A search for a dark photon, a new light neutral particle, which decays promptly into collimated pairs of electrons or muons is presented. The search targets dark photons resulting from the exotic decay of the Standard Model Higgs boson, assuming its production via the dominant gluon-gluon fusion mode. The analysis is based on 140 fb$^{-1}$ of data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Events with collimated pairs of electrons or muons are analysed and background contributions are estimated using data-driven techniques. No significant excess in the data above the Standard Model background is observed. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson decay into dark photons between 0.001% and 5%, depending on the assumed dark photon mass and signal model.
Simulated distributions of the number of μLJ candidates for a selection of γ<sub>d</sub> mass values. The shape and normalisation of the distributions are extracted from the parameterisation obtained for μLJ-μLJ SR, using the FRVZ model and assuming a branching ratio of the Higgs boson decay to dark photons of 5%.
The background-only fit (with its components) of the μLJ mass distributions for the μLJ–μLJ region, where both the μLJs are included. A signal distribution for a dark photon mass of 1 GeV is overlaid, assuming the HAHM model and a branching ratio of the Higgs boson to dark photons of 0.5%. The points reported in the table correspond to the μLJ mass distribution in data. The background pdf is defined in Eq. 1 in the paper. The corresponding fitted parameters in the Signal Region are N<sub>exp1</sub>=54, N<sub>exp2</sub>=137, τ<sub>1</sub>=3.2 GeV, τ<sub>2</sub>=1.3 GeV, N<sub>J/ψ</sub>=34. The parameter σ<sub>J/ψ</sub> is fixed from the Control Region fit to 0.033 GeV.
The background-only fit (with its components) of the μLJ mass distributions for the eLJ–μLJ region. A signal distribution for a dark photon mass of 1 GeV is overlaid, assuming the HAHM model and a branching ratio of the Higgs boson to dark photons of 0.5%. The points reported in the table correspond to the μLJ mass distribution in data. The background pdf is defined in Eq. 1 in the paper. The corresponding fitted parameters in the Signal Region are N<sub>exp1</sub>=168, N<sub>exp2</sub>=26, τ<sub>1</sub>=0.50 GeV, τ<sub>2</sub>=0.34 GeV, N<sub>J/ψ</sub>=26. The parameter σ<sub>J/ψ</sub> is fixed from the Control Region fit to 0.033 GeV.
High-energy nuclear collisions create a quark-gluon plasma, whose initial condition and subsequent expansion vary from event to event, impacting the distribution of the event-wise average transverse momentum ($P([p_{\mathrm{T}}])$). Distinguishing between contributions from fluctuations in the size of the nuclear overlap area (geometrical component) and other sources at fixed size (intrinsic component) presents a challenge. Here, these two components are distinguished by measuring the mean, variance, and skewness of $P([p_{\mathrm{T}}])$ in $^{208}$Pb+$^{208}$Pb and $^{129}$Xe+$^{129}$Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{\mathrm{NN}}}} = 5.02$ and 5.44 TeV, respectively, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. All observables show distinct changes in behavior in ultra-central collisions, where the geometrical variations are suppressed as the overlap area reaches its maximum. These results demonstrate a new technique to disentangle geometrical and intrinsic fluctuations, enabling constraints on initial condition and properties of the quark-gluon plasma, such as the speed of sound.
Data from Figure 1, panel a, $\left\langle[p_{T}]\right\rangle$ vs $N_{ch}$ for Pb+Pb collisions, 0.5 $ <p_{T}< $ 5 GeV/c, $|\eta|< $ 2.5
Data from Figure 1, panel b, $\left\langle[p_{T}]\right\rangle$ vs $N_{ch}$ for Pb+Pb collisions, 0.5 $ <p_{T}< $ 5 GeV/c, $|\eta|< $ 2.5
Data from Figure 1, panel b, $\left\langle[p_{T}]\right\rangle$ vs $N_{ch}$ for Xe+Xe collisions, 0.5 $ <p_{T}< $ 5 GeV/c, $|\eta|< $ 2.5
This paper presents a search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson into a pair of new pseudoscalar particles, $H\rightarrow aa$, where one pseudoscalar decays into a $b$-quark pair and the other decays into a $\tau$-lepton pair, in the mass range $12\leq m_{a}\leq 60$ GeV. The analysis uses $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 ${fb}^{-1}$. No significant excess above the Standard Model (SM) prediction is observed. Assuming the SM Higgs boson production cross-section, the search sets upper limits at 95% confidence level on the branching ratio of Higgs bosons decaying into $b\bar{b}\tau^+\tau^-$, $\mathcal{B}(H \rightarrow aa \rightarrow b\bar{b}\tau^+\tau^-)$, between 2.2% and 3.9% depending on the pseudoscalar mass.
Visible mass $m^{\mathrm{vis}}(\mu\tau_{\mathrm{had}})$ and distribution for signal and the expected background. In order to compare the shapes, the expected signal distribution is shown assuming ten times the production cross section of the Higgs boson and a 100% branching ratio to $b\bar{b}\tau^+\tau^-$. Overflow events are included in the last bins.
Sum of the transverse mass $\Sigma m_T$ distributions for signal and the expected background. Events with high $m^{\mathrm{vis}}(\mu\tau_{\mathrm{had}})$ and high $\Sigma m_T$ are included in the $t\bar{t}$ region. In order to compare the shapes, the expected signal distribution is shown assuming ten times the production cross section of the Higgs boson and a 100% branching ratio to $b\bar{b}\tau^+\tau^-$. Overflow events are included in the last bins.
The pNN input variable visible mass $m^{\mathrm{vis}}(\mu\tau_{\mathrm{had}})$ is shown in the SR with no cut on the pNN discriminant. The signal shape is normalized to the same integral as the total background prediction. Overflow events are included in the last bins.
In heavy-ion collision experiments, the global collectivity of final-state particles can be quantified by anisotropic flow coefficients ($v_n$). The first-order flow coefficient, also referred to as the directed flow ($v_{1}$), describes the collective sideward motion of produced particles and nuclear fragments in heavy-ion collisions. It carries information on the very early stage of the collision, especially at large pseudorapidity ($\eta$), where it is believed to be generated during the nuclear passage time. Directed flow therefore probes the onset of bulk collective dynamics during thermalization, providing valuable experimental guidance to models of the pre-equilibrium stage. In 2018, the Event Plane Detector (EPD) was installed in STAR and used for the Beam Energy Scan phase-II (BES-II) data taking. The combination of EPD ($2.1 <|\eta|< 5.1$) and high-statistics BES-II data enables us to extend the $v_{1}$ measurement to the forward and backward $\eta$ regions. In this paper, we present the measurement of $v_{1}$ over a wide $\eta$ range in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=$ 19.6 and 27 GeV using the STAR EPD. The results of the analysis at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=$19.6 GeV exhibit excellent consistency with the previous PHOBOS measurement, while elevating the precision of the overall measurement. The increased precision of the measurement also revealed finer structures in heavy-ion collisions, including a potential observation of the first-order event-plane decorrelation. Multiple physics models were compared to the experimental results. Only a transport model and a three-fluid hybrid model can reproduce a sizable $v_{1}$ at large $\eta$ as was observed experimentally. The model comparison also indicates $v_{1}$ at large $\eta$ might be sensitive to the QGP phase transition.
Directed flow vs pseudorapidity.
Directed flow vs pseudorapidity.
Directed flow vs pseudorapidity.
This Letter presents results from a combination of searches for Higgs boson pair production using 126$-$140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. At 95% confidence level (CL), the upper limit on the production rate is 2.9 times the standard model (SM) prediction, with an expected limit of 2.4 assuming no Higgs boson pair production. Constraints on the Higgs boson self-coupling modifier $\kappa_{\lambda}=\lambda_{HHH}/\lambda_{HHH}^\mathrm{SM}$, and the quartic $HHVV$ coupling modifier $\kappa_{2V}=g_{HHVV}/g_{HHVV}^\mathrm{SM}$, are derived individually, fixing the other parameter to its SM value. The observed 95% CL intervals are $-1.2 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 7.2$ and $0.6 < \kappa_{2V} < 1.5$, respectively, while the expected intervals are $-1.6 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 7.2$ and $0.4 < \kappa_{2V} < 1.6$ in the SM case. Constraints obtained for several interaction parameters within Higgs effective field theory are the strongest to date, offering insights into potential deviations from SM predictions.
Observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the signal strength for inclusive ggF HH and VBF HH production from the bb̄τ<sup>+</sup>τ<sup>-</sup>, bb̄γγ, bb̄bb̄, multilepton and bb̄ℓℓ+E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup> decay channels, and their statistical combination. The predicted SM cross-section assumes m<sub>H</sub> = 125 GeV. The expected limit, along with its associated ±1σ and ±2σ bands, is calculated for the assumption of no HH production and with all NPs profiled to the observed data.
Expected value of the test statistic (-2ln$\Lambda$), as a function of the $\kappa_\lambda$ parameter for $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$.
Expected value of the test statistic (-2ln$\Lambda$), as a function of the $\kappa_\lambda$ parameter for $b\bar{b}\tau\tau$.
Measurements of jet cross-section ratios between inclusive bins of jet multiplicity are performed in 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton--proton collisions with $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV center-of-mass energy, recorded with the ATLAS detector at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Observables that are sensitive the energy-scale and angular distribution of radiation due to the strong interaction in the final state are measured double-differentially, in bins of jet multiplicity, and are unfolded to account for acceptance and detector-related effects. Additionally, the scalar sum of the two leading jets' transverse momenta is measured triple-differentially, in bins of the third jet's transverse momentum as well as bins of jet multiplicity. The measured distributions are used to construct ratios of the inclusive jet-multiplicity bins, which have been shown to be sensitive to the strong coupling $\alpha_{\textrm S}$ while being less sensitive than other observables to systematic uncertainties and parton distribution functions. The measured distributions are compared with state-of-the-art QCD calculations, including next-to-next-to-leading-order predictions. Studies leading to reduced jet energy scale uncertainties significantly improve the precision of this work, and are documented herein.
R32 for $H_{T2}$, 60 GeV < $p_{T,3}$
R32 for $H_{T2}$, 0.05 x $H_{T2} < $p_{T,3}$
R32 for $H_{T2}$, 0.1 x $H_{T2} < $p_{T,3}$
$Z$ boson events at the Large Hadron Collider can be selected with high purity and are sensitive to a diverse range of QCD phenomena. As a result, these events are often used to probe the nature of the strong force, improve Monte Carlo event generators, and search for deviations from Standard Model predictions. All previous measurements of $Z$ boson production characterize the event properties using a small number of observables and present the results as differential cross sections in predetermined bins. In this analysis, a machine learning method called OmniFold is used to produce a simultaneous measurement of twenty-four $Z$+jets observables using $139$ fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector. Unlike any previous fiducial differential cross-section measurement, this result is presented unbinned as a dataset of particle-level events, allowing for flexible re-use in a variety of contexts and for new observables to be constructed from the twenty-four measured observables.
Differential cross-section in bins of dimuon $p_\text{T}$. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
Differential cross-section in bins of dimuon rapidity. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
Differential cross-section in bins of leading muon $p_\mathrm{T]$. The actual measurement is unbinned and available with examples at <a href="https://gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024">gitlab.cern.ch/atlas-physics/public/sm-z-jets-omnifold-2024</a>
A search is presented for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production, targeting the $bbZZ$, 4$V$ ($V$ = $W$ or $Z$), $VV\tau\tau$, 4$\tau$, $\gamma\gamma VV$ and $\gamma\gamma\tau\tau$ decay channels. Events are categorised based on the multiplicity of light charged leptons (electrons or muons), hadronically decaying tau leptons, and photons. The search is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. No evidence of the signal is found and the observed (expected) upper limit on the cross-section for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production is determined to be 17 (11) times the Standard Model predicted cross-section at 95% confidence level under the background-only hypothesis. The observed (expected) constraints on the $HHH$ coupling modifier, $\kappa_{\lambda}$, are determined to be $-6.2 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 11.6$ ($-4.5 < \kappa_{\lambda} < 9.6$) at 95% confidence level, assuming the Standard Model for the expected limits and that new physics would only affect $\kappa_{\lambda}$.
Number of ggF and VBF SM HH signal events satisfying the preselection requirements from the targeted HH decay modes and their acceptance into the different ML search channels.
Number of ggF and VBF SM HH signal events satisfying the preselection requirements from the targeted HH decay modes and their acceptance into the different $\gamma\gamma$+ML search channels.
Distribution of the BDT output score in the 4l+2b channel signal region.
A comprehensive study of the local and nonlocal amplitudes contributing to the decay $B^0\rightarrow K^{*0}(\to K^+\pi^-) \mu^+\mu^-$ is performed by analysing the phase-space distribution of the decay products. The analysis is based on $pp$ collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.4fb$^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. This measurement employs for the first time a model of both one-particle and two-particle nonlocal amplitudes, and utilises the complete dimuon mass spectrum without any veto regions around the narrow charmonium resonances. In this way it is possible to explicitly isolate the local and nonlocal contributions and capture the interference between them. The results show that interference with nonlocal contributions, although larger than predicted, only has a minor impact on the Wilson Coefficients determined from the fit to the data. For the local contributions, the Wilson Coefficient $C_9$, responsible for vector dimuon currents, exhibits a $2.1\sigma$ deviation from the Standard Model expectation. The Wilson Coefficients $C_{10}$, $C_{9}'$ and $C_{10}'$ are all in better agreement than $C_{9}$ with the Standard Model and the global significance is at the level of $1.5\sigma$. The model used also accounts for nonlocal contributions from $B^{0}\to K^{*0}\left[\tau^+\tau^-\to \mu^+\mu^-\right]$ rescattering, resulting in the first direct measurement of the $b s\tau\tau$ vector effective-coupling $C_{9\tau}$.
Signal parameter results. See Table 1 in README.pdf in the attached resources for an explicit mapping between text-based parameter names and their symbolic representations in the main paper.
Total covariance matrix including both statistical and systematic effects. See Sec. 5 in the main paper for a description of the dominant systematic uncertainties. See Table 1 in README.pdf in the attached resources for an explicit mapping between text-based parameter names and their symbolic representations in the main paper.
Statistical covariance matrix. See Table 1 in README.pdf in the attached resources for an explicit mapping between text-based parameter names and their symbolic representations in the main paper.
Properties of the underlying-event in $pp$ interactions are investigated primarily via the strange hadrons $K_{S}^{0}$, $\Lambda$ and $\bar\Lambda$, as reconstructed using the ATLAS detector at the LHC in minimum-bias $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV. The hadrons are reconstructed via the identification of the displaced two-particle vertices corresponding to the decay modes $K_{S}^{0}\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-$, $\Lambda\rightarrow\pi^-p$ and $\bar\Lambda\rightarrow\pi^+\bar{p}$. These are used in the construction of underlying-event observables in azimuthal regions computed relative to the leading charged-particle jet in the event. None of the hadronisation and underlying-event physics models considered can describe the data over the full kinematic range considered. Events with a leading charged-particle jet in the range of $10 < p_T \leq 40$ GeV are studied using the number of prompt charged particles in the transverse region. The ratio $N(\Lambda + \bar\Lambda)/N(K_{S}^{0})$ as a function of the number of such charged particles varies only slightly over this range. This disagrees with the expectations of some of the considered Monte Carlo models.
Mean multiplicity of $K^{0}_{S}$ per unit $(\eta, \phi)$ in the away region vs. leading-jet $p_{T}$
Statistical covariance between bins of Table 1
Mean multiplicity of $K^{0}_{S}$ per unit $(\eta, \phi)$ in the towards region vs. leading-jet $p_{T}$