The first measurement of pseudorapidity and azimuthal angle distributions relative to the momentum vector of a Z boson for low transverse momentum ($p_\mathrm{T}$) charged hadrons in lead-lead (PbPb) collisions is presented. By studying the hadrons produced in an event with a high-$p_\mathrm{T}$ Z boson (40 $\lt$$p_\mathrm{T}$$\lt$ 350 GeV), the analysis probes how the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) medium created in these collisions affects the parton recoiling opposite to the Z boson. Utilizing PbPb data at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{_\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV from 2018 with an integrated luminosity of 1.67 nb$^{-1}$ and proton-proton (pp) data at the same energy from 2017 with 301 pb$^{-1}$, the distributions are examined in bins of charged-hadron $p_\mathrm{T}$. A significant modification of the distributions for charged hadrons in the range 1$\lt$$p_\mathrm{T}$$\lt$ 2 GeV in PbPb collisions is observed when compared to reference measurements from pp collisions. The data provide new information about the correlation between hard and soft particles in heavy ion collisions, which can be used to test predictions of various jet quenching models. The results are consistent with expectations of a hydrodynamic wake created when the QGP is depleted of energy by the parton propagating through it. Based on comparisons of PbPb data with pp references and predictions from theoretical models, this Letter presents the first evidence of medium-recoil and medium-hole effects caused by a hard probe.
The $\Delta\phi_{ch,Z}$ spectra for events with Z boson $p_{T}^Z > 40$ GeV and charged-hadrons with $1 <p_T < 2$ GeV in pp collisions.
The $\Delta\phi_{ch,Z}$ spectra for events with Z boson $p_{T}^Z > 40$ GeV and charged-hadrons with $2 <p_T < 4$ GeV in pp collisions.
The $\Delta\phi_{ch,Z}$ spectra for events with Z boson $p_{T}^Z > 40$ GeV and charged-hadrons with $4 <p_T < 10$ GeV in pp collisions.
The results of a search for the production of two scalar bosons in final states with two photons and two tau leptons are presented. The search considers both nonresonant production of a Higgs boson pair, HH, and resonant production via a new boson X which decays either to HH or to H and a new scalar Y. The analysis uses up to 138 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data, recorded between 2016 and 2018 by the CMS experiment at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No evidence for signal is found in the data. For the nonresonant production, the observed (expected) upper limit at 95% confidence level (CL) on the HH production cross section is set at 930 (740) fb, corresponding to 33 (26) times the standard model prediction. At 95% CL, HH production is observed (expected) to be excluded for values of $κ_λ$ outside the range between $-$12 ($-$9.4) and 17 (15). Observed (expected) upper limits at 95% CL for the XHH cross section are found to be within 160 to 2200 (200 to 1800) fb, depending on the mass of X. In the X $\to$ Y($γγ$)H($ττ$) search, the observed (expected) upper limits on the product of the production cross section and decay branching fractions vary between 0.059$-$1.2 fb (0.087$-$0.68 fb). For the X $\to$ Y($γγ$)H($ττ$) search the observed (expected) upper limits on the product of the production cross section and Y $to$ $γγ$ branching fraction vary between 0.69$-$15 fb (0.73$-$8.3 fb) in the low Y mass search, tightening constraints on the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model, and between 0.64$-$10 fb (0.70$-$7.6 fb) in the high Y mass search.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the nonresonant $\mathrm{HH}$ production cross section, $\sigma(\mathrm{pp} \to \mathrm{HH})$, as a function of the Higgs boson self-coupling strength modifier $\kappa_\lambda$. All Higgs boson couplings other than $\lambda$ are assumed to have the values predicted in the SM.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the nonresonant $\mathrm{HH}$ production cross section, $\sigma(\mathrm{pp} \to \mathrm{HH})$, for thirteen different BSM benchmark scenarios from [arXiv:1507.02245, arXiv:1806.05162] which consider different values of the couplings, $\kappa_\lambda$, $\kappa_t$, $c_{2g}$, $c_g$, and $c_2$ (defined in Table 1).
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the cross section for the resonant production of a new spin-0 particle $\mathrm{X}^{(0)}$ which decays to Higgs boson pairs, $\sigma(\mathrm{pp} \to \mathrm{X}^{(0)} \to \mathrm{HH})$, given for different values of $m_\mathrm{X}$ in the range 260-1000 GeV.
A search for nonresonant new physics phenomena in high-mass dilepton events produced in association with b-tagged jets is performed using proton-proton collision data collected in 2016$-$2018 by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis considers two effective field theory models with dimension-six operators; involving four-fermion contact interactions between two leptons ($\ell\ell$, electrons or muons) and b or s quarks (bb$\ell\ell$ and bs$\ell\ell$). Two lepton flavor combinations (ee and $μμ$) are required and events are classified as having 0, 1, and $\geq$2 b-tagged jets in the final state. No significant excess is observed over the standard model backgrounds. Upper limits are set on the production cross section of the new physics signals. These translate into lower limits on the energy scale $Λ$ of 6.9 to 9.0 TeV in the bb$\ell\ell$ model, depending on model parameters, and on the ratio of energy scale and effective coupling, $Λ/g_*$, of 2.0 to 2.6 TeV in the bs$\ell\ell$ model. The latter represent the most stringent limits on this model to date. Lepton flavor universality is also tested by comparing the dielectron and dimuon mass spectra for different b-tagged jet multiplicities. No significant deviation from the standard model expectation of unity is observed.
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel for different bbll signal scenarios
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel for different bbll (destructive interference) signal scenarios
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel in 1b final state for different bbll signal scenarios
The traditional quark model accounts for the existence of baryons, such as protons and neutrons, which consist of three quarks, as well as mesons, composed of a quark-antiquark pair. Only recently has substantial evidence started to accumulate for exotic states composed of four or five quarks and antiquarks. The exact nature of their internal structure remains uncertain. This paper reports the first measurement of quantum numbers of the recently discovered family of three all-charm tetraquarks, using data collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider from 2016 to 2018. The angular analysis techniques developed for the discovery and characterization of the Higgs boson have been applied to the new exotic states. The quantum numbers for parity $P$ and charge conjugation $C$ symmetries are found to be +1. The spin $J$ of these exotic states is consistent with 2$\hbar$, while 0$\hbar$ and 1$\hbar$ are excluded at 95% and 99% confidence level, respectively. The $J^{PC}=2^{++}$ assignment implies particular configurations of constituent spins and orbital angular momenta, which constrain the possible internal structure of these tetraquarks.
Summary of statistical tests.
Results from hypothesis test for pairs of spin-parity models.
The $\mathrm{J}/\psi\mathrm{J}/\psi$ invariant mass distribution in data.
A search for the rare decay D$^0$$\to$$\mu^+\mu^-$ is reported using proton-proton collision events at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13.6 TeV collected by the CMS detector in 2022$-$2023, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 64.5 fb$^{-1}$. This is the first analysis to use a newly developed inclusive dimuon trigger, expanding the scope of the CMS flavor physics program. The search uses D$^0$ mesons obtained from D$^{*+}$$\to$ D$^0\pi^+$ decays. No significant excess is observed. A limit on the branching fraction of $\mathcal{B}$(D$^0$$\to$$\mu^+\mu^-$) $\lt$ 2.4 $\times$ 10$^{-9}$ at 95% confidence level is set. This is the most stringent upper limit set on any flavor changing neutral current decay in the charm sector.
Summary of branching fraction.
Summary of systematic uncertainties for the D->mumu branching fraction measurement with their corresponding contributions in the signal channel.
The distributions of the dipion invariant mass $m_{\pi\pi}$ for the normalization channel in data.
A search for the violation of the charge-parity ($CP$) symmetry in the production of top quarks in association with Z bosons is presented, using events with at least three charged leptons and additional jets. The search is performed in a sample of proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC in 2016-2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and in 2022 at 13.6 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 173 fb$^{-1}$. For the first time in this final state, observables that are odd under the $CP$ transformation are employed. Also for the first time, physics-informed machine-learning techniques are used to construct these observables. While for standard model (SM) processes the distributions of these observables are predicted to be symmetric around zero, $CP$-violating modifications of the SM would introduce asymmetries. Two $CP$-odd operators $\mathcal{O}_\text{tW}^\text{I}$ and $\mathcal{O}_\text{tZ}^\text{I}$ in the SM effective field theory are considered that may modify the interactions between top quarks and electroweak bosons. The obtained results are consistent with the SM prediction within two standard deviations, and exclusion limits on the associated Wilson coefficients of $-$2.7 $\lt$$c_\text{tW}^\text{I}$$\lt$ 2.5 and $-$0.2 $\lt$$c_\text{tZ}^\text{I}$$\lt$ 2.0 are set at 95% confidence level. The largest discrepancy is observed in $c_\text{tZ}^\text{I}$ where data is consistent with positive values, with an observed local significance with respect to the SM hypothesis of 2.5 standard deviations, when only linear terms are considered.
Distribution of the discretized $c_{\mathrm{tW}}^{\mathrm{I}}$ score for events in the $c_{\mathrm{tW}}^{\mathrm{I}}$-like category in tZq events. The contributions from the SM, linear, and quadratic terms when $c_{\mathrm{tW}}^{\mathrm{I}}$ is set to unity are plotted separately.
Distribution of the discretized $c_{\mathrm{tZ}}^{\mathrm{I}}$ score for events in the $c_{\mathrm{tZ}}^{\mathrm{I}}$-like category in $t\bar{t}Z$ events. The contributions from the SM, linear, and quadratic terms when $c_{\mathrm{tZ}}^{\mathrm{I}}$ is set to unity are plotted separately.
Distribution of the discretized $c_{\mathrm{tW}}^{\mathrm{I}}$ score for events in the $c_{\mathrm{tW}}^{\mathrm{I}}$-like category, compared with the predictions obtained when all fit parameters are set to their maximum likelihood value in the linear fit.
A measurement is presented of the cross section in proton-proton collisions for the production of two W bosons and one Z boson. It is based on data recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC at center-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 and 13.6 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 200 fb$^{-1}$. Events with four charged leptons (electrons or muons) in the final state are selected. Both nonresonant WWZ production and ZH production, with the Higgs boson decaying into two W bosons, are reported. For the first time, the two processes are measured separately in a simultaneous fit. Combining the two modes, signal strengths relative to the standard model (SM) predictions of 0.75$^{+0.34}_{-0.29}$ and 1.74$^{+0.71}_{-0.60}$ are measured for $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 and 13.6 TeV, respectively. The observed (expected) significance for the triboson signal is 3.8 (2.5) standard deviations for $\sqrt{s}$ = 13.6 TeV, thus providing the first evidence for triboson production at this center-of-mass energy. Combining the two modes and the two center-of-mass energies, the inclusive signal strength relative to the SM prediction is measured to be 1.03$^{+0.31}_{-0.28}$, with an observed (expected) significance of 4.5 (5.0) standard deviations.
Two-dimensional likelihood scan as a function of the individual WWZ and ZH signal strength parameters for the combined Run 2 and Run 3 datasets
One-dimensional likelihood scan as a function of the inclusive (WWZ + ZH) signal strength parameter for the combined Run 2 and Run 3 datasets
Comparison of the observed number of events to the SM-predicted number of events for each of the bins included in the fit for Run 2 (upper row) and Run 3 (lower row). The SM expectations are shown before performing the fit. The horizontal axis legend also indicates "WWZ-like" and "ZH-like" bins defined based on whether the WWZ BDT score is higher or lower than the ZH score.
A measurement of event-shape variables is presented, using a data sample produced in a special run with approximately one inelastic proton-proton collision per bunch crossing. The data were collected with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 64 $\mu$b$^{-1}$. A number of observables related to the overall distribution of charged particles in the collisions are corrected for detector effects and compared with simulations. Inclusive event-shape distributions, as well as differential distributions of event shapes as functions of charged-particle multiplicity, are studied. None of the models investigated is able to satisfactorily describe the data. Moreover, there are significant features common amongst all generator setups studied, particularly showing data being more isotropic than any of the simulations. Multidimensional unfolded distributions are provided, along with their correlations.
The unfolded charged particle multiplicity distribution of inelastic proton-proton collisions with at least three charged particles with transverse momentum higher than 0.5 GeV and pseudorapidity between -2.4 and 2.4. The total area of the histogram is normalised to 1.
The unfolded charged particle invariant mass distribution of inelastic proton-proton collisions with at least three charged particles with transverse momentum higher than 0.5 GeV and pseudorapidity between -2.4 and 2.4. The total area of the histogram is normalised to 1.
The unfolded charged particle sphericity distribution of inelastic proton-proton collisions with at least three charged particles with transverse momentum higher than 0.5 GeV and pseudorapidity between -2.4 and 2.4. The total area of the histogram is normalised to 1.
A search is performed for dark matter (DM) produced in association with a single top quark or a pair of top quarks using the data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to 138 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity. An excess of events with a large imbalance of transverse momentum is searched for across 0, 1 and 2 lepton final states. Novel multivariate techniques are used to take advantage of the differences in kinematic properties between the two DM production mechanisms. No significant deviations with respect to the standard model predictions are observed. The results are interpreted considering a simplified model in which the mediator is either a scalar or pseudoscalar particle and couples to top quarks and to DM fermions. Axion-like particles that are coupled to top quarks and DM fermions are also considered. Expected exclusion limits of 410 and 380 GeV for scalar and pseudoscalar mediator masses, respectively, are set at the 95% confidence level. A DM particle mass of 1 GeV is assumed, with mediator couplings to fermions and DM particles set to unity. A small signal-like excess is observed in data, with the largest local significance observed to be 1.9 standard deviations for the 150 GeV pseudoscalar mediator hypothesis. Because of this excess, mediator masses are only excluded below 310 (320) GeV for the scalar (pseudoscalar) mediator. The results are also translated into model-independent 95% confidence level upper limits on the visible cross section of DM production in association with top quarks, ranging from 1 pb to 0.02 pb.
The post-fit $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\text{miss}}$ distribution of the 1 b jet, 0 forward jet signal region in the all hadronic channel. A representative signal model distribution is shown for the scalar mediator interaction with $(m_{\chi},m_{\phi})=(1,100)$GeV and couplings set to unity. The grey dashed area in the upper panel represents the total uncertainty in all of the backgrounds and the chosen signal model, while in the lower panel it represents only the total uncertainty in the backgrounds.
The post-fit $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\text{miss}}$ distribution of the 1 b jet, $\geq 1$ forward jet signal region in the all hadronic channel. A representative signal model distribution is shown for the scalar mediator interaction with $(m_{\chi},m_{\phi})=(1,100)$GeV and couplings set to unity. The grey dashed area in the upper panel represents the total uncertainty in all of the backgrounds and the chosen signal model, while in the lower panel it represents only the total uncertainty in the backgrounds.
The post-fit $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\text{miss}}$ distribution of the $\geq 2$ b jet signal region in the all hadronic channel. A representative signal model distribution is shown for the scalar mediator interaction with $(m_{\chi},m_{\phi})=(1,100)$GeV and couplings set to unity. The grey dashed area in the upper panel represents the total uncertainty in all of the backgrounds and the chosen signal model, while in the lower panel it represents only the total uncertainty in the backgrounds.
Inclusive and differential cross sections for Higgs boson production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13.6 TeV are measured using data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2022, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34.7 fb$^{-1}$. Events with the diphoton final state are selected, and the measured inclusive fiducial cross section is $\sigma_\text{fid}$ = 74 $\pm$ 11 (stat) $^{+5}_{-4}$ (syst) fb, in agreement with the standard model prediction of 67.8 $\pm$ 3.8 fb. Differential cross sections are measured as functions of several observables: the Higgs boson transverse momentum and rapidity, the number of associated jets, and the transverse momentum of the leading jet in the event. Within the uncertainties, the differential cross sections agree with the standard model predictions.
Differential fiducial cross sections for pT of the Higgs boson
Example description
Differential fiducial cross sections for rapidity of the Higgs boson
Precision measurements of Higgs boson differential production cross sections are a key tool to probe the properties of the Higgs boson and test the standard model. New physics can affect both Higgs boson production and decay, leading to deviations from the distributions that are expected in the standard model. In this paper, combined measurements of differential spectra in a fiducial region matching the experimental selections are performed, based on analyses of four Higgs boson decay channels ($\gamma\gamma$, ZZ$^{(*)}$, WW$^{(*)}$, and $\tau\tau$) using proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The differential measurements are extrapolated to the full phase space and combined to provide the differential spectra. A measurement of the total Higgs boson production cross section is also performed using the $\gamma\gamma$ and ZZ decay channels, with a result of 53.4$^{+2.9}_{-2.9}$ (stat)$^{+1.9}_{-1.8}$ (syst) pb, consistent with the standard model prediction of 55.6 $\pm$ 2.5 pb. The fiducial measurements are used to compute limits on Higgs boson couplings using the $\kappa$-framework and the SM effective field theory.
Observed best fit differential cross section for the $p_{T}^{H}$ observable
Observed best fit differential cross section for the $N_{jets}$ observable
Observed best fit differential cross section for the $p_{T}^{j1}$ (GeV) observable
A search for charged-lepton flavour violation (CLFV) in top quark (t) production and decay is presented. The search uses proton-proton collision data corresponding to 138 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the CMS experiment at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The signal consists of the production of a single top quark via a CLFV interaction or top quark pair production followed by a CLFV decay. The analysis selects events containing a pair of oppositely charged muon and hadronically decaying $\tau$ lepton and at least three jets, where one has been identified to originate from the fragmentation of a bottom quark. Machine learning classification techniques are used to distinguish signal from standard model background events. The results of this search are consistent with the standard model expectations. The upper limits at 95% confidence level on the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$ for CLFV top quark decays to a muon, a $\tau$ lepton, and an up or a charm quark are set at $\mathcal{B}$(t $\to \mu\tau$u) $\lt$ (0.040, 0.078, and 0.118) $\times$ 10$^{-6}$, and $\mathcal{B}$(t $\to\mu\tau$c) $\lt$ (0.810, 1.710, and 2.052) $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ for scalar, vector, and tensor-like operators, respectively.
The expected and observed upper limits on CLFV Wilson coefficients. The Limits on the Wilson coefficients are extracted from the upper limits on the cross sections.
The expected and observed upper limits on top quark CLFV branching fractions. The Limits on the top quark CLFV branching fractions are extracted from the upper limits on the Wilson coefficients.
The first measurement of the dijet transverse momentum balance $x_j$ in proton-lead (pPb) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV is presented. The $x_j$ observable, defined as the ratio of the subleading over leading jet transverse momentum in a dijet pair, is used to search for jet quenching effects. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 174.6 nb$^{-1}$, were collected with the CMS detector in 2016. The $x_j$ distributions and their average values are studied as functions of the charged-particle multiplicity of the events and for various dijet rapidity selections. The latter enables probing hard scattering of partons carrying distinct nucleon momentum fractions \x in the proton- and lead-going directions. The former, aided by the high-multiplicity triggers, allows probing for potential jet quenching effects in high-multiplicity events (with up to 400 charged particles), for which collective phenomena consistent with quark-gluon plasma (QGP) droplet formation were previously observed. The ratios of $x_j$ distributions for high- to low-multiplicity events are used to quantify the possible medium effects. These ratios are consistent with simulations of the hard-scattering process that do not include QGP production. These measurements set an upper limit on medium-induced energy loss of the subleading jet of 1.26% of its transverse momentum at the 90% confidence level in high multiplicity pPb events.
The unfolded dijet balance distribution, $(1/N_{dijet})(dN_{dijet}/dx_{j})$, as function of $x_{j}$ for the $10-60$, $60-120$, $120-185$, $185-250$ and $250-400$ multiplicity ranges with both jets at the midrapidity regions.
The unfolded dijet balance distribution, $(1/N_{dijet})(dN_{dijet}/dx_{j})$, as function of $x_{j}$ for the $10-60$, $60-120$, $120-185$, $185-250$ and $250-400$ multiplicity ranges with leading and subleading jets at midrapidity and forward regions, respectively.
The unfolded dijet balance distribution, $(1/N_{dijet})(dN_{dijet}/dx_{j})$, as function of $x_{j}$ for the $10-60$, $60-120$, $120-185$, $185-250$ and $250-400$ multiplicity ranges with leading and subleading jets at midrapidity and backward regions, respectively.
The first observation of coherent $\phi$(1020) meson photoproduction off heavy nuclei is presented using ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.36 TeV. The data were collected by the CMS experiment and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.68 $\mu$b$^{-1}$. The $\phi$(1020) meson signals are reconstructed via the K$^+$K$^-$ decay channel. The production cross section is presented as a function of the $\phi$(1020) meson rapidity in the range 0.3 $\lt$$\lvert y\rvert$$\lt$ 1.0, probing gluons that carry a fraction of the nucleon momentum ($x$) around $10^{-4}$. The observed cross section exhibits little dependence on rapidity and is significantly suppressed, by a factor of ${\sim}$5, compared to a baseline model that treats a nucleus as a collection of free nucleons. Theoretical models that incorporate either nuclear shadowing or gluon saturation predict suppression of the $\phi$(1020) meson cross section with only a small dependence on rapidity, but the magnitude of the predicted suppression varies greatly. Models considering only nuclear shadowing effects result in the best agreement with the experimental data. This study establishes a powerful new tool for exploring nuclear effects and nuclear gluonic structure in the small-$x$ regime at a unique energy scale bridging the perturbative and nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics domains.
The differential coherent $\phi$ photoproduction cross section and the nuclear suppression factor as a function of rapidity.
This paper presents a study of the inclusive forward J/$\psi$ yield as a function of forward charged-particle multiplicity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV using data collected by the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC. The results are presented in terms of relative J/$\psi$ yields and relative charged-particle multiplicities with respect to these quantities obtained in inelastic collisions having at least one charged particle in the pseudorapidity range $|\eta| < 1$. The J/$\psi$ mesons are reconstructed via their decay into $\mu^+ \mu^-$ pairs in the forward rapidity region ($2.5 < y < 4$). The relative multiplicity is estimated in the forward pseudorapidity range $-3.7 < \eta < -1.7$, which overlaps with the J/$\psi$ rapidity region. The results show a steeper-than-linear increase of the J/$\psi$ yields versus the multiplicity. They are compared with previous measurements and theoretical model calculations.
Forward inclusive J/$\psi$ relative yield as a function of the relative multiplicity in −3.7 < $\eta$ < −1.7 in INEL > 0 pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV.
A search for resonances in top quark pair ($\text{t}\bar{\text{t}}$) production in final states with two charged leptons and multiple jets is presented, based on proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, corresponding to 138 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis explores the invariant mass of the \ttbar system and two angular observables that provide direct access to the correlation of top quark and antiquark spins. A significant excess of events is observed near the kinematic $\text{t}\bar{\text{t}}$ threshold compared to the nonresonant production predicted by fixed-order perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD). The observed enhancement is consistent with the production of a color-singlet pseudoscalar ($^1$S$^{[1]}_0$) quasi-bound toponium state, as predicted by nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics. Using a simplified model for $^1$S$^{[1]}_0$ toponium, the cross section of the excess above the pQCD prediction is measured to be 8.8$^{+1.2}_{-1.4}$ pb.
Observed cross section of $\eta_t$
Observed values of twice the negative log-likelihood with respect to the best-fit point (2dNLL) as a function of the cross sections of $\eta_t$ and $\chi_t$.
A measurement of the WZ$\gamma$ triboson production cross section is presented. The analysis is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis focuses on the final state with three charged leptons, $\ell^\pm\nu\ell^+\ell^-$, where $\ell$ = e or $\mu$, accompanied by an additional photon. The observed (expected) significance of the WZ$\gamma$ signal is 5.4 (3.8) standard deviations. The cross section is measured in a fiducial region to be 5.48 $\pm$ 1.11 fb, which is compatible with the prediction of 3.69 $\pm$ 0.24 fb at next-to-leading order in quantum chromodynamics. Exclusion limits are set on anomalous quartic gauge couplings and on the production cross sections of massive axion-like particles.
The distributions of the variables used in the simultaneous fit for the nonprompt $l$ CR. The black points with error bars represent the data and their statistical uncertainties, whereas the shaded band represents the predicted uncertainties. The bottom panel in each figure shows the ratio of the number of events observed in data to that of the total SM prediction. The last bin of each plot has been extended to include the overflow contribution.
The distributions of the variables used in the simultaneous fit for the nonprompt $\gamma$ CR. The black points with error bars represent the data and their statistical uncertainties, whereas the shaded band represents the predicted uncertainties. The bottom panel in each figure shows the ratio of the number of events observed in data to that of the total SM prediction. The last bin of each plot has been extended to include the overflow contribution.
The distributions of the variables used in the simultaneous fit for the ZZ CR. The black points with error bars represent the data and their statistical uncertainties, whereas the shaded band represents the predicted uncertainties. The bottom panel in each figure shows the ratio of the number of events observed in data to that of the total SM prediction. The last bin of each plot has been extended to include the overflow contribution.
A search for $t$-channel exchange of leptoquarks (LQs) is performed in dimuon and dielectron spectra using proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Eight scenarios are considered, in which scalar or vector LQs couple up or down quarks to muons or electrons, for dilepton invariant masses above 500 GeV. The LQ masses are probed up to 5 TeV, beyond a regime probed by previous pair-production and single-production searches. The differential distributions of dilepton events are fit to templates that model the nonresonant LQ exchange and various standard model background processes. Limits are set on LQ-fermion coupling strengths for scalar and vector LQ masses in the 1-5 TeV range at 95% confidence level, establishing stringent limits on first- and second-generation LQs.
Observed and Expected UL exclusions on the $BR(H\to SUEP)$ of hadronic signals with $m_{A'} = 0.7\;GeV$ and $BR(A' \rightarrow ee) = BR(A' \rightarrow \mu\mu) = 0.15$ and $BR(A' \rightarrow \pi\pi) = 0.7$.
The observed data in the dielectron channel and the fitted signal-plus-background templates, shown for the $S_{e u}$ scenario with a candidate LQ mass of 2.5 TeV. Distributions of events are binned in the reconstructed dilepton mass, rapidity, and cosine theta.
Observed and Expected UL exclusions on the $BR(H\to S)$ of leptonic signals with $m_{A'} = 0.5\;GeV$ and $BR(A' \rightarrow ee) = BR(A' \rightarrow \mu\mu) = 0.2$ and $BR(A' \rightarrow \pi\pi) = 0.6$.
The production cross-section of high-mass $\tau$-lepton pairs is measured as a function of the dilepton visible invariant mass, using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV proton-proton collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement agrees with the predictions of the Standard Model. A fit to the invariant mass distribution is performed as a function of $b$-jet multiplicity, to constrain the non-resonant production of new particles described by an effective field theory or in models containing leptoquarks or $Z'$ bosons that couple preferentially to third-generation fermions. The constraints on new particles improve on previous results, and the constraints on effective operators include those affecting the anomalous magnetic moment of the $\tau$-lepton.
The measured unfolded differential cross sections.
The combined covariance matrix for the differential cross-section distribution.
Statistical covariance matrix for the differential cross-section distribution.
Energy-energy correlators are constructed by averaging the number of charged particle pairs within jets, weighted by the product of their transverse momenta, as a function of the angular separation of the particles within a pair. They are sensitive to a multitude of perturbative and nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics phenomena in high-energy particle collisions. Using lead-lead data recorded with the CMS detector, energy-energy correlators inside high transverse momentum jets are measured in heavy ion collisions for the first time. The data are obtained at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.70 nb$^{-1}$. A similar analysis is done for proton-proton collisions at the same center-of-mass energy to establish a reference. The ratio of lead-lead to proton-proton energy-energy correlators reveals significant jet substructure modifications in the quark-gluon plasma. The results are compared to different models that incorporate either color coherence or medium response effects, where the two effects predict similar substructure modifications.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $120 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 140$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $120 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 140$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $140 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 160$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
A first search is presented for vector-like leptons (VLLs) decaying into a light long-lived pseudoscalar boson and a standard model $\tau$ lepton. The pseudoscalar boson is assumed to have a mass of 2 GeV and to decay exclusively into a pair of photons. It is identified using the CMS muon system. The analysis is carried out using a data set of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Selected events contain at least one pseudoscalar boson decaying electromagnetically in the muon system and at least one hadronically decaying $\tau$ lepton. No significant excess of data events is observed compared to the background expectation. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the vector-like lepton production cross section as a function of the VLL mass and the pseudoscalar boson mean proper decay length. The observed and expected exclusion ranges of the VLL mass extend up to 700 and 670 GeV, respectively, depending on the pseudoscalar boson lifetime.
The cluster reconstruction efficiency, including both DT and CSC clusters, as a function of the simulated r and |z| decay positions of the pseudoscalar into photons in events with MET > 200 GeV, for a VLL mass of 700 GeV and a pseudoscalar mass of 2 GeV, and a range of ctau values uniformly distributed between 0.01 and 0.1 m.
Distributions of the number of hits in the cluster (Nhits) for the DT category in the signal region (SR). The last histogram bin contains all overflow events.
Distributions of the number of hits in the cluster (Nhits) for the CSC category in the signal region (SR). The last histogram bin contains all overflow events.
A search for cascade decays of charged sleptons and sneutrinos using final states characterized by three leptons (electrons or muons) and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on a dataset with 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$=13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This paper focuses on a supersymmetric scenario that is motivated by the muon anomalous magnetic moment observation, dark mattter relic density abundance, and electroweak naturalness. A mass spectrum involving light higgsinos and heavier sleptons with a bino at intermediate mass is targeted. No significant deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed. This search enables to place stringent constraints on this model, excluding at the 95% confidence level charged slepton and sneutrino masses up to 450 GeV when assuming a lightest neutralino mass of 100 GeV and mass-degenerate selectrons, smuons and sneutrinos.
Distribution of $m_{3\ell}$ in SROS-on-$eee$. The SR selections are applied for each distribution, except for the variable shown, for which the selection is indicated by a black arrow. The last bin includes the overflow. The `Others' category contains the production of Higgs boson, 3-top, 4-top, and single-top processes. Distributions for SBH signals are overlaid. The bottom panels show the ratio of the observed data to the predicted total background yields. The hatched band includes all statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Distribution of $m_{3\ell}$ in SROS-on-$e\mu\mu$. The SR selections are applied for each distribution, except for the variable shown, for which the selection is indicated by a black arrow. The last bin includes the overflow. The `Others' category contains the production of Higgs boson, 3-top, 4-top, and single-top processes. Distributions for SBH signals are overlaid. The bottom panels show the ratio of the observed data to the predicted total background yields. The hatched band includes all statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Distribution of $E_{\text{T}}^{\text{miss}}$ in SROS-on-b-$eee$. The SR selections are applied for each distribution, except for the variable shown, for which the selection is indicated by a black arrow. The last bin includes the overflow. The `Others' category contains the production of Higgs boson, 3-top, 4-top, and single-top processes. Distributions for SBH signals are overlaid. The bottom panels show the ratio of the observed data to the predicted total background yields. The hatched band includes all statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Measurements are presented of the W and Z boson production cross sections in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13.6 TeV. Data collected in 2022 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.01 fb$^{-1}$ with one or two identified muons in the final state are analyzed. The results for the products of total inclusive cross sections and branching fractions for muonic decays of W and Z bosons are 11.93 $\pm$ 0.08 (syst) $\pm$ 0.17 (lumi) $^{+0.07}_{-0.07}$ (acc) nb for W$^+$ boson production, 8.86 $\pm$ 0.06 (syst) $\pm$ 0.12 (lumi) $^{+0.05}_{-0.06}$ (acc) nb for W$^-$ boson production, and 2.021 $\pm$ 0.009 (syst) $\pm$ 0.028 (lumi) $^{+0.011}_{-0.013}$ (acc) nb for the Z boson production in the dimuon mass range of 60-120 GeV, all with negligible statistical uncertainties. Furthermore, the corresponding fiducial cross sections, as well as cross section ratios for both fiducial and total phase space, are provided. The ratios include charge-separated results for W boson production (W$^+$ and W$^-$) and the sum of the two contributions (W$^\pm$), each relative to the measured Z boson production cross section. Additionally, the ratio of the measured cross sections for W$^+$ and W$^-$ boson production is reported. All measurements are in agreement with theoretical predictions, calculated at next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy in quantum chromodynamics.
Corrected normalized distribution of the transverse momentum of the leading muon in the Z boson signal region. Simulated contributions from Z boson, electroweak, and ttbar production, as well as their sum, and the data are shown.
Corrected normalized distribution of the transverse momentum of the trailing muon in the Z boson signal region. Simulated contributions from Z boson, electroweak, and ttbar production, as well as their sum, and the data are shown.
Corrected normalized distribution of the missing transverse momentum in the Z boson signal region. Simulated contributions from Z boson, electroweak, and ttbar production, as well as their sum, and the data are shown.
Incoherent J/$\psi$ photoproduction in heavy ion ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs), in which the photon interacts with localized, fluctuating gluonic hotspots rather than the entire nucleus, provides a unique probe of those fluctuations. This study presents the first measurement of the dependence of this photoproduction yield on the photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy ($W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$), using PbPb UPCs at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The data corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.52 nb$^{-1}$, recorded by the CMS experiment. The measurement covers a wide $W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$ range of $\approx$40-400 GeV, probing gluons carrying a fraction of nucleon momentum $x$ in the range between 5.9 $\times$ 10$^{-3}$ and 6.5 $\times$ 10$^{-5}$. The measured incoherent J/$\psi$ photoproduction cross section is suppressed relative to theoretical predictions without nuclear effects. However, the ratio of incoherent to coherent photoproduction remains constant across the probed $W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$ and $x$ range. Together, these results pose significant challenges to current theoretical models which include gluon saturation or nuclear shadowing effects.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $|y|$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $y$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of photon-nuclear center-of-mass energy per nucleon $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ or Bjorken $x$, measured in PbPb ultra-peripheral collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. The $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ values used correspond to the center of each rapidity range. The theoretical uncertainties is due to the uncertainties in the photon flux.
This paper presents the measurement of charged-hadron and identified-hadron ($K^\mathrm{0}_\mathrm{S}$, $Λ$, $Ξ^\mathrm{-}$) yields in photo-nuclear collisions using 1.7 $\mathrm{nb^{-1}}$ of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV Pb+Pb data collected in 2018 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Candidate photo-nuclear events are selected using a combination of tracking and calorimeter information, including the zero-degree calorimeter. The yields as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity are measured in these photo-nuclear collisions as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. These photo-nuclear results are compared with 0.1 $\mathrm{nb^{-1}}$ of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV $p$+Pb data collected in 2016 by ATLAS using similar charged-particle multiplicity selections. These photo-nuclear measurements shed light on potential quark-gluon plasma formation in photo-nuclear collisions via observables sensitive to radial flow, enhanced baryon-to-meson ratios, and strangeness enhancement. The results are also compared with the Monte Carlo DPMJET-III generator and hydrodynamic calculations to test whether such photo-nuclear collisions may produce small droplets of quark-gluon plasma that flow collectively.
The multiplicity distribution (#it{N}_{ch}^{rec}) from Pb+Pb photo-nuclear collisions.
The multiplicity distribution (#it{N}_{ch}^{rec}) from p+Pb collisions.
The Charged-hadron yields as a function of pT in different y selections in Pb+Pb photo-nuclear collisions.