A search for the dimuon decay of the Higgs boson was performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the ATLAS detector in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess is observed above the expected background. The observed (expected) upper limit on the cross section times branching ratio is 3.0 (3.1) times the Standard Model prediction at the 95% confidence level for a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV. When combined with the $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV and $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV, the observed (expected) upper limit is 2.8 (2.9) times the Standard Model prediction.
Measurement of signal strength
Event yields for the expected signal (S) and background (B) processes, and numbers of the observed data events in different categories. The full widths at half maximum (FWHM) of the signal $m_{μμ}$ distributions are also shown. In each category, the event yields are counted within an $m_{μμ}$ interval, which is centered at the simulated signal peak and contains 90% of the expected signal events. The expected signal event yields are normalized to $36.1 fb^-1$. The background in each category is normalized to the observed data yield, while the relative fractions between the different processes are fixed to the SM predictions.
The 95% CL upper limit on signal strength
A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with at least two hadronically decaying tau leptons is presented. The analysis uses a dataset of $pp$ collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant deviation from the Standard Model background expectation is observed. Limits are derived in scenarios of $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{+}\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{-}$ pair production and of $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}\tilde{\chi}_{2}^{0}$ and $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{+}\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{-}$ production in simplified models where the neutralinos and charginos decay solely via intermediate left-handed staus and tau sneutrinos, and the mass of the $\tilde{\tau}_{\mathrm L}$ state is set to be halfway between the masses of the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}$ and the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$. Chargino masses up to 630 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level in the scenario of direct production of $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{+}\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{-}$ for a massless $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$. Common $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}$, $\tilde{\chi}_{2}^{0}$ masses up to 760 GeV are excluded in the case of production of $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}\tilde{\chi}_{2}^{0}$ and $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{+}\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{-}$ assuming a massless $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$. Exclusion limits for additional benchmark scenarios with large and small mass-splitting between the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}$ and the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$ are also studied by varying the $\tilde{\tau}_{\mathrm L}$ mass between the masses of the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}$ and the $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$.
The $E_{\mathrm T}^{\mathrm{miss}}$ distribution in the $W$-CR region. The SM backgrounds other than multi-jet production are estimated from MC simulation. The contribution of $W$+jets events is scaled to the fit result. The multi-jet contribution is estimated from data using the OS-SS method. The hatched bands represent the combined statistical and systematic uncertainties of the total SM background. For illustration, the distributions of the SUSY reference points are also shown as dashed lines. The lower panels show the ratio of data to the SM background estimate. The last bin includes the overflow events.
The $m_{\mathrm{T2}}$ distribution in the $W$-CR region. The SM backgrounds other than multi-jet production are estimated from MC simulation. The contribution of $W$+jets events is scaled to the fit result. The multi-jet contribution is estimated from data using the OS-SS method. The hatched bands represent the combined statistical and systematic uncertainties of the total SM background. For illustration, the distributions of the SUSY reference points are also shown as dashed lines. The lower panels show the ratio of data to the SM background estimate. The last bin includes the overflow events.
The $E_{\mathrm T}^{\mathrm{miss}}$ distribution in the multi-jet background VR-F for SR-lowMass. The stacked histograms show the contribution of the non-multi-jet SM backgrounds from MC simulation. The multi-jet contribution is estimated from data using the ABCD method. The hatched bands represent the combined statistical and systematic uncertainties in the sum of the SM backgrounds shown. For illustration, the distributions of the SUSY reference points are also shown as dashed lines. The last bin in the left panels includes the overflow events.
Dijet events are studied in the proton--proton collision dataset recorded at $\sqrt{s}=$13 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2015 and 2016, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 3.5 fb$^{-1}$ and 33.5 fb$^{-1}$ respectively. Invariant mass and angular distributions are compared to background predictions and no significant deviation is observed. For resonance searches, a new method for fitting the background component of the invariant mass distribution is employed. The dataset is then used to set upper limits at a 95% confidence level on a range of new physics scenarios. Excited quarks with masses below 6.0 TeV are excluded, and limits are set on quantum black holes, heavy W' bosons, W* bosons, and a range of masses and couplings in a Z' dark matter mediator model. Model-independent limits on signals with a Gaussian shape are also set, using a new approach allowing factorization of physics and detector effects. From the angular distributions, a scale of new physics in contact interaction models is excluded for scenarios with either constructive or destructive interference. These results represent a substantial improvement over those obtained previously with lower integrated luminosity.
The number of events as a function of the dijet invariant mass, compared to background prediction from fit and corresponding uncertainties, in the region defined by |y*|<0.6
The number of events as a function of the dijet invariant mass, compared to background prediction from fit and corresponding uncertainties, in the region defined by |y*|<0.6
The number of events as a function of the dijet invariant mass, compared to background prediction from fit and corresponding uncertainties, in the region defined by |y*|<1.2 optimized for the W* search.
The results of a search for direct pair production of top squarks in events with two opposite-charge leptons (electrons or muons) are reported, using 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity from proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. To cover a range of mass differences between the top squark $\tilde{t}$ and lighter supersymmetric particles, four possible decay modes of the top squark are targeted with dedicated selections: the decay $\tilde{t} \rightarrow b \tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm}$ into a $b$-quark and the lightest chargino with $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{\pm} \rightarrow W \tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$, the decay $\tilde{t} \rightarrow t \tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$ into an on-shell top quark and the lightest neutralino, the three-body decay $\tilde{t} \rightarrow b W \tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$ and the four-body decay $\tilde{t} \rightarrow b \ell \nu \tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$. No significant excess of events is observed above the Standard Model background for any selection, and limits on top squarks are set as a function of the $\tilde{t}$ and $\tilde{\chi}_{1}^{0}$ masses. The results exclude at 95% confidence level $\tilde{t}$ masses up to about 720 GeV, extending the exclusion region of supersymmetric parameter space covered by previous searches.
Two-body selection background fit results for the CRs of the SRA$^{2-body}_{180}$ and SRB$^{2-body}_{140}$ background fits. The nominal expectations from MC simulation are given for comparison for those backgrounds (top, $VV$-SF, ttZ and $VZ$) that are normalised to data in dedicated CRs. The `Others category contains the contributions from $ttW$, $tth$, $ttWW$, $ttt$, $tttt$, $Wh$, $ggh$ and $Zh$ production. Combined statistical and systematic uncertainties are given. Entries marked ``--'' indicate a negligible background contribution. Uncertainties on the predicted background event yields are quoted as symmetric except where the negative uncertainty extends to zero predicted events, in which case the negative uncertainty is truncated.
Two-body selection background fit results for the CRs of the SRC$^{2-body}_{110}$ background fit. The nominal expectations from MC simulation are given for comparison for those backgrounds ($t\bar t$, $t\bar t Z$) that are normalised to data in dedicated CRs. The Others category contains the contributions from $t\bar t W$, $t\bar t h$, $t\bar t WW$, $t\bar t t$, $t\bar t t\bar t$, $Wh$, $ggh$ and $Zh$ production. Combined statistical and systematic uncertainties are given. Entries marked $--$ indicate a negligible background contribution. Uncertainties on the predicted background event yields are quoted as symmetric except where the negative uncertainty extends to zero predicted events, in which case the negative uncertainty is truncated.
Two-body selection distribution of $n_{jets}$ in CR$^{2-body}_{top}$ after the background fits. The contributions from all SM backgrounds are shown as a histogram stack; the bands represent the total statistical and detector-related systematic uncertainty. The rightmost bin of each plot includes overflow events.
A search for direct top squark pair production resulting in events with either a same-flavour opposite-sign dilepton pair with invariant mass compatible with a $Z$ boson or a pair of jets compatible with a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson ($h$) is presented. Requirements on additional leptons, jets, jets identified as originating from $b$-quarks, and missing transverse momentum are imposed to target the other decay products of the top squark pair. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015--2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$. No excess is observed in the data with respect to the SM predictions. The results are interpreted in two sets of models. In the first set, direct production of pairs of lighter top squarks ($\tilde{t}_1$) with long decay chains involving $Z$ or Higgs bosons is considered. The second set includes direct pair production of the heavier top squark pairs ($\tilde{t}_2$) decaying via $\tilde{t}_2 \rightarrow Z \tilde{t}_1 $ or $\tilde{t}_2 \rightarrow h \tilde{t}_1$. The results exclude at 95\% confidence level $\tilde{t}_2$ and $\tilde{t}_1$ masses up to about 800 GeV, extending the exclusion region of supersymmetric parameter space covered by previous LHC searches.
Jet multiplicity distributions in control regions CR$^{3\ell 1b}_{t\bar{t}Z}$, after normalising the $t\bar{t}Z$ and multi-boson background processes via the simultaneous fit described in Section 5. The contributions from all SM backgrounds are shown as a histogram stack; the bands represent the total uncertainty in the background prediction. The "Others" category contains the contributions from $t\bar{t} h$, $t\bar{t} WW$, $t\bar{t} t$, $t\bar{t} t\bar{t}$, $Wh$, and $Zh$ production.
Jet multiplicity distributions in control regions CR$^{3\ell 1b}_{t\bar{t}Z}$, after normalising the $t\bar{t}Z$ and multi-boson background processes via the simultaneous fit described in Section 5. The contributions from all SM backgrounds are shown as a histogram stack; the bands represent the total uncertainty in the background prediction. The "Others" category contains the contributions from $t\bar{t} h$, $t\bar{t} WW$, $t\bar{t} t$, $t\bar{t} t\bar{t}$, $Wh$, and $Zh$ production.
Jet multiplicity distributions in control region CR$^{3\ell 1b}_{VV}$, after normalising the $t\bar{t}Z$ and multi-boson background processes via the simultaneous fit described in Section 5. The contributions from all SM backgrounds are shown as a histogram stack; the bands represent the total uncertainty in the background prediction. The "Others" category contains the contributions from $t\bar{t} h$, $t\bar{t} WW$, $t\bar{t} t$, $t\bar{t} t\bar{t}$, $Wh$, and $Zh$ production.
Measurements of the variation of inclusive jet suppression as a function of relative azimuthal angle, Delta phi, with respect to the elliptic event plane provide insight into the path-length dependence of jet quenching. ATLAS has measured the Delta phi dependence of jet yields in 0.14 nb^-1 of sqrt(s(NN))= 2.76 TeV Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC for jet transverse momenta p_T > 45 GeV in different collision centrality bins using an underlying event subtraction procedure that accounts for elliptic flow. The variation of the jet yield with Delta phi was characterized by the parameter, v_2^jet, and the ratio of out-of-plane (Delta phi ~ pi/2) to in-plane (Delta phi ~ 0) yields. Non-zero v_2^jet values were measured in all centrality bins for p_T < 160 GeV. The jet yields are observed to vary by as much as 20% between in-plane and out-of-plane directions.
jet v2 vs jet pT for 5 to 10% centrality
jet v2 vs jet pT for 10 to 20% centrality
jet v2 vs jet pT for 20 to 30% centrality
Multi-particle cumulants and corresponding Fourier harmonics are measured for azimuthal angle distributions of charged particles in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV and in $p$+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, and compared to the results obtained for low-multiplicity Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV. These measurements aim to assess the collective nature of particle production. The measurements of multi-particle cumulants confirm the evidence for collective phenomena in $p$+Pb and low-multiplicity Pb+Pb collisions. On the other hand, the $pp$ results for four-particle cumulants do not demonstrate collective behaviour, indicating that they may be biased by contributions from non-flow correlations. A comparison of multi-particle cumulants and derived Fourier harmonics across different collision systems is presented as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity. For a given multiplicity, the measured Fourier harmonics are largest in Pb+Pb, smaller in $p$+Pb and smallest in $pp$ collisions. The $pp$ results show no dependence on the collision energy, nor on the multiplicity.
$c_2\{4\}$ cumulants for reference particles with 0.3 $< p_T <$ 3.0 GeV selected according to $M_{ref}$ (EvSel_$M_{ref}$) for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$= 5.02 TeV.
$c_2\{4\}$ cumulants for reference particles with 0.3 $< p_T <$ 3.0 GeV selected according to $M_{ref}$ (EvSel_$M_{ref}$) for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$= 13 TeV.
$c_2\{4\}$ cumulants for reference particles with 0.3 $< p_T <$ 3.0 GeV selected according to $M_{ref}$ (EvSel_$M_{ref}$) for pPb collisions at $\sqrt{ s_{NN} }$= 5.02 TeV.
The distributions of transverse momentum and longitudinal momentum fraction of charged particles in jets are measured in Pb+Pb and pp collisions with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The distributions are measured as a function of jet transverse momentum and rapidity. The analysis utilises an integrated luminosity of 0.14 nb$^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb data and 4.0 pb$^{-1}$ of pp data collected in 2011 and 2013, respectively, at the same centre-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per colliding nucleon pair. The distributions measured in pp collisions are used as a reference for those measured in Pb+Pb collisions in order to evaluate the impact on the internal structure of jets from the jet energy loss of fast partons propagating through the hot, dense medium created in heavy-ion collisions. Modest but significant centrality-dependent modifications of fragmentation functions in Pb+Pb collisions with respect to those in pp collisions are seen. No significant dependence of modifications on jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ and rapidity selections is observed except for the fragments with the highest transverse momenta for which some reduction of yields is observed for more forward jets.
D(pt) distributions for pp and Pb+Pb collisions, jet rapidity |y| < 2.1.
D(pt) distributions for pp and Pb+Pb collisions, jet rapidity |y| < 0.3.
D(pt) distributions for pp and Pb+Pb collisions, jet rapidity 0.3 < |y| < 0.8.
Several extensions of the Standard Model predict associated production of dark-matter particles with a Higgs boson. Such processes are searched for in final states with missing transverse momentum and a Higgs boson decaying to a $b\bar b$ pair with the ATLAS detector using 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the LHC. The observed data are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions and limits are placed on the associated production of dark-matter particles and a Higgs boson.
Distributions of the invariant mass of the Higgs boson candidates mh=m_J with one b-tag in the SR for the fourth MET category which is used as input to the fit.
Distributions of the invariant mass of the Higgs boson candidates mh=m_jj with two b-tags in the SR for the first MET category that is used as input to the fit.
Distributions of the invariant mass of the Higgs boson candidates mh=m_jj with two b-tags in the SR for the second MET category that is used as input to the fit.
Light-by-light scattering ($\gamma\gamma\rightarrow\gamma\gamma$) is a quantum-mechanical process that is forbidden in the classical theory of electrodynamics. This reaction is accessible at the Large Hadron Collider thanks to the large electromagnetic field strengths generated by ultra-relativistic colliding lead (Pb) ions. Using 480 $\mu$b$^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb collision data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV by the ATLAS detector, the ATLAS Collaboration reports evidence for the $\gamma\gamma\rightarrow\gamma\gamma$ reaction. A total of 13 candidate events are observed with an expected background of 2.6$\pm$0.7 events. After background subtraction and analysis corrections, the fiducial cross section of the process $\textrm{Pb+Pb}\,(\gamma\gamma)\rightarrow \textrm{Pb}^{(\ast)}\textrm{+}\textrm{Pb}^{(\ast)}\,\gamma\gamma$, for photon transverse energy $E_{\mathrm{T}}>$3 GeV, photon absolute pseudorapidity $|\eta|<$2.4, diphoton invariant mass greater than 6 GeV, diphoton transverse momentum lower than 2 GeV and diphoton acoplanarity below 0.01, is measured to be 70 $\pm$ 24 (stat.) $\pm$ 17 (syst.) nb, which is in agreement with Standard Model predictions.
Detector-level diphoton invariant mass distribution
Detector-level diphoton acoplanarity distribution
The measured total fiducial cross section
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