 0.10)%, compatible with a value of zero within 2.5$\sigma$.
Fit results of the simultaneous measurements of the $H\to e\tau$ and $H\to \mu\tau$ signals (2POI) showing upper limits at 95% C.L. on the LFV branching ratios of the Higgs boson $H\to e\tau$. The results from standalone channel/categories fits are compared with the results of the combined fit.
Fit results of the simultaneous measurements of the $H\to e\tau$ and $H\to \mu\tau$ signals (2POI) showing best-fit values of the LFV branching ratios of the Higgs boson $\hat{B}$($H\to e\tau$). The results from standalone channel/categories fits are compared with the results of the combined fit.
Fit results of the simultaneous measurements of the $H\to e\tau$ and $H\to \mu\tau$ signals (2POI) showing upper limits at 95% C.L. on the LFV branching ratios of the Higgs boson $H\to \mu\tau$. The results from standalone channel/categories fits are compared with the results of the combined fit.
A study of the charge conjugation and parity ($CP$) properties of the interaction between the Higgs boson and $\tau$-leptons is presented. The study is based on a measurement of $CP$-sensitive angular observables defined by the visible decay products of $\tau$-lepton decays, where at least one hadronic decay is required. The analysis uses 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton$-$proton collision data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}= 13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Contributions from $CP$-violating interactions between the Higgs boson and $\tau$-leptons are described by a single mixing angle parameter $\phi_{\tau}$ in the generalised Yukawa interaction. Without assuming the Standard Model hypothesis for the $H\rightarrow\tau\tau$ signal strength, the mixing angle $\phi_{\tau}$ is measured to be $9^{\circ} \pm 16^{\circ}$, with an expected value of $0^{\circ} \pm 28^{\circ}$ at the 68% confidence level. The pure $CP$-odd hypothesis is disfavoured at a level of 3.4 standard deviations. The results are compatible with the predictions for the Higgs boson in the Standard Model.
Observed 1-D likelihood scan of the $CP$-mixing angle $\phi_{\tau}$.
Expected 1-D likelihood scan of the $CP$-mixing angle $\phi_{\tau}$.
Observed 2-D likelihood scan of the signal strength $\mu_{\tau\tau}$ versus the $CP$-mixing angle $\phi_{\tau}$.
A search for flavour-changing neutral current (FCNC) $tqH$ interactions involving a top quark, another up-type quark ($q=u$, $c$), and a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson decaying into a $\tau$-lepton pair ($H\rightarrow \tau^+\tau^-$) is presented. The search is based on a dataset of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Two processes are considered: single top quark FCNC production in association with a Higgs boson ($pp\rightarrow tH$), and top quark pair production in which one of the top quarks decays into $Wb$ and the other decays into $qH$ through the FCNC interactions. The search selects events with two hadronically decaying $\tau$-lepton candidates ($\tau_{\text{had}}$) or at least one $\tau_{\text{had}}$ with an additional lepton ($e$, $\mu$), as well as multiple jets. Event kinematics is used to separate signal from the background through a multivariate discriminant. A slight excess of data is observed with a significance of 2.3$\sigma$ above the expected SM background, and 95% CL upper limits on the $t\to qH$ branching ratios are derived. The observed (expected) 95% CL upper limits set on the $t\to cH$ and $t\to uH$ branching ratios are $9.4 \times 10^{-4}$ $(4.8^{+2.2}_{-1.4}\times 10^{-4})$ and $6.9\times 10^{-4}$ $(3.5^{+1.5}_{-1.0}\times 10^{-4})$, respectively. The corresponding combined observed (expected) upper limits on the dimension-6 operator Wilson coefficients in the effective $tqH$ couplings are $C_{c\phi} <1.35$ $(0.97)$ and $C_{u\phi} <1.16$ $(0.82)$.
Leading tau Pt distributions obtained before the fit to data (Pre-Fit) showing the expected background and tuH signals after applying fake factors in the $t_{\ell}\tau_{had}\tau_{had}$ region. Other MC includes single top, V+jets, and other small backgrounds. The tuH signals with nominal branching ratio of 0.1% are scaled using normalization factors of 2 to 50. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are included in the "Total background".
Leading tau Pt distributions obtained before the fit to data (Pre-Fit) showing the expected background and tuH signals after applying fake factors in the $t_{\ell}\tau_{had}$-1j region. Other MC includes single top, V+jets, and other small backgrounds. The tuH signals with nominal branching ratio of 0.1% are scaled using normalization factors of 2 to 50. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are included in the "Total background".
Leading tau Pt distributions obtained before the fit to data (Pre-Fit) showing the expected background and tuH signals after applying fake factors in the $t_{\ell}\tau_{had}$-2j region. Other MC includes single top, V+jets, and other small backgrounds. The tuH signals with nominal branching ratio of 0.1% are scaled using normalization factors of 2 to 50. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are included in the "Total background".