A search for nonresonant Higgs boson pair production in the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ final state is presented. The analysis uses 126 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s}={13}$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider, and targets both the gluon-gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion production modes. No evidence of the signal is found and the observed (expected) upper limit on the cross-section for nonresonant Higgs boson pair production is determined to be 5.4 (8.1) times the Standard Model predicted cross-section at 95% confidence level. Constraints are placed on modifiers to the $HHH$ and $HHVV$ couplings. The observed (expected) $2\sigma$ constraints on the $HHH$ coupling modifier, $\kappa_\lambda$, are determined to be $[-3.5, 11.3]$ ($[-5.4, 11.4]$), while the corresponding constraints for the $HHVV$ coupling modifier, $\kappa_{2V}$, are $[-0.0, 2.1]$ ($[-0.1, 2.1]$). In addition, constraints on relevant coefficients are derived in the context of the Standard Model effective field theory and Higgs effective field theory, and upper limits on the $HH$ production cross-section are placed in seven Higgs effective field theory benchmark scenarios.
Distributions of the reconstructed m<sub>HH</sub> in data (shown by the black points), the estimated background (shown by the yellow histograms) in the VBF signal region with |Δη<sub>HH</sub>| < 1.5. The hatching shows the total uncertainty of the background estimate. The distribution of the expected background is obtained using the best-fit values of the nuisance parameters in the fit to the data with the background-only hypothesis. Distributions for three choices of couplings are shown: the SM, κ<sub>λ</sub>= 6, and κ<sub>2V</sub> = 0 (with all other couplings set to their SM values in the last two models), scaled so as to be visible on the plot. The lower panels show the ratio of the observed data yield to the predicted background in each bin. Events in the overflow bins are counted in the yields of the final bins. In the HEPData entry, the raw value per histogram bin is provided, while in the published paper the values in the histogram are scaled by the bin width.
Distributions of the reconstructed m<sub>HH</sub> in data (shown by the black points), the estimated background (shown by the yellow histograms) in the VBF signal region with |Δη<sub>HH</sub>| > 1.5. The hatching shows the total uncertainty of the background estimate. The distribution of the expected background is obtained using the best-fit values of the nuisance parameters in the fit to the data with the background-only hypothesis. Distributions for three choices of couplings are shown: the SM, κ<sub>λ</sub>= 6, and κ<sub>2V</sub> = 0 (with all other couplings set to their SM values in the last two models), scaled so as to be visible on the plot. The lower panels show the ratio of the observed data yield to the predicted background in each bin. Events in the overflow bins are counted in the yields of the final bins. In the HEPData entry, the raw value per histogram bin is provided, while in the published paper the values in the histogram are scaled by the bin width.
The observed 95% CL exclusion limits as a function of κ<sub>λ</sub> (obtained using the signal strength μ<sub>ggF+VBF</sub> as the POI) from the combined ggF and VBF signal regions, as shown by the solid black line. The value of κ<sub>2V</sub> is fixed to 1. The blue and yellow bands show respectively the 1σ and 2σ bands around the expected exclusion limits, which are shown by the dashed black line. The expected exclusion limits are obtained using a fit to the data with the background-only hypothesis. The dark red line shows the predicted combined ggF and VBF HH cross-section as a function of κ<sub>λ</sub>.
Incoherent J/$\psi$ photoproduction in heavy ion ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs), in which the photon interacts with localized, fluctuating gluonic hotspots rather than the entire nucleus, provides a unique probe of those fluctuations. This study presents the first measurement of the dependence of this photoproduction yield on the photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy ($W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$), using PbPb UPCs at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The data corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.52 nb$^{-1}$, recorded by the CMS experiment. The measurement covers a wide $W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$ range of $\approx$40-400 GeV, probing gluons carrying a fraction of nucleon momentum $x$ in the range between 5.9 $\times$ 10$^{-3}$ and 6.5 $\times$ 10$^{-5}$. The measured incoherent J/$\psi$ photoproduction cross section is suppressed relative to theoretical predictions without nuclear effects. However, the ratio of incoherent to coherent photoproduction remains constant across the probed $W_\gamma^\mathrm{N}$ and $x$ range. Together, these results pose significant challenges to current theoretical models which include gluon saturation or nuclear shadowing effects.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $|y|$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $y$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of photon-nuclear center-of-mass energy per nucleon $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ or Bjorken $x$, measured in PbPb ultra-peripheral collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. The $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ values used correspond to the center of each rapidity range. The theoretical uncertainties is due to the uncertainties in the photon flux.
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
The first measurements of proton emission accompanied by neutron emission in the electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of $^{208}$Pb nuclei in the ALICE experiment at the LHC are presented. The EMD protons and neutrons emitted at very forward rapidities are detected by the proton and neutron Zero Degree Calorimeters of the ALICE experiment. The emission cross sections of zero, one, two, and three protons accompanied by at least one neutron were measured in ultraperipheral $^{208}$Pb-$^{208}$Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$~TeV. These 0p, 1p, 2p, and 3p cross sections are described by the RELDIS model, and according to this model, they are associated with the production of various isotopes of Pb, Tl, Hg, and Au in the EMD of $^{208}$Pb. The cross sections of the emission of a single proton accompanied by the emission of one, two, or three neutrons in EMD were also measured. The data are significantly overestimated by the RELDIS model, which predicts that the (1p,1n), (1p,2n), and (1p,3n) cross sections are very similar to the cross sections for the production of the thallium isotopes $^{206,205,204}$Tl.
Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of protons k accompanied by at least one neutron i in UPC of Pb nuclei.
Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of neutrons i accompanied by a single proton in UPC of Pb nuclei.
This letter presents the measurement of the energy-dependent neutrino-nucleon cross section in tungsten and the differential flux of muon neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of $13.6 \, {\rm TeV}$ and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $(65.6 \pm 1.4) \, \mathrm{fb^{-1}}$. Using the active electronic components of the FASER detector, $338.1 \pm 21.0$ charged current muon neutrino interaction events are identified, with backgrounds from other processes subtracted. We unfold the neutrino events into a fiducial volume corresponding to the sensitive regions of the FASER detector and interpret the results in two ways: We use the expected neutrino flux to measure the cross section, and we use the predicted cross section to measure the neutrino flux. Both results are presented in six bins of neutrino energy, achieving the first differential measurement in the TeV range. The observed distributions align with Standard Model predictions. Using this differential data, we extract the contributions of neutrinos from pion and kaon decays.
The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of neutrino interactions.
The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of anti-neutrino interactions.
The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of neutrino and anti-neutrino interactions.
Short-range correlations between charged particles are studied via two-particle angular correlations in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The correlation functions are measured as a function of the relative azimuthal angle $\Delta\varphi$ and the pseudorapidity separation $\Delta\eta$ for pairs of primary charged particles within the pseudorapidity interval $|\eta| < 0.9$ and the transverse-momentum range $1 < p_{\rm T} < 8$ GeV/$c$. Near-side ($|\Delta\varphi|<1.3$) peak widths are extracted from a generalised Gaussian fitted over the correlations in full pseudorapidity separation ($|\Delta\eta|<1.8$), while the per-trigger associated near-side yields are extracted for the short-range correlations ($|\Delta\eta|<1.3$). Both are evaluated as a function of charged-particle multiplicity obtained by two different event activity estimators. The width of the near-side peak decreases with increasing multiplicity, and this trend is reproduced qualitatively by the Monte Carlo event generators PYTHIA 8, AMPT, and EPOS. However, the models overestimate the width in the low transverse-momentum region ($p_{\rm T} < 3$ GeV/$c$). The per-trigger associated near-side yield increases with increasing multiplicity. Although this trend is also captured qualitatively by the considered event generators, the yield is mostly overestimated by the models in the considered kinematic range. The measurement of the shape and yield of the short-range correlation peak can help us understand the interplay between jet fragmentation and event activity, quantify the narrowing trend of the near-side peak as a function of transverse momentum and multiplicity selections in pp collisions, and search for final-state jet modification in small collision systems.
Multiplicity dependence of the near-side width $\sigma$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 13$ TeV. Obtained in transverse momentum intervals $1.0 < p_\mathrm{T, assoc} < p_\mathrm{T, trig} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$. The multiplicity is estimated with midrapidity multiplicity estimator ($|\eta|<1.0,\,p_\mathrm{T}>0.2$ GeV/$c$).
Multiplicity dependence of the near-side width $\sigma$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 13$ TeV. Obtained in transverse momentum intervals $2.0 < p_\mathrm{T, trig} < 3.0$ GeV/$c$ and $1.0 < p_\mathrm{T, assoc} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$. The mulitplicity is estimated with midrapidity multiplicity estimator ($|\eta|<1.0,\,p_\mathrm{T}>0.2$ GeV/$c$).
Multiplicity dependence of the near-side width $\sigma$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 13$ TeV. Obtained in transverse momentum intervals $2.0 < p_\mathrm{T, assoc} < p_\mathrm{T, trig} < 3.0$ GeV/$c$. The multiplicity is estimated with midrapidity multiplicity estimator ($|\eta|<1.0,\,p_\mathrm{T}>0.2$ GeV/$c$).
Bound states of charm and anticharm quarks, known as charmonia, have a rich spectroscopic structure that can be used to probe the dynamics of hadron production in high-energy hadron collisions. Here, the cross section ratio of excited ($\psi$(2S)) and ground state (J/$\psi$) vector mesons is measured as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity in proton-lead (pPb) collisions at a center-of-mass (CM) energy per nucleon pair of 8.16 TeV. The data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 175 nb$^{-1}$ were collected using the CMS detector. The ratio is measured separately for prompt and nonprompt charmonia in the transverse momentum range 6.5 $\lt$$p_\text{T}$$\lt$ 30 GeV and in four rapidity ranges spanning $-$2.865 $\lt$$y_\text{CM}$$\lt$ 1.935. For the first time, a statistically significant multiplicity dependence of the prompt cross section ratio is observed in proton-nucleus collisions. There is no clear rapidity dependence in the ratio. The prompt measurements are compared with a theoretical model which includes interactions with nearby particles during the evolution of the system. These results provide additional constraints on hadronization models of heavy quarks in nuclear collisions.
Normalized $\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi}$ in $6.5<p_T<30.0\,GeV$ and $ -2.865 < y_{CM} < -2$ as functions of normalized $\text{N}^{{\text{corr.}}}_{\text{track}}$
Normalized $\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi}$ in $6.5<p_T<30.0\,GeV$ and $ -2 < y_{CM} < -1$ as functions of normalized $\text{N}^{{\text{corr.}}}_{\text{track}}$
Normalized $\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi}$ in $6.5<p_T<30.0\,GeV$ and $ -1 < y_{CM} < 1$ as functions of normalized $\text{N}^{{\text{corr.}}}_{\text{track}}$
Top-quark pair production is observed in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider with the ATLAS detector. The data sample was recorded in 2015 and 2018, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. Events with exactly one electron and one muon and at least two jets are selected. Top-quark pair production is measured with an observed (expected) significance of 5.0 (4.1) standard deviations. The measured top-quark pair production cross-section is $\sigma_{t\bar{t}} = 3.6\;^{+1.0}_{-0.9}\;\mathrm{(stat.)}\;^{+0.8}_{-0.5}\;\mathrm{(syst.)} ~\mathrm{\mu b}$, with a total relative uncertainty of 31%, and is consistent with theoretical predictions using a range of different nuclear parton distribution functions. The observation of this process consolidates the evidence of the existence of all quark flavors in the pre-equilibrium stage of the quark-gluon plasma at very high energy densities, similar to the conditions present in the early universe.
The figure shows the post-fit distribution of events as a function of the dilepton invariant mass ($m_{e\mu}$), in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. The data correspond to the SR1 (Signal Region 1 (SR\(_1\)):} Events with exactly one muon and one oppositely charged electron, a dilepton invariant mass \( m_{e\mu} \geq 30 \, \mathrm{GeV} \), at least two jets with \( p_T \geq 35 \, \mathrm{GeV} \), and a dilepton transverse momentum \( p_T^{e\mu} > 40 \, \mathrm{GeV} \). This region is expected to be signal-dominated) channel in a pre-fit configuration. The stacked histograms represent different processes contributing to the event yield.
The figure shows the post-fit distribution of events as a function of the dilepton invariant mass ($m_{e\mu}$), in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. The data correspond to the SR2 (Signal Region 2 (SR\(_2\)):} Events meeting the same criteria as SR\(_1\), but with a dilepton transverse momentum \( p_T^{e\mu} \leq 40 \, \mathrm{GeV} \). This region includes events with a lower \( p_T^{e\mu} \) and has a larger background contribution) channel in a pre-fit configuration. The stacked histograms represent different processes contributing to the event yield.
The impact of systematic uncertainties on the fitted signal-strength parameter $\hat{\mu}$ for the combined fit of all channels. Only the 10 most significant systematic uncertainties are shown and listed in decreasing order of their impact on $\mu$ on the $y$-axis. The empty (filled) blue/cyan boxes correspond to the pre-fit (post-fit) impact on $\mu$, referring to the upper $x$-axis. The impact of each systematic uncertainty, $\Delta \mu$, is calculated by comparing the nominal best-fit value of $\mu$ with the result of the fit when fixing the corresponding nuisance parameter $\theta$ to its best-fit value $\hat{\theta}$ shifted by its pre-fit (post-fit) uncertainties $\hat{\theta} \pm \Delta \theta(\hat{\theta} \pm \Delta \hat{\theta})$. The black points, which refer to the lower $x$-axis, show the pulls of the fitted nuisance parameters, i.e., the deviations of the fitted parameters $\hat{\theta}$ from their nominal values $\theta_0$, normalized to their nominal uncertainties $\Delta \theta$. The black lines show the post-fit uncertainties of the nuisance parameters, relative to their nominal uncertainties, which are indicated by the dashed lines.
The ALICE Collaboration at the CERN LHC has measured the inclusive production cross section of isolated photons at midrapidity as a function of the photon transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$), in Pb-Pb collisions in different centrality intervals, and in pp collisions, at centre-of-momentum energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV. The photon transverse momentum range is between 10-14 and 40-140 GeV/$c$, depending on the collision system and on the Pb-Pb centrality class. The result extends to lower $p_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ than previously published results by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the same collision energy. The covered pseudorapidity range is $|\eta^{\gamma}| <0.67$. The isolation selection is based on a charged particle isolation momentum threshold $p_{\rm T}^{\rm iso,~ch} = 1.5$ GeV/$c$ within a cone of radii $R=0.2$ and $0.4$. The nuclear modification factor is calculated and found to be consistent with unity in all centrality classes, and also consistent with the HG-PYTHIA model, which describes the event selection and geometry biases that affect the centrality determination in peripheral Pb-Pb collisions. The measurement is compared to next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations and to the measurements of isolated photons and Z$^0$ bosons from the CMS experiment, which are all found to be in agreement.
Isolated-photon differential cross section measured in pp and Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$ for five Pb$-$Pb centrality classes for $R=0.2$. Note that the Pb$-$Pb data in the first five columns is scaled by $\langle N_{\mathrm{coll}} \rangle$, unlike in the figure in the paper where the theory was scaled by $\langle N_{\mathrm{coll}} \rangle$. Last two columns correspond to theory NLO pQCD calculations with JETPHOX, for pp (PDF) and Pb$-$Pb (nPDF) collisions calculated for the 0$-$100% centrality class. Data statistical and systematic uncertainties are provided. The theory scale and PDF uncertainties are provided. The data normalisation uncertainties are provided in the paper.
Isolated-photon differential cross section measured in pp and Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$ for five Pb$-$Pb centrality classes for $R=0.4$. Note that the Pb$-$Pb data in the first five columns is scaled by $\langle N_{\mathrm{coll}} \rangle$, unlike in the figure in the paper where the theory was scaled by $\langle N_{\mathrm{coll}} \rangle$. Last two columns correspond to theory NLO pQCD calculations with JETPHOX, for pp (PDF) and Pb$-$Pb (nPDF) collisions calculated for the 0$-$100% centrality class. Data statistical and systematic uncertainties are provided. The theory scale and PDF uncertainties are provided. The data normalisation uncertainties are provided in the paper.
Ratio of isolated-photon cross section measured with $R=0.4$ over $R=0.2$ for Pb$-$Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$. Each column for each Pb$-$Pb collisions centrality class and for pp collisions. The last two columns for the NLO pQCD JETPHOX calculations for pp (PDF) and Pb$-$Pb (nPDF) collisions. Data statistical and systematic uncertainties are provided. The theory statiscal (Monte Carlo approach) and PDF uncertainties are provided.
The production of prompt $D^0$ mesons in proton-lead collisions in the forward and backward configurations at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 8.16~\mathrm{TeV}$ is measured by the LHCb experiment. The nuclear modification factor of prompt $D^0$ mesons is determined as a function of the transverse momentum $p_\mathrm{T}$, and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass frame $y^*$. In the forward rapidity region, significantly suppressed production with respect to $pp$ collisions is measured, which provides significant constraints of nuclear parton distributions and hadron production down to the very low Bjorken-$x$ region of $\sim 10^{-5}$. In the backward rapidity region, a suppression with a significance of 2.0 - 3.8 standard deviations compared to nPDF expectations is found in the kinematic region of $p_\mathrm{T}>6~\mathrm{GeV}/c$ and $-3.25<y^*<-2.5$, corresponding to $x\sim 0.01$.
Double-differential cross-sections for prompt $D^0$ mesons in intervals of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y^\ast$ in forward rapidity regions.
Double-differential cross-sections for prompt $D^0$ mesons in intervals of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y^\ast$ in backward rapidity regions.
Nuclear modification factor $R_{p\mathrm{Pb}}$ for prompt $D^0$ mesons in intervals of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y^\ast$ for $p_\mathrm{T} < 10\,\mathrm{GeV}/c$ in forward rapidity regions.