A search for new phenomena in final states containing an $e^+e^-$ or $\mu^+\mu^-$ pair, jets, and large missing transverse momentum is presented. This analysis makes use of proton--proton collision data with an integrated luminosity of $36.1 \; \mathrm{fb}^{-1}$, collected during 2015 and 2016 at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search targets the pair production of supersymmetric coloured particles (squarks or gluinos) and their decays into final states containing an $e^+e^-$ or $\mu^+\mu^-$ pair and the lightest neutralino ($\tilde{\chi}_1^0$) via one of two next-to-lightest neutralino ($\tilde{\chi}_2^0$) decay mechanisms: $\tilde{\chi}_2^0 \rightarrow Z \tilde{\chi}_1^0$, where the $Z$ boson decays leptonically leading to a peak in the dilepton invariant mass distribution around the $Z$ boson mass; and $\tilde{\chi}_2^0 \rightarrow \ell^+\ell^- \tilde{\chi}_1^0$ with no intermediate $\ell^+\ell^-$ resonance, yielding a kinematic endpoint in the dilepton invariant mass spectrum. The data are found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectation. Results are interpreted using simplified models, and exclude gluinos and squarks with masses as large as 1.85 TeV and 1.3 TeV at 95% confidence level, respectively.
Observed and expected dilepton mass distributions, with the bin boundaries considered for the interpretation, in SR-low. All statistical and systematic uncertainties of the expected background are included in the hatched band. An example signal from the slepton model with m(gluino) = 1200 GeV and m(neutralino1) = 900 GeV is overlaid.
Observed and expected dilepton mass distributions, with the bin boundaries considered for the interpretation, in SR-med. All statistical and systematic uncertainties of the expected background are included in the hatched band. An example signal from the slepton model with m(gluino) = 1600 GeV and m(neutralino1) = 900 GeV, and from an on-$Z$ model with m(gluino) = 1640 GeV and m(neutralino1) = 1160 GeV, is overlaid.
Observed and expected dilepton mass distributions, with the bin boundaries considered for the interpretation, in SR-high. All statistical and systematic uncertainties of the expected background are included in the hatched band. An example signal from the slepton model with m(gluino) = 1800 GeV and m(neutralino1) = 500 GeV, and from an on-$Z$ model with m(gluino) = 1650 GeV and m(neutralino1) = 550 GeV, is overlaid.
A search for direct pair production of top squarks in final states with two tau leptons, $b$-jets, and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2015 and 2016. Two exclusive channels with either two hadronically decaying tau leptons or one hadronically and one leptonically decaying tau lepton are considered. No significant deviation from the Standard Model predictions is observed in the data. The analysis results are interpreted in terms of model-independent limits and used to derive exclusion limits on the masses of the top squark $\tilde t_1$ and the tau slepton $\tilde \tau_1$ in a simplified model of supersymmetry with a nearly massless gravitino. In this model, masses up to $m(\tilde t_1) = 1.16$ TeV and $m(\tilde \tau_1) = 1.00$ TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level.
Distribution of m<sub>T2</sub> in the signal region of the lep-had channel before the respective selection requirements, indicated by the vertical line and arrow, are applied. The stacked histograms show the various SM background contributions. The total background from events with a fake tau lepton in the lep-had channel (fake τ<sub>had</sub> + e /μ) is obtained from the fake-factor method. The hatched band indicates the total statistical and systematic uncertainty in the SM background. The error bars on the black data points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data yields. The dashed line shows the expected additional yields from a benchmark signal model. The rightmost bin includes the overflow.
Distributions of E<sub>T</sub><sup>miss</sup> in the signal region of the lep-had channel before the respective selection requirements, indicated by the vertical line and arrow, are applied. The stacked histograms show the various SM background contributions. The total background from events with a fake tau lepton in the lep-had channel (fake τ<sub>had</sub> + e /μ) is obtained from the fake-factor method. The hatched band indicates the total statistical and systematic uncertainty in the SM background. The error bars on the black data points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data yields. The dashed line shows the expected additional yields from a benchmark signal model. The rightmost bin includes the overflow.
Distributions of m<sub>T2</sub> in the signal region of the had-had channel before the respective selection requirements, indicated by the vertical line and arrow, are applied. Here, τ<sub>1</sub> (τ<sub>2</sub>) refers to the leading (subleading) τ<sub>had</sub>. The stacked histograms show the various SM background contributions. The hatched band indicates the total statistical and systematic uncertainty in the SM background. The error bars on the black data points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data yields. The dashed line shows the expected additional yields from a benchmark signal model. The rightmost bin includes the overflow.
A search for $W'$-boson production in the $W' \rightarrow t\bar{b} \rightarrow q\bar{q}' b\bar{b}$ decay channel is presented using 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2015 and 2016. The search is interpreted in terms of both a left-handed and a right-handed chiral $W'$ boson within the mass range 1-5 TeV. Identification of the hadronically decaying top quark is performed using jet substructure tagging techniques based on a shower deconstruction algorithm. No significant deviation from the Standard Model prediction is observed and the results are expressed as upper limits on the $W' \rightarrow t\bar{b}$ production cross-section times branching ratio as a function of the $W'$-boson mass. These limits exclude $W'$ bosons with right-handed couplings with masses below 3.0 TeV and $W'$ bosons with left-handed couplings with masses below 2.9 TeV, at the 95% confidence level.
Observed and expected 95% CL limits on the right-handed W'-boson cross-section times branching ratio of W' to tb decay as a function of the corresponding W'-boson mass.
Observed and expected 95% CL limits on the left-handed W'-boson cross-section times branching ratio of W' to tb decay as a function of the corresponding W'-boson mass.
Reconstructed mtb distribution in data and for the background after the fit to the data in the signal region SR1. The statistical uncertainty on data points is calculated using assymetric Poisson confidence intervals.
A search for a heavy neutral Higgs boson, $A$, decaying into a $Z$ boson and another heavy Higgs boson, $H$, is performed using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ from proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV recorded in 2015 and 2016 by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search considers the $Z$ boson decaying to electrons or muons and the $H$ boson into a pair of $b$-quarks. No evidence for the production of an $A$ boson is found. Considering each production process separately, the 95% confidence-level upper limits on the $pp\rightarrow A\rightarrow ZH$ production cross-section times the branching ratio $H\rightarrow bb$ are in the range of 14-830 fb for the gluon-gluon fusion process and 26-570 fb for the $b$-associated process for the mass ranges 130-700 GeV of the $H$ boson and process for the mass ranges 130-700 GeV of the $H$ boson and 230-800 GeV of the $A$ boson. The results are interpreted in the context of the two-Higgs-doublet model.
The signal efficiency for the production modes (gluon-gluon fusion and b-associated production) and the signal regions used in the analysis. The efficiency denominator has the total number of generated MC events. The numerator includes the events passing the full signal region selection, including the mbb window cuts. The table shows for each signal mass pair (mA, mH) 3 efficiencies corresponding to the two production modes in the two categories, 2tag and 3tag. These corresponds to "nb = 2 category" and "nb >= 3 category", respectively, of the preprint. No numbers for gluon-gluon fusion in the 3tag category are provided since those are not used in the analysis. The efficiencies are given in fractions.
The cross section times BR(A->ZH) times BR(H->bb) limits for a narrow width A boson produced via gluon-gluon fusion. For each signal point, characterised by the mass pair (mA, mH), two limits are provided, the observed and the expected. The result refers to the nb=2 category only.
The cross section times BR(A->ZH) times BR(H->bb) limits for a narrow width A boson produced in association with b-quarks. For each signal point, characterised by the mass pair (mA, mH), two limits are provided, the observed and the expected. The result refers to the combination of the nb=2 and nb>=3 categories.
A search for supersymmetric partners of top quarks decaying as $\tilde{t}_1\to c\tilde\chi^0_1$ and supersymmetric partners of charm quarks decaying as $\tilde{c}_1\to c\tilde\chi^0_1$, where $\tilde\chi^0_1$ is the lightest neutralino, is presented. The search uses 36.1 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$ $pp$ collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider and is performed in final states with jets identified as containing charm hadrons. Assuming a 100% branching ratio to $c\tilde\chi^0_1$, top and charm squarks with masses up to 850 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level for a massless lightest neutralino. For $m_{\tilde{t}_1,\tilde{c}_1}-m_{\tilde\chi^0_1}
Acceptance for best expected CLS SR in the $\tilde{t}_1/\tilde{c}_1-\tilde{\chi}_1^0$ mass plane.
Acceptance for SR1 in the $\tilde{t}_1/\tilde{c}_1-\tilde{\chi}_1^0$ mass plane.
Acceptance for SR1 in the $\tilde{t}_1/\tilde{c}_1-\tilde{\chi}_1^0$ mass plane.
A search for Higgs boson pair production in the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ final state is carried out with up to 36.1 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of LHC proton--proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. Three benchmark signals are studied: a spin-2 graviton decaying into a Higgs boson pair, a scalar resonance decaying into a Higgs boson pair, and Standard Model non-resonant Higgs boson pair production. Two analyses are carried out, each implementing a particular technique for the event reconstruction that targets Higgs bosons reconstructed as pairs of jets or single boosted jets. The resonance mass range covered is 260--3000 GeV. The analyses are statistically combined and upper limits on the production cross section of Higgs boson pairs times branching ratio to $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ are set in each model. No significant excess is observed; the largest deviation of data over prediction is found at a mass of 280 GeV, corresponding to 2.3 standard deviations globally. The observed 95% confidence level upper limit on the non-resonant production is 13 times the Standard Model prediction.
The observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the narrow-width scalar.
The observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the bulk Randall-Sundrum model with $\frac{k}{\overline{M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}} = 1$.
The observed and expected 95% CL upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the bulk Randall-Sundrum model with $\frac{k}{\overline{M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}} = 2$.
Many extensions of the Standard Model predict new resonances decaying to a $Z$, $W$, or Higgs boson and a photon. This paper presents a search for such resonances produced in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ $\mathrm{TeV}$ using a dataset with an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The $Z/W/H$ bosons are identified through their decays to hadrons. The data are found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectation in the entire investigated mass range. Upper limits are set on the production cross section times branching fraction for resonance decays to $Z/W+\gamma$ in the mass range from 1.0 to 6.8 $\mathrm{TeV}$, and for the first time into $H+\gamma$ in the mass range from 1.0 to 3.0 $\mathrm{TeV}$.
Efficiencies for gg->X(J=0)->Zgamma signal events to pass the category selections as a function of the resonance mass.
Efficiencies for qqbar->X(J=2)->Zgamma signal events to pass the category selections as a function of the resonance mass.
Efficiencies for gg->X(J=2)->Zgamma signal events to pass the category selections as a function of the resonance mass.
A search for pair production of the supersymmetric partners of the Higgs boson (higgsinos $\tilde{H}$) in gauge-mediated scenarios is reported. Each higgsino is assumed to decay to a Higgs boson and a gravitino. Two complementary analyses, targeting high- and low-mass signals, are performed to maximize sensitivity. The two analyses utilize LHC $pp$ collision data at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, the former with an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ and the latter with 24.3 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. The search is performed in events containing missing transverse momentum and several energetic jets, at least three of which must be identified as $b$-quark jets. No significant excess is found above the predicted background. Limits on the cross-section are set as a function of the mass of the $\tilde{H}$ in simplified models assuming production via mass-degenerate higgsinos decaying to a Higgs boson and a gravitino. Higgsinos with masses between 130 and 230 GeV and between 290 and 880 GeV are excluded at the 95% confidence level. Interpretations of the limits in terms of the branching ratio of the higgsino to a $Z$ boson or a Higgs boson are also presented, and a 45% branching ratio to a Higgs boson is excluded for $m_{\tilde{H}} \approx 400$ GeV.
Distribution of m(h1) for events passing the preselection criteria of the high-mass analysis.
Distribution of effective mass for events passing the preselection criteria of the high-mass analysis.
Exclusion limits on higgsino pair production. The results of the low-mass analysis are used below m(higgsino) = 300 GeV, while those of the high-mass analysis are used above. The figure shows the observed and expected 95% upper limits on the higgsino pair production cross-section as a function of m(higgsino).
A search for high-mass resonances decaying to $\tau\nu$ using proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV produced by the Large Hadron Collider is presented. Only $\tau$-lepton decays with hadrons in the final state are considered. The data were recorded with the ATLAS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$. No statistically significant excess above the Standard Model expectation is observed; model-independent upper limits are set on the visible $\tau\nu$ production cross section. Heavy $W^{\prime}$ bosons with masses less than 3.7 TeV in the Sequential Standard Model and masses less than 2.2-3.8 TeV depending on the coupling in the non-universal G(221) model are excluded at the 95% credibility level.
Observed and predicted $m_{\rm T}$ distributions including SSM and NU (cot$\phi$ = 5.5) $W^{\prime}$ signals with masses of 3 TeV. Please note that in the paper figure the bin content is divided by the bin width, but this is not done in the HepData table.
Observed and predicted $m_{\rm T}$ distributions including SSM and NU (cot$\phi$ = 5.5) $W^{\prime}$ signals with masses of 3 TeV. Please note that in the paper figure the bin content is divided by the bin width, but this is not done in the HepData table.
Observed and predicted $m_{\rm T}$ distributions including SSM and NU (cot$\phi$ = 5.5) $W^{\prime}$ signals with masses of 3 TeV. Please note that in the paper figure the bin content is divided by the bin width, but this is not done in the HepData table. The table also contains each background contribution to the Standard Model expectation separately with their statistical uncertainties.
A search is presented for photonic signatures, motivated by generalized models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. This search makes use of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC, and it explores models dominated by both strong and electroweak production of supersymmetric partner states. Experimental signatures incorporating an isolated photon and significant missing transverse momentum are explored. These signatures include events with an additional photon or additional jet activity not associated with any specific underlying quark flavor. No significant excess of events is observed above the Standard Model prediction, and 95% confidence-level upper limits of between 0.083 fb and 0.32 fb are set on the visible cross section of contributions from physics beyond the Standard Model. These results are interpreted in terms of lower limits on the masses of gluinos, squarks, and gauginos in the context of generalized models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry, which reach as high as 2.3 TeV for strongly produced and 1.3 TeV for weakly produced supersymmetric partner pairs.
Distribution of the total visible transverse energy $H_{\mathrm{T}}$ for selected diphoton events, after requiring $\Delta\phi_{\mathrm{min}} (\mathrm{jet}, E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}) > 0.5$ but before application of a requirement on $E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}}$ and $\Delta\phi_{\mathrm{min}} (\gamma, E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}})$ ($\gamma\gamma$ pre-selection). Also shown are the expected $H_{\mathrm{T}}$ distributions of contributing SM processes as well as those for two points each in the parameter spaces of the gluino-bino and wino-bino GGM models (mass values in GeV). Events outside the range of the displayed region are included in the highest-value bin.
Distribution of $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ for the sample satisfying all $\mathrm{SR}^{\gamma j}_{L}$ selection criteria except the $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ requirement itself, but with a relaxed requirement of $E_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} > 100$ GeV. Also shown are the expected $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ distributions of contributing SM processes as well as those for two points in the $m_{\tilde{g}}$-$m_{\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}}$ parameter space of the GGM model relevant to the photon+jets analysis (mass values in GeV). The value of the gluino mass arises from the choice $M_3 = 1900$ GeV, while the values of the $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1}$ mass arise from the choices $\mu = 400$ and $\mu = 600$ GeV, combined with the constraint that the branching fraction of $\tilde{\chi}^{0}_{1} \to \gamma\tilde{G}$ be 50%. The vertical dashed line and left-pointing arrow shows the region of the $R_{\mathrm{T}}^{4}$ observable selected for inclusion in $\mathrm{SR}^{\gamma j}_{L}$. Uncertainties are shown as hatched bands for the various expected sources of SM background (statistical only) and as error bars for data. The lower panels show the ratio of the data to the SM prediction.
Comparisons between expected and observed content of the validation and signal regions for the diphoton analysis. The uncertainties in the numbers of expected events are the combined statistical and systematic uncertainties. The lower panel shows the pull (difference between observed and expected event counts normalized by the uncertainty) for each region.
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