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.
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
Energy-energy correlators are constructed by averaging the number of charged particle pairs within jets, weighted by the product of their transverse momenta, as a function of the angular separation of the particles within a pair. They are sensitive to a multitude of perturbative and nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics phenomena in high-energy particle collisions. Using lead-lead data recorded with the CMS detector, energy-energy correlators inside high transverse momentum jets are measured in heavy ion collisions for the first time. The data are obtained at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.70 nb$^{-1}$. A similar analysis is done for proton-proton collisions at the same center-of-mass energy to establish a reference. The ratio of lead-lead to proton-proton energy-energy correlators reveals significant jet substructure modifications in the quark-gluon plasma. The results are compared to different models that incorporate either color coherence or medium response effects, where the two effects predict similar substructure modifications.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $120 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 140$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $120 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 140$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
The energy-energy correlator distributions constructed with charged particles with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 1$ GeV for energy weight $n=1$ and jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ selection $140 < p_{\mathrm{T,jet}} < 160$ GeV. The results are shown for different centrality bins in PbPb collisions and for pp collisions.
A search for nonresonant new physics phenomena in high-mass dilepton events produced in association with b-tagged jets is performed using proton-proton collision data collected in 2016$-$2018 by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis considers two effective field theory models with dimension-six operators; involving four-fermion contact interactions between two leptons ($\ell\ell$, electrons or muons) and b or s quarks (bb$\ell\ell$ and bs$\ell\ell$). Two lepton flavor combinations (ee and $μμ$) are required and events are classified as having 0, 1, and $\geq$2 b-tagged jets in the final state. No significant excess is observed over the standard model backgrounds. Upper limits are set on the production cross section of the new physics signals. These translate into lower limits on the energy scale $Λ$ of 6.9 to 9.0 TeV in the bb$\ell\ell$ model, depending on model parameters, and on the ratio of energy scale and effective coupling, $Λ/g_*$, of 2.0 to 2.6 TeV in the bs$\ell\ell$ model. The latter represent the most stringent limits on this model to date. Lepton flavor universality is also tested by comparing the dielectron and dimuon mass spectra for different b-tagged jet multiplicities. No significant deviation from the standard model expectation of unity is observed.
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel for different bbll signal scenarios
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel for different bbll (destructive interference) signal scenarios
Signal efficiencies with Full Run 2 dimuon channel in 1b final state for different bbll signal scenarios
A search for beyond-the-standard-model neutral Higgs bosons decaying to a pair of bottom quarks, and produced in association with at least one additional bottom quark, is performed with the CMS detector. The data were recorded in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.7-126.9 fb$^{-1}$ depending on the probed mass range. No signal above the standard model background expectation is observed. Upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction are set for Higgs bosons in the mass range of 125-1800 GeV. The results are interpreted in benchmark scenarios of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, as well as suitable classes of two-Higgs-doublet models.
Signal efficiency as a function of the mass $m_\phi$ after triple b tag selection for 2017 SL (squares), 2017 FH (triangles), and 2018 FH (circles) channels.
Expected and observed upper limits for the b-quark-associated Higgs boson production cross section times branching fraction of the decay into a b quark pair at 95% CL as functions of $m_\phi$ for the 2017 SL category. The vertical dashed lines indicate the boundaries of usage of the different fit ranges, as reflected in the rightmost column of Table 2.
Expected and observed upper limits for the b-quark-associated Higgs boson production cross section times branching fraction of the decay into a b quark pair at 95% CL as functions of $m_\phi$ for the 2017 FH category. The vertical dashed lines indicate the boundaries of usage of the different fit ranges, as reflected in the rightmost column of Table 2.
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.
Forum