A search for flavor-changing neutral-current couplings between a top quark, an up or charm quark and a $Z$ boson is presented, using proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analyzed dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The search targets both single-top-quark events produced as $gq\rightarrow tZ$ (with $q = u, c$) and top-quark-pair events, with one top quark decaying through the $t \rightarrow Zq$ channel. The analysis considers events with three leptons (electrons or muons), a $b$-tagged jet, possible additional jets, and missing transverse momentum. The data are found to be consistent with the background-only hypothesis and 95% confidence-level limits on the $t \rightarrow Zq$ branching ratios are set, assuming only tensor operators of the Standard Model effective field theory framework contribute to the $tZq$ vertices. These are $6.2 \times 10^{-5}$ ($13\times 10^{-5}$) for $t\rightarrow Zu$ ($t\rightarrow Zc$) for a left-handed $tZq$ coupling, and $6.6 \times 10^{-5}$ ($12\times 10^{-5}$) in the case of a right-handed coupling. These results are interpreted as 95% CL upper limits on the strength of corresponding couplings, yielding limits for $|C_{uW}^{(13)*}|$ and $|C_{uB}^{(13)*}|$ ($|C_{uW}^{(31)}|$ and $|C_{uB}^{(31)}|$) of 0.15 (0.16), and limits for $|C_{uW}^{(23)*}|$ and $|C_{uB}^{(23)*}|$ ($|C_{uW}^{(32)}|$ and $|C_{uB}^{(32)}|$) of 0.22 (0.21), assuming a new-physics energy scale $\Lambda_\text{NP}$ of 1 TeV.
Summary of the signal strength $\mu$ parameters obtained from the fits to extract LH and RH results for the FCNC tZu and tZc couplings. For the reference branching ratio, the most stringent limits are used.
Observed and expected 95% CL limits on the FCNC $t\rightarrow Zq$ branching ratios and the effective coupling strengths for different vertices and couplings (top eight rows). For the latter, the energy scale is assumed to be $\Lambda_{NP}$ = 1 TeV. The bottom rows show, for the case of the FCNC $t\rightarrow Zu$ branching ratio, the observed and expected 95% CL limits when only one of the two SRs, either SR1 or SR2, and all CRs are included in the likelihood.
Comparison between data and background prediction before the fit (Pre-Fit) for the mass of the SM top-quark candidate in SR1. The uncertainty band includes both the statistical and systematic uncertainties in the background prediction. The four FCNC LH signals are also shown separately, normalized to five times the cross-section corresponding to the most stringent observed branching ratio limits. The first (last) bin in all distributions includes the underflow (overflow). The lower panels show the ratios of the data (Data) to the background prediction (Bkg.).
A search is performed for W' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark in the all-hadronic final state, in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The analyzed data were collected by the CMS experiment between 2016 and 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$. Deep neural network algorithms are used to identify the jet initiated by the bottom quark and the jet containing the decay products of the top quark when the W boson from the top quark decays hadronically. No excess above the estimated standard model background is observed. Upper limits on the production cross sections of W' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark are set. Both left- and right-handed W' bosons with masses below 3.4 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, and the most stringent limits to date on W' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark in the all-hadronic final state are obtained.
The reconstructed m$_{tb}$ distributions in data and expected background in signal region for the data taking period of 2016. Yield in each bin is divided by the corresponding bin width.
The reconstructed m$_{tb}$ distributions in data and expected background in validation region for the data taking period of 2016. Yield in each bin is divided by the corresponding bin width.
The reconstructed m$_{tb}$ distributions in data and expected background in signal region for the data taking period of 2017. Yield in each bin is divided by the corresponding bin width.
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.
Measurements of $\mathrm{B}^*_\mathrm{s2}(5840)^0$ and $\mathrm{B}_\mathrm{s1}(5830)^0$ mesons are performed using a data sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The analysis studies $P$-wave $\mathrm{B}^0_\mathrm{S}$ meson decays into $\mathrm{B}^{(*)+}\mathrm{K}^-$ and $\mathrm{B}^{(*)0}\mathrm{K}^0_\mathrm{S}$, where the $\mathrm{B}^+$ and $\mathrm{B}^0$ mesons are identified using the decays $\mathrm{B}^+\to\mathrm{J}/\psi\,\mathrm{K}^+$ and $\mathrm{B}^0\to\mathrm{J}/\psi\,\mathrm{K}^*(892)^0$. The masses of the $P$-wave $\mathrm{B}^0_\mathrm{S}$ meson states are measured and the natural width of the $\mathrm{B}^*_\mathrm{s2}(5840)^0$ state is determined. The first measurement of the mass difference between the charged and neutral $\mathrm{B}^*$ mesons is also presented. The $\mathrm{B}^*_\mathrm{s2}(5840)^0$ decay to $\mathrm{B}^0\mathrm{K}^0_\mathrm{S}$ is observed, together with a measurement of its branching fraction relative to the $\mathrm{B}^*_\mathrm{s2}(5840)^0\to\mathrm{B}^+\mathrm{K}^-$ decay.
The $\mathrm{J}/\psi\mathrm{K}^+$ invariant mass distribution in data
The $\mathrm{J}/\psi\mathrm{K}^{*0}$ invariant mass distribution in data
The $\mathrm{B}^+\pi^-$ invariant mass distribution of the selected candidates in data
A search for physics beyond the standard model in the final state with two same-flavour leptons (electrons or muons) and two quarks produced in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV is presented. The data were recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 inverse femtobarns. The observed data are in good agreement with the standard model background prediction. The results of the measurement are interpreted in the framework of a recently proposed model in which a heavy Majorana neutrino, N(l), stems from a composite-fermion scenario. Exclusion limits are set for the first time on the mass of the heavy composite Majorana neutrino, m[N(l)], and the compositeness scale Lambda. For the case m[N(l)] = Lambda, the existence of N(e) (N(mu)) is excluded for masses up to 4.60 (4.70) TeV at 95% confidence level.
Invariant mass distribution of two electrons and one large-radius jet. The events are selected accordingly to the signal region slection in the electron channel described in the paper.
Invariant mass distribution of two muons and one large-radius jet. The events are selected accordingly to the signal region slection in the muon channel described in the paper.
95% CL upper limits on the product of the production cross section $\sigma(pp\to N_e)$ and the branching ratio $B(N_e \to e q \bar{q}^{\prime})$ in electron channel, compared with theoretical predictions for HCMN model calculated with CalcHEP.
Results are presented from a search for new decaying massive particles whose presence is inferred from an imbalance in transverse momentum and which are produced in association with a single top quark that decays into a bottom quark and two light quarks. The measurement is performed using 19.7 inverse femtobarns of data from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. No deviations from the standard model predictions are observed and lower limits are set on the masses of new invisible bosons. In particular, scalar and vector particles, with masses below 330 and 650 GeV, respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level, thus substantially extending a previous limit published by the CDF Collaboration.
The invariant mass of the three jets prior to the selection on their mass to be less than 250 GeV, for events with one b-tagged jet. Data are compared to the simulated backgrounds. The expectation from a model for an invisible vector particle with a mass of 700 GeV is represented by the dashed line.
The 95% CL expected and observed CLS limits as functions of the mass of a scalar invisible particle. The expected magnitude of a signal as a function of mass, calculated at leading order, is shown by the dashed curve. The confidence intervals for the expected limit are given at 68% and 95% coverage probability. Information about functional form used for the signal (labeled "scalar signal" in the paper): F = 7.52936*exp(-(0.0070828*(x^1.02681))), where x = M.
The 95% CL expected and observed CLS limits as functions of the mass of a vector invisible particle. The expected magnitude of a signal as a function of mass, calculated at leading order, is shown by the dashed curve. The confidence intervals for the expected limit are given at 68% and 95% coverage probability. Information about functional form used for the signal (labeled "vector signal" in the paper): F = 1390.91*exp(-(0.397971*(x^0.477721))), where x = M.
A search for the production of heavy partners of the top quark with charge 5/3 is performed in events with a pair of same-sign leptons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 inverse femtobarns and was collected at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected background and the existence of top-quark partners with masses below 800 GeV is excluded at a 95% confidence level, assuming they decay exclusively to tW. This is the first limit on these particles from the LHC, and it is significantly more restrictive than previous limits.
The distribution of HT for all channels combined after the full selection except for the HT requirement itself.
Expected and observed 95% CL limits on the $\mathrm{T}_{5/3}$ production cross section times the branching fraction for decay to same-sign dileptons.
The distribution of HT for all channels combined, after the requirement of same- sign dileptons, the Z-boson veto, and a requirement of at least two jets.
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).
Searches for anomalous top quark-antiquark production are presented, based on pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 inverse femtobarns, were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The observed ttbar invariant mass spectrum is found to be compatible with the standard model prediction. Limits on the production cross section times branching fraction probe, for the first time, a region of parameter space for certain models of new physics not yet constrained by precision measurements.
Comparison between data and SM prediction for reconstructed M(ttbar) distributions for the boosted semi-leptonic analysis with 0 b-tagged jets.
Comparison between data and SM prediction for reconstructed M(ttbar) distributions for the boosted semi-leptonic analysis with 1 or more b-tagged jets.
Comparison between data and SM prediction for reconstructed M(ttbar) distributions for the all-hadronic analysis.
Infrared and collinear safe event shape distributions and their mean values are determined in e+e- collisions at centre-of-mass energies between 45 and 202 GeV. A phenomenological analysis based on power correction models including hadron mass effects for both differential distributions and mean values is presented. Using power corrections, alpha_s is extracted from the mean values and shapes. In an alternative approach, renormalisation group invariance (RGI) is used as an explicit constraint, leading to a consistent description of mean values without the need for sizeable power corrections. The QCD beta-function is precisely measured using this approach. From the DELPHI data on Thrust, including data from low energy experiments, one finds beta_0 = 7.86 +/- 0.32 for the one loop coefficient of the beta-function or, assuming QCD, n_f = 4.75 +/- 0.44 for the number of active flavours. These values agree well with the QCD expectation of beta_0=7.67 and n_f=5. A direct measurement of the full logarithmic energy slope excludes light gluinos with a mass below 5 GeV.
1-THRUST distribution.
THRUST-MAJOR distribution.
THRUST-MINOR distribution.