This article reports on a search for dijet resonances using $132$ fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data recorded at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search is performed solely on jets reconstructed within the ATLAS trigger to overcome bandwidth limitations imposed on conventional single-jet triggers, which would otherwise reject data from decays of sub-TeV dijet resonances. Collision events with two jets satisfying transverse momentum thresholds of $p_{\textrm{T}} \ge 85$ GeV and jet rapidity separation of $|y^{*}|<0.6$ are analysed for dijet resonances with invariant masses from $375$ to $1800$ GeV. A data-driven background estimate is used to model the dijet mass distribution from multijet processes. No significant excess above the expected background is observed. Upper limits are set at $95\%$ confidence level on coupling values for a benchmark leptophobic axial-vector $Z^{\prime}$ model and on the production cross-section for a new resonance contributing a Gaussian-distributed line-shape to the dijet mass distribution.
Observed $m_{jj}$ distribution for the J50 signal region, using variable-width bins and the analysis selections. The background estimate corresponds to the ansatz fit, integrated over each bin.
Observed $m_{jj}$ distribution for the J100 signal region, using variable-width bins and the analysis selections. The background estimate corresponds to the ansatz fit, integrated over each bin.
Observed 95% $\text{CL}_\text{S}$ upper limits on the production cross-section times acceptance times branching ratio to jets, $\sigma \cdot A \cdot \text{BR}$, of Gaussian-shaped signals of 5%, 10%, and 15% width relative to their peak mass, $m_G$. Also included are the corresponding expected upper limits predicted for the case the $m_{jj}$ distribution is observed to be identical to the background prediction in each bin and the $1\sigma$ and $2\sigma$ envelopes of outcomes expected for Poisson fluctuations around the background expectation. Limits are derived from the J50 signal region.
A model-agnostic search for Beyond the Standard Model physics is presented, targeting final states with at least four light leptons (electrons or muons). The search regions are separated by event topology and unsupervised machine learning is used to identify anomalous events in the full 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector during Run 2. No significant excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed. Model-agnostic limits are presented in each topology, along with limits on several benchmark models including vector-like leptons, wino-like charginos and neutralinos, or smuons. Limits are set on the flavourful vector-like lepton model for the first time.
Comparison between data and the background prediction for the (a) m<sub>T</sub>(4ℓ, E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>), (b) m<sup>high</sup>(3ℓ), (c) m(Z), (d) E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>, (e) p<sub>T</sub>(Z), and (f) N<sub>jets</sub> distribution in the (a, d) 2Z 0b, (b, e) 1Z 1b 2SFOS, and (c, f) 0Z 2SFOS region, after requiring the anomaly score to be below the 90% background rejection point. The background contributions after the likelihood fit to data ('post-fit') for the background-only hypothesis are shown as filled histograms. The 'tt+X' background component includes the tt̄Z, and tt̄H processes. The 'HF ℓ' ('LF ℓ') background component refers to processes containing one non-prompt light lepton from heavy-flavour (light-flavour) hadron decays. The ratio of the data to the background prediction ('Bkg.') is shown in the lower panel. The 'Other' contribution is dominated by the tWZ production. The size of the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty in the background prediction is indicated by the blue hatched band. The upward-pointing blue arrows indicate points for which the data-to-background ('Data/Bkg.’) ratio exceeds the vertical range of the figure. The last bin contains the overflow.
Comparison between data and the background prediction for the (a) m<sub>T</sub>(4ℓ, E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>), (b) m<sup>high</sup>(3ℓ), (c) m(Z), (d) E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>, (e) p<sub>T</sub>(Z), and (f) N<sub>jets</sub> distribution in the (a, d) 2Z 0b, (b, e) 1Z 1b 2SFOS, and (c, f) 0Z 2SFOS region, after requiring the anomaly score to be below the 90% background rejection point. The background contributions after the likelihood fit to data ('post-fit') for the background-only hypothesis are shown as filled histograms. The 'tt+X' background component includes the tt̄Z, and tt̄H processes. The 'HF ℓ' ('LF ℓ') background component refers to processes containing one non-prompt light lepton from heavy-flavour (light-flavour) hadron decays. The ratio of the data to the background prediction ('Bkg.') is shown in the lower panel. The 'Other' contribution is dominated by the tWZ production. The size of the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty in the background prediction is indicated by the blue hatched band. The upward-pointing blue arrows indicate points for which the data-to-background ('Data/Bkg.’) ratio exceeds the vertical range of the figure. The last bin contains the overflow.
Comparison between data and the background prediction for the (a) m<sub>T</sub>(4ℓ, E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>), (b) m<sup>high</sup>(3ℓ), (c) m(Z), (d) E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup>, (e) p<sub>T</sub>(Z), and (f) N<sub>jets</sub> distribution in the (a, d) 2Z 0b, (b, e) 1Z 1b 2SFOS, and (c, f) 0Z 2SFOS region, after requiring the anomaly score to be below the 90% background rejection point. The background contributions after the likelihood fit to data ('post-fit') for the background-only hypothesis are shown as filled histograms. The 'tt+X' background component includes the tt̄Z, and tt̄H processes. The 'HF ℓ' ('LF ℓ') background component refers to processes containing one non-prompt light lepton from heavy-flavour (light-flavour) hadron decays. The ratio of the data to the background prediction ('Bkg.') is shown in the lower panel. The 'Other' contribution is dominated by the tWZ production. The size of the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty in the background prediction is indicated by the blue hatched band. The upward-pointing blue arrows indicate points for which the data-to-background ('Data/Bkg.’) ratio exceeds the vertical range of the figure. The last bin contains the overflow.
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
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 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
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$$\to$$μ^+μ^-$ 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$^{*+}$$\to$ D$^0π^+$ decays. No significant excess is observed. A limit on the branching fraction of $\mathcal{B}$(D$^0$$\to$$μ^+μ^-$) $\lt$ 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.
This paper presents the first observation of top-quark pair production in association with two photons ($t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$). The measurement is performed in the single-lepton decay channel using proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$ recorded during Run 2 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$ production cross section, measured in a fiducial phase space based on particle-level kinematic criteria for the lepton, photons, and jets, is found to be $2.42^{+0.58}_{-0.53}\, \text{fb}$, corresponding to an observed significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Additionally, the ratio of the production cross section of $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$ to top-quark pair production in association with one photon is determined, yielding $(3.30^{+0.70}_{-0.65})\times 10^{-3}$.
Measured $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$ production fiducial inclusive cross-section in single-lepton decay channel.
Measured ratio of production cross sections of $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$ to $t\bar{t}\gamma$ in single-lepton decay channel.
Summary of the relative impact of all the systematic uncertainties, in percentage, on the $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$ fiducial inclusive cross section and $R_{t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma/t\bar{t}\gamma}$ grouped into different categories. The category ‘Jet’ corresponds to the effect of JES, jet resolution and JVT uncertainties, ‘Photon’ and ‘Leptons’ include all experimental uncertainties related to photons and leptons (including trigger uncertainties), respectively.
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.
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