The results of a search for vector-like top quarks using events with exactly one lepton, at least four jets, and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search is optimised for pair production of vector-like top quarks in the $Z(\rightarrow \! \! \nu \nu) \, t + X$ decay channel. LHC pp collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016 are used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. No significant excess over the Standard Model expectation is seen and upper limits on the production cross-section of a vector-like $T$ quark pair as a function of the $T$ quark mass are derived. The observed (expected) 95% CL lower limits on the $T$ mass are 870 GeV (890 GeV) for the weak-isospin singlet model, 1.05 TeV (1.06 TeV) for the weak-isospin doublet model and 1.16 TeV (1.17 TeV) for the pure $Zt$ decay mode. Limits are also set on the mass as a function of the decay branching ratios, excluding large parts of the parameter space for masses below 1 TeV.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limit on the cross-section times branching ratio for VLQ $T$ pair production as a function of the $T$ mass for BR($T \rightarrow Zt$) = 100%.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limit on the cross-section times branching ratio for VLQ $T$ pair production as a function of the $T$ mass for branching ratios according to the singlet model.
Expected and observed 95% CL upper limit on the cross-section times branching ratio for VLQ $T$ pair production as a function of the $T$ mass for branching ratios according to the doublet model. Contributions from the $X$ or $B$ quark in the $(X^{5/3}, T)$ or $(T, B)$ doublet models are neglected, leading to very conservative limits.
Forum