The associated production of Higgs and $W$ bosons via vector-boson fusion (VBF) is highly sensitive to the relative sign of the Higgs boson couplings to $W$ and $Z$ bosons. In this Letter, two searches for this process are presented, using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The first search targets scenarios with opposite-sign couplings of the $W$ and $Z$ bosons to the Higgs boson, while the second targets Standard Model-like scenarios with same-sign couplings. Both analyses consider Higgs decays into a pair of $b$-quarks and $W$ decays with an electron or muon. The opposite-sign coupling hypothesis is excluded with significance much greater than $5\sigma$, and the observed (expected) upper limit set on the cross-section for VBF $WH$ production is 9.0 (8.7) times the Standard Model value.
Data compared to the background prediction in each region of the negative $\lambda_{WZ}$ analysis, before the fit to data. The signal prediction with $\kappa_{W} = +1$, $\kappa_{Z} = -1$ is shown overlaid. The predicted signal yield with $\kappa_{W} = +1$, $\kappa_{Z} = +1$ in SR$^{-}$ is 2.93 events, which is not shown in the figure. The shaded bands represent the total pre-fit uncertainty on the prediction. The uncertainty does not include the normalization of the main backgrounds, which is unconstrained in the fit.
Data compared to the background prediction in each region of the negative $\lambda_{WZ}$ analysis, after the fit to data. The fitted signal strength is $\hat{\mu} = -0.027$, corresponding to $-8$ events. This contribution is not shown in the figure. The predicted signal yield with $\kappa_{W} = +1$, $\kappa_{Z} = +1$ in SR$^{-}$ is 2.93 events, which is also not shown in the figure. The shaded bands represent the total post-fit uncertainty on the prediction.
Data compared to the SM prediction in each region of the positive \lam{} analysis, before the fit to data. The shaded bands represent the total pre-fit uncertainty on the prediction. The uncertainty does not include the normalization of the main backgrounds, which is unconstrained in the fit.
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.
This paper presents a measurement of the production cross-section of a $Z$ boson in association with $b$- or $c$-jets, in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. Inclusive and differential cross-sections are measured for events containing a $Z$ boson decaying into electrons or muons and produced in association with at least one $b$-jet, at least one $c$-jet, or at least two $b$-jets with transverse momentum $p_\textrm{T} > 20$ GeV and rapidity $|y| < 2.5$. Predictions from several Monte Carlo generators based on next-to-leading-order matrix elements interfaced with a parton-shower simulation, with different choices of flavour schemes for initial-state partons, are compared with the measured cross-sections. The results are also compared with novel predictions, based on infrared and collinear safe jet flavour dressing algorithms. Selected $Z + \ge 1 c$-jet observables, optimized for sensitivity to intrinsic-charm, are compared with benchmark models with different intrinsic-charm fractions.
Figure 6(left) of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z \left( \rightarrow \ell \ell \right) \geq 1 b$-jet. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
Figure 6(right) of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z \left( \rightarrow \ell \ell \right) \geq 2 b$-jets. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
Figure 7 of the article. Measured fiducial cross sections for events with $Z \left( \rightarrow \ell \ell \right) \geq 1 c$-jet. The thin inner band corresponds to the statistical uncertainty of the data, and the outer band to statistical and systematic uncertainties of the data, added in quadrature.
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 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.
The forward-backward asymmetry in Drell-Yan production and the effective leptonic electroweak mixing angle are measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The measurement uses both dimuon and dielectron events, and is performed as a function of the dilepton mass and rapidity. The unfolded angular coefficient $A_4$ is also extracted, as a function of the dilepton mass and rapidity. Using the CT18Z set of parton distribution functions, we obtain $\sin\theta^\ell_\text{eff}$ = 0.23152 $\pm$ 0.00031, where the uncertainty includes the experimental and theoretical contributions. The measured value agrees with the standard model fit result to global experimental data. This is the most precise $\sin\theta^\ell_\text{eff}$ measurement at a hadron collider, with a precision comparable to the results obtained at LEP and SLD.
Measured $A_4(|Y|,M))$ distribution for the combined Run 2 data.
Correlation coefficients for the $A_4(|Y|,M)$ values among different $|Y|-M$ bins. The $A_4(|Y|,M)$ values and total uncertainties are shown in Figure 8 in the paper.
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
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.
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.
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