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.
A search for heavy neutral lepton ($N$) production in $π^+\to e^+ N$ in-flight decays using data collected by the NA62 experiment at CERN in 2017-2024 is reported. Upper limits for the extended neutrino mixing matrix element $|U_{e4}|^2$ are established at the level of $10^{-8}$ for heavy neutral leptons with mass in the range 95-126 $MeV/c^2$ and lifetime exceeding 50 ns.
See caption of Fig 5.
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.
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.
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.
Measurements of $W^+W^-\rightarrow e^\pm νμ^\mp ν$ production cross-sections are presented, providing a test of the predictions of perturbative quantum chromodynamics and the electroweak theory. The measurements are based on data from $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2015-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. The number of events due to top-quark pair production, the largest background, is reduced by rejecting events containing jets with $b$-hadron decays. An improved methodology for estimating the remaining top-quark background enables a precise measurement of $W^+W^-$ cross-sections with no additional requirements on jets. The fiducial $W^+W^-$ cross-section is determined in a maximum-likelihood fit with an uncertainty of 3.1%. The measurement is extrapolated to the full phase space, resulting in a total $W^+W^-$ cross-section of $127\pm4$ pb. Differential cross-sections are measured as a function of twelve observables that comprehensively describe the kinematics of $W^+W^-$ events. The measurements are compared with state-of-the-art theory calculations and excellent agreement with predictions is observed. A charge asymmetry in the lepton rapidity is observed as a function of the dilepton invariant mass, in agreement with the Standard Model expectation. A CP-odd observable is measured to be consistent with no CP violation. Limits on Standard Model effective field theory Wilson coefficients in the Warsaw basis are obtained from the differential cross-sections.
Measured fiducial cross-section compared with theoretical predictions from MiNNLO+Pythia8, Geneva+Pythia8, Sherpa2.2.12, and MATRIX2.1. The predictions are based on the NNPDF3.0 (red squares) and NNPDF3.1 luxQED (blue dots) PDF sets. The nNNLO predictions include photon-induced contributions (always using NNPDF3.1 luxQED) and NLO QCD corrections to the gluon-gluon initial state. The $q\bar{q}\rightarrow WW$ predictions from MiNNLO, Geneva, and Sherpa2.2.12 are combined with a Sherpa2.2.2 prediction of gluon-induced production, scaled by an inclusive NLO K-factor of 1.7. Inner (outer) error bars on the theory predictions correspond to PDF (the combination of scale and PDF) uncertainties. The MATRIX nNNLO QCD $\otimes$ NLO EW prediction using NNPDF3.1 luxQED, the best available prediction of the integrated fiducial cross-section, is in good agreement with the measurement.
Fiducial differential cross-sections as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{lead.\,lep.}}$. The measured cross-section values are shown as points with error bars giving the statistical uncertainty and solid bands indicating the size of the total uncertainty. The right-hand-side axis indicates the integrated cross-section of the rightmost bin. The results are compared to fixed-order nNNLO QCD + NLO EW predictions of Matrix 2.1, with the NNLO + PS predictions from Powheg MiNNLO + Pythia8 and Geneva + Pythia8, as well as Sherpa2.2.12 NLO + PS predictions. The last three predictions are combined with Sherpa 2.2.2 for the $gg$ initial state and Sherpa 2.2.12 for electroweak $WWjj$ production. These contributions are modelled at LO but a NLO QCD $k$-factor of 1.7 is applied for gluon induced production. Theoretical predictions are indicated as markers with vertical lines denoting PDF, scale and parton shower uncertainties. Markers are staggered for better visibility.
Correlation matrix of the statistical uncertainties in the measured fiducial cross section for the observable $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{lead.\,lep.}}$.
The formation of light (anti)nuclei with mass number A of a few units (e.g., d, $^3$He, and $^4$He) in high-energy hadronic collisions presents a longstanding mystery in nuclear physics [1,2]. It is not clear how nuclei bound by a few MeV can emerge in environments characterized by temperatures above 100 MeV [3-5], about 100,000 times hotter than the center of the Sun. Despite extensive studies, this question remained unanswered. The ALICE Collaboration now addresses it with a novel approach using deuteron-pion momentum correlations in proton-proton (pp) collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Our results provide model-independent evidence that about 80% of the observed (anti)deuterons are produced in nuclear fusion reactions [6] following the decay of short-lived resonances, such as the $\Delta (1232)$. These findings resolve a crucial gap in our understanding of nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. Beyond answering the fundamental question on how nuclei are formed in hadronic collisions, the results can be employed in the modeling of the production of light and heavy nuclei in cosmic rays [7] and dark matter decays [8,9].
Measured $\pi^{+}$–d$\oplus\pi^{-}$–$\overline{\mathrm{d}}$ (left panel) correlation function.
Measured $\pi^{-}$–d$\oplus\pi^{+}$–$\overline{\mathrm{d}}$ (right panel) correlation function.
The extracted kinetic decoupling temperature is derived from $\pi^{+}$–d correlation functions.
The mass of the top quark is measured using top-antitop-quark pair events with high transverse momentum top quarks. The dataset, collected with the ATLAS detector in proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV delivered by the Large Hadron Collider, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis targets events in the lepton-plus-jets decay channel, with an electron or muon from a semi-leptonically decaying top quark and a hadronically decaying top quark that is sufficiently energetic to be reconstructed as a single large-radius jet. The mean of the invariant mass of the reconstructed large-radius jet provides the sensitivity to the top quark mass and is simultaneously fitted with two additional observables to reduce the impact of the systematic uncertainties. The top quark mass is measured to be $m_t = 172.95 \pm 0.53$ GeV, which is the most precise ATLAS measurement from a single channel.
Values and uncertainties for the parameters of interest in the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data. The parameters of interest are the top quark mass, $m_t$, and the ratio of the measured cross-section to the Standard Model expectation of the $t\bar{t}$ cross-section, $\mu$.
Post-fit central values and uncertaintes for the nuisance parameters (including MC stat uncertainty terms) used in the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data.
Covariance matrix for the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data.
The NA62 experiment at CERN has the capability to collect data in a beam-dump mode, where 400 GeV protons are dumped on an absorber. In this configuration, New Physics particles, including dark photons, dark scalars, and axion-like particles, may be produced in the absorber and decay in the instrumented volume beginning approximately 80 m downstream of the dump. A search for these particles decaying in flight to hadronic final states is reported, based on an analysis of a sample of $1.4 \times 10^{17}$ protons on dump collected in 2021. No evidence of a New Physics signal is observed, excluding new regions of parameter spaces of multiple models.
90% CL upper limit in dark photon coupling vs mass parameter space for combined di-lepton and hadronic final states, using bremsstrahlung production without the time-like form factor.
90% CL upper limit in dark photon coupling vs mass parameter space for combined di-lepton and hadronic final states, including mixing and bremsstrahlung production with a time-like form factor.
90% CL upper limit in dark scalar coupling vs mass parameter space for combined di-lepton and hadronic final states.
A search is conducted for a new scalar boson $S$, with a mass distinct from that of the Higgs boson, decaying into four leptons ($\ell =$$e$, $\mu$) via an intermediate state containing two on-shell, promptly decaying new spin-1 bosons $Z_\text{d}$: $S \rightarrow Z_\text{d}Z_\text{d} \rightarrow 4\ell$, where the $Z_\text{d}$ boson has a mass between 15 and 300 GeV, and the $S$ boson has a mass between either 30 and 115 GeV or 130 and 800 GeV. The search uses proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider with an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. No significant excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross-section times branching ratio, $\sigma(gg \to S) \times \mathcal{B}(S\rightarrow Z_\text{d}Z_\text{d} \rightarrow 4\ell)$, as a function of the mass of both particles, $m_S$ and $m_{Z\text{d}}$.
Average dilepton mass distribution $\left\langle m_{\ell\ell}\right\rangle = \frac{1}{2}\left(m_{ab} + m_{cd}\right)$ in Signal Region 1.
Average dilepton mass distribution $\left\langle m_{\ell\ell}\right\rangle = \frac{1}{2}\left(m_{ab} + m_{cd}\right)$ in Signal Region 2.
Total invariant mass distribution $m_{4\ell}$ in Signal Region 1.