Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions create a quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a hot and dense state of strongly interacting QCD matter. In ultracentral collisions, the QGP volume remains nearly constant event-by-event, while its total entropy can fluctuate due to quantum effects, leading to temperature variations. These features allow the correlation between the mean transverse momentum $(\langle p_{\mathrm{T}} \rangle)$ of charged hadrons and their multiplicity to serve as a probe of the QGP's speed of sound, $c_{s}$. This study extracts $c_{s}$ by analyzing the relative increase in $\langle p_{\mathrm{T}} \rangle$ with respect to the charged-particle density $(\langle \mathrm{d}N_\mathrm{ch}/\mathrm{d}\eta \rangle)$ at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$, using data from the ALICE detector. Centrality is determined with estimators based on multiplicity and transverse energy, applying a pseudorapidity gap to reduce selection biases. The extracted value of $c_{s}^{2}$ is found to strongly depend on the employed centrality estimator and ranges between $0.1146 \pm 0.0028 \,\mathrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.0065 \,\mathrm{(syst.)}$ and $0.4374 \pm 0.0006 \mathrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.0184 \mathrm{(syst.)}$ in natural units. Additionally, the event-by-event $[p_{\mathrm{T}}]$ distribution is studied through its variance, skewness, and kurtosis. A pronounced decrease in the self-normalized variance and a peak followed by a drop in skewness suggest the suppression of impact-parameter fluctuations in ultracentral collisions. These observations provide new insights into the thermodynamic properties and initial-state fluctuations of the QGP.
Average number of participating nucleons ($\langle N_{\mathrm{part}} \rangle$) as a function of centrality percentile in $\mathrm{Pb}-\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$. Data points are shown for centrality estimators based on $N_{\mathrm{ch}}$, ${N_{\mathrm{tracklets}}}$, and $E_{\mathrm{T}}$ within $|\eta|\leq 0.8$.
Average number of participating nucleons ($\langle N_{\mathrm{part}} \rangle$) as a function of centrality percentile in $\mathrm{Pb}-\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$. Data points are shown for centrality estimator based on $N_{\mathrm{ch}} \in$ $-3.7<\eta<-1.7$ and $2.8 < \eta <5.1$.
Normalized $p_{\mathrm{T}}$-spectrum ratio as a function as a function of centrality in $\mathrm{Pb}-\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$. Data points are shown for centrality estimator based on $N_{\mathrm{ch}} \in$ $0.5 \leq |\eta|\leq 0.8$.
The jet cross-section and jet-substructure observables in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV were measured by the PHENIX Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Jets are reconstructed from charged-particle tracks and electromagnetic-calorimeter clusters using the anti-$k_{t}$ algorithm with a jet radius $R=0.3$ for jets with transverse momentum within $8.0<p_T<40.0$ GeV/$c$ and pseudorapidity $|η|<0.15$. Measurements include the jet cross section, as well as distributions of SoftDrop-groomed momentum fraction ($z_g$), charged-particle transverse momentum with respect to jet axis ($j_T$), and radial distributions of charged particles within jets ($r$). Also meaureed was the distribution of $ξ=-ln(z)$, where $z$ is the fraction of the jet momentum carried by the charged particle. The measurements are compared to theoretical next-to and next-to-next-to-leading-order calculatios, PYTHIA event generator, and to other existing experimental results. Indicated from these meaurements is a lower particle multiplicity in jets at RHIC energies when compared to models. Also noted are implications for future jet measurements with sPHENIX at RHIC as well as at the future Electron-Ion Collider.
The jet differential cross section as a function of jet $p_T$. Statistical uncertainties are typically smaller than the data points while systematic uncertainties are shown with boxes. An overall normalization systematic of 7% is not included in the point-by-point systematic uncertainties.
Distribution of the SoftDrop groomed momentum fraction $z_g$ for different jet $p_T$ bins. Standard SoftDrop parameters were used ($z_{cut}<0.1$ and $\beta=0$).
$\xi$ distributions for different jet $p_T$ bins.
A search for single production of a vector-like quark $Q$, which could be either a singlet $T$, with charge $\tfrac23$, or a $Y$ from a $(T,B,Y)$ triplet, with charge $-\tfrac43$, is performed using data from proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data correspond to the full integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$ recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis targets $Q \to Wb$ decays where the $W$ boson decays leptonically. The data are found to be consistent with the expected Standard Model background, so upper limits are set on the cross-section times branching ratio, and on the coupling of the $Q$ to the Standard Model sector for these two benchmark models. Effects of interference with the Standard Model background are taken into account. For the singlet $T$, the 95% confidence level limit on the coupling strength $κ$ ranges between 0.22 and 0.52 for masses from 1150 to 2300 GeV. For the $(T,B,Y)$ triplet, the limits on $κ$ vary from 0.14 to 0.46 for masses from 1150 to 2600 GeV.
Distributions of the VLQ-candidate mass, m<sub>VLQ</sub>, in the (a–c) SRs, (d–f) W+jets CRs and (g–i) tt̄ CRs after the fit to the background-only hypothesis. The columns correspond from left to right to the low-, middle-, and high-p<sub>T</sub><sup>W</sup> bins in each region. Other includes remaining backgrounds from top quarks or that contain two W/Z bosons. The last bin includes overflow. Note: the 'Data' values in the table are normalized by the width of the bin to correspond to the number of events per 100 GeV
Distributions of the VLQ-candidate mass, m<sub>VLQ</sub>, in the (a–c) SRs, (d–f) W+jets CRs and (g–i) tt̄ CRs after the fit to the background-only hypothesis. The columns correspond from left to right to the low-, middle-, and high-p<sub>T</sub><sup>W</sup> bins in each region. Other includes remaining backgrounds from top quarks or that contain two W/Z bosons. The last bin includes overflow. Note: the 'Data' values in the table are normalized by the width of the bin to correspond to the number of events per 100 GeV
Distributions of the VLQ-candidate mass, m<sub>VLQ</sub>, in the (a–c) SRs, (d–f) W+jets CRs and (g–i) tt̄ CRs after the fit to the background-only hypothesis. The columns correspond from left to right to the low-, middle-, and high-p<sub>T</sub><sup>W</sup> bins in each region. Other includes remaining backgrounds from top quarks or that contain two W/Z bosons. The last bin includes overflow. Note: the 'Data' values in the table are normalized by the width of the bin to correspond to the number of events per 100 GeV
We present a determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{cb}|$ from the decay $B\to D\ellν_\ell$ using a $365~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$$e^+e^-\toΥ(4S)\to B\bar B$ data sample recorded by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider. The semileptonic decay of one $B$ meson is reconstructed in the modes $B^0\to D^-(\to K^+π^-π^-)\ell^+ν_\ell$ and $B^+\to \bar D^0(\to K^+π^-)\ell^+ν_\ell$, where $\ell$ denotes either an electron or a muon. Charge conjugation is implied. The second $B$ meson in the $Υ(4S)$ event is not reconstructed explicitly. Using an inclusive reconstruction of the unobserved neutrino momentum, we determine the recoil variable $w=v_B\cdot v_D$, where $v_B$ and $v_D$ are the 4-velocities of the $B$ and $D$ mesons. We measure the total decay branching fractions to be $\mathcal{B}(B^0\to D^-\ell^+ν_\ell)=(2.06 \pm 0.05\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.10\,(\mathrm{sys.}))\%$ and $\mathcal{B}(B^+\to\bar D^0\ell^+ν_\ell)=(2.31 \pm 0.04\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.09\,(\mathrm{sys.}))\%$. We probe lepton flavor universality by measuring $\mathcal{B}(B\to Deν_e)/\mathcal{B}(B\to Dμν_μ)=1.020 \pm 0.020\,(\mathrm{stat.})\pm 0.022\,(\mathrm{sys.})$. Fitting the partial decay branching fraction as a function of $w$ and using the average of lattice QCD calculations of the $B\to D$ form factor, we obtain $ |V_{cb}|=(39.2\pm 0.4\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.6\,(\mathrm{sys.}) \pm 0.5\,(\mathrm{th.})$.
Differential decay rate $d\Gamma/dw$ for $B \to D \ell \nu$ averaged over 4 modes. The uncertainty listed represents the total uncertainty from statistical and systematic sources.
Differential decay rates $d\Gamma/dw$ for individual $B \to D \ell \nu$ modes. The uncertainty listed represents the total uncertainty from statistical and systematic sources.
Correlations (stat.+syst.) between the $d\Gamma_i/dw$ bins for the averaged $B \rightarrow D \ell \nu$ spectrum (10x10). Element indices 0-9 correspond to $w$ bins: 0: [1.00, 1.06], 1: [1.06, 1.12], 2: [1.12, 1.18], 3: [1.18, 1.24], 4: [1.24, 1.30], 5: [1.30, 1.36], 6: [1.36, 1.42], 7: [1.42, 1.48], 8: [1.48, 1.54], 9: [1.54, 1.59]
A measurement of the top-quark pole mass $m_{t}^\text{pole}$ is presented in $t\bar{t}$ events with an additional jet, $t\bar{t}+1\text{-jet}$, produced in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The data sample, recorded with the ATLAS experiment during Run 2 of the LHC, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140 $\text{fb}^{-1}$. Events with one electron and one muon of opposite electric charge in the final state are selected to measure the $t\bar{t}+1\text{-jet}$ differential cross-section as a function of the inverse of the invariant mass of the $t\bar{t}+1\text{-jet}$ system. Iterative Bayesian Unfolding is used to correct the data to enable comparison with fixed-order calculations at next-to-leading-order accuracy in the strong coupling. The process $pp \to t\bar{t}j$ ($2 \rightarrow 3$), where top quarks are taken as stable particles, and the process $pp \to b\bar{b}l^+νl^- \barν j$ ($2 \to 7$), which includes top-quark decays to the dilepton final state and off-shell effects, are considered. The top-quark mass is extracted using a $χ^2$ fit of the unfolded normalized differential cross-section distribution. The results obtained with the $2 \to 3$ and $2 \to 7$ calculations are compatible within theoretical uncertainties, providing an important consistency check. The more precise determination is obtained for the $2 \to 3 $ measurement: $m_{t}^\text{pole}=170.7\pm0.3(\text{stat.})\pm1.4(\text{syst.})\pm 0.3(\text{scale})\pm 0.2(\text{PDF}\oplusα_\text{S})$ GeV, which is in good agreement with other top-quark mass results.
Unfolded number of events in the 2-to-3measurement (not normalized). The parton level is defined with two stable top-quarks and a jet with $p_{T}>50$ GeV and $|\eta|<2.5$.
Covariance matrix for statistical effects of the measured number of events after unfolding, for the 2-to-3 measurement (not normalized)
Covariance matrix for statistical and systematic effects of the measured number of events after unfolding, for the 2-to-3 measurement (not normalized)
A search for Higgs boson pair production in the $b \overline{b} γγ$ final state is performed. The proton-proton collision dataset in this analysis corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 308 fb$^{-1}$, consisting of two samples, 140 fb$^{-1}$ at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and 168 fb$^{-1}$ at 13.6 TeV, recorded between 2015 and 2024 by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. In addition to a larger dataset, this analysis improves upon the previous search in the same final state through several methodological and technical developments. The Higgs boson pair production cross section divided by the Standard Model prediction is found to be $μ_{HH} = 0.9^{+1.4}_{-1.1}$ ($μ_{HH} = 1^{+1.3}_{-1.0}$ expected), which translates into a 95% confidence-level upper limit of $μ_{HH}<3.8$. At the same confidence level the Higgs self-coupling modifier is constrained to be in the range $-1.7 < κ_λ< 6.6$ ($-1.8 < κ_λ< 6.9$ expected).
Weighted di-photon invariant mass distribution summed over all categories and the two data-taking periods. The events in each category are weighted by $log(1+S_{SM}/B)$. $S_{SM}$ is the expected signal yield assuming $\mu_{HH}$=1, while B is the continuum background yield obtained from a fit to the sidebands plus the single Higgs boson background obtained from simulation, all in a ± 5 GeV window around the Higgs boson mass. The lines show the fit results for the continuum background only (light dotted), adding single Higgs boson backgrounds (black dotted) and the full fit (solid).
Weighted di-photon invariant mass distribution summed over all categories and the two data-taking periods. The events in each category are weighted by $log(1+S_{SM}/B)$. $S_{SM}$ is the expected signal yield assuming $\mu_{HH}$=1, while B is the continuum background yield obtained from a fit to the sidebands plus the single Higgs boson background obtained from simulation, all in a ± 5 GeV window around the Higgs boson mass. The lines show the fit results for the continuum background only (light dotted), adding single Higgs boson backgrounds (black dotted) and the full fit (solid).
The 95% CL upper limits on the signal strength, obtained with separate fits to Run-2 and Run-3 data as well as their combination. When computing the significance or upper limit for one data-taking period only, $\mu_{HH}$ of the other period is left free to vary. All other parameters of interest are fixed to their SM expectation.
This paper presents a search for physics beyond the Standard Model targeting a heavy resonance visible in the invariant mass of the lepton-jet system. The analysis focuses on final states with a high-energy lepton and jet, and is optimised for the resonant production of leptoquarks-a novel production mode mediated by the lepton content of the proton originating from quantum fluctuations. Four distinct and orthogonal final states are considered: $e$+light jet, $μ$+light jet, $e$+$b$-jet, and $μ$+$b$-jet, constituting the first search at the Large Hadron Collider for resonantly produced leptoquarks with couplings to electrons and muons. Events with an additional same-flavour lepton, as expected from higher-order diagrams in the signal process, are also included in each channel. The search uses proton-proton collision data from the full Run 2, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$ at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, and from a part of Run 3 (2022-2023), corresponding to 55 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s} = 13.6$ TeV. No significant excess over Standard Model predictions is observed. The results are interpreted as exclusion limits on scalar leptoquark ($\tilde{S}_1$) production, substantially improving upon previous ATLAS constraints from leptoquark pair production for large coupling values. The excluded $\tilde{S}_1$ mass ranges depend on the coupling strength, reaching up to 3.4 TeV for quark-lepton couplings $y_{de} = 1.0$, and up to 4.3 TeV, 3.1 TeV, and 2.8 TeV for $y_{sμ}$, $y_{be}$, and $y_{bμ}$ couplings set to 3.5, respectively.
Data (dots) and post-fit SM distribution (histograms) of m<sub>ℓj</sub> in (a, b) SR-1L-ej and (c, d) SR-2L-ej of the e+light-jet channel obtained by a CR+SR background-only fit for Run 2 and Run 3, respectively. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed data to the total post- and pre-fit SM prediction. The last bin includes the overflow. Uncertainties in the background estimates include both the statistical and systematic uncertainties, with correlations between uncertainties taken into account. The dashed lines show the predicted yields for two benchmark signal models corresponding to S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (2.0 TeV, 1.0) and S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (3.0 TeV, 1.0), respectively. Note: the values in the table are normalized by the width of corresponding bin
Data (dots) and post-fit SM distribution (histograms) of m<sub>ℓj</sub> in (a, b) SR-1L-ej and (c, d) SR-2L-ej of the e+light-jet channel obtained by a CR+SR background-only fit for Run 2 and Run 3, respectively. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed data to the total post- and pre-fit SM prediction. The last bin includes the overflow. Uncertainties in the background estimates include both the statistical and systematic uncertainties, with correlations between uncertainties taken into account. The dashed lines show the predicted yields for two benchmark signal models corresponding to S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (2.0 TeV, 1.0) and S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (3.0 TeV, 1.0), respectively. Note: the values in the table are normalized by the width of corresponding bin
Data (dots) and post-fit SM distribution (histograms) of m<sub>ℓj</sub> in (a, b) SR-1L-ej and (c, d) SR-2L-ej of the e+light-jet channel obtained by a CR+SR background-only fit for Run 2 and Run 3, respectively. The lower panel shows the ratio of observed data to the total post- and pre-fit SM prediction. The last bin includes the overflow. Uncertainties in the background estimates include both the statistical and systematic uncertainties, with correlations between uncertainties taken into account. The dashed lines show the predicted yields for two benchmark signal models corresponding to S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (2.0 TeV, 1.0) and S̃<sub>1</sub> (m, y<sub>de</sub>) = (3.0 TeV, 1.0), respectively. Note: the values in the table are normalized by the width of corresponding bin
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured low-mass vector-meson ($ω+ρ$ and $ϕ$) production through the dimuon decay channel at forward rapidity $(1.2<|\mbox{y}|<2.2)$ in $p$$+$$p$ and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV. The low-mass vector-meson yield and nuclear-modification factor were measured as a function of the average number of participating nucleons, $\langle N_{\rm part}\rangle$, and the transverse momentum $p_T$. These results were compared with those obtained via the kaon decay channel in a similar $p_T$ range at midrapidity. The nuclear-modification factors in both rapidity regions are consistent within the uncertainties. A comparison of the $ω+ρ$ and $J/ψ$ mesons reveals that the light and heavy flavors are consistently suppressed across both $p_T$ and ${\langle}N_{\rm part}\rangle$. In contrast, the $ϕ$ meson displays a nuclear-modification factor consistent with unity, suggesting strangeness enhancement in the medium formed.
The differential cross sections of $\omega+\rho$ mesons as a function of $p_T$ in $p+p$ collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
The differential cross sections of $\phi$ meson as a function of $p_T$ in $p+p$ collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
The invariant yields of $\phi$ and $\omega+\rho$ mesons as a function of $p_T$ in Au+Au collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
We present the first measurements of the forward and midrapidity $η$-meson cross sections from $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=500$ and $510$~GeV, respectively. We also report the midrapidity $η/π^0$ ratio at 510 GeV. The forward cross section is measured differentially in $η$-meson transverse momentum ($p_T$) from 1.0 to 6.5~GeV/$c$ for pseudorapidity $3.0<|η|<3.8$. The midrapidity cross section is measured from 3.5 to 44 GeV/$c$ for pseudorapidity $|η|<0.35$. Both cross sections serve as critical inputs to an updated global analysis of the $η$-meson fragmentation functions.
The invariant differential cross section of $\eta$ mesons at forward rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 500 GeV.
The invariant differential cross section of $\eta$ mesons at central rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 510 GeV.
The ratio of $\eta$ to $\pi^0$ cross sections at central rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 510 GeV.
Results from the study of the rare decays $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$, $K^{+}\rightarrowπ^{+}μ^{+}μ^{-}$ and $K^{+}\rightarrowπ^{+}γγ$ at the NA62 experiment at CERN are interpreted in terms of improved limits for $\rm{B}(K^+\toπ^+X)$ and coupling parameters of hidden-sector models, where $X$ is a mediator. World-leading limits are achieved for dark photon, dark scalar and axion-like particle models.
Number of expected and observed events as a function of squared missing mass.
Number of expected and observed events as a function of squared missing mass.
Single Event Sensitivity (SES) for the $K^{+}\rightarrow\pi^{+}X$ search as a function of X mass.