Inclusive isolated-photon production in $pp$ collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV is studied with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using a data set with an integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb$^{-1}$. The cross section is measured as a function of the photon transverse energy above 125 GeV in different regions of photon pseudorapidity. Next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD and Monte Carlo event-generator predictions are compared to the cross-section measurements and provide an adequate description of the data.
Measured cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $|\eta^{\gamma}|<0.6$.
Measured cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $0.6<|\eta^{\gamma}|<1.37$.
Measured cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon production as a function of $E_{\rm T}^{\gamma}$ for $1.56<|\eta^{\gamma}|<1.81$.
A test of lepton flavor universality in B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}\mu^+\mu^-$ and B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}$e$^+$e$^-$ decays, as well as a measurement of differential and integrated branching fractions of a nonresonant B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}\mu^+\mu^-$ decay are presented. The analysis is made possible by a dedicated data set of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded in 2018, by the CMS experiment at the LHC, using a special high-rate data stream designed for collecting about 10 billion unbiased b hadron decays. The ratio of the branching fractions $\mathcal{B}$(B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}\mu^+\mu^-$) to $\mathcal{B}$(B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}$e$^+$e$^-$) is determined from the measured double ratio $R$(K) of these decays to the respective branching fractions of the B$^\pm$$\to$ J/$\psi$K$^\pm$ with J/$\psi$$\to$$\mu^+\mu^-$ and e$^+$e$^-$ decays, which allow for significant cancellation of systematic uncertainties. The ratio $R$(K) is measured in the range 1.1 $\lt$$q^2$$\lt$ 6.0 GeV$^2$, where $q$ is the invariant mass of the lepton pair, and is found to be $R$(K) = 0.78 $^{+0.47}_{-0.23}$, in agreement with the standard model expectation $R$(K) $\approx$ 1. This measurement is limited by the statistical precision of the electron channel. The integrated branching fraction in the same $q^2$ range, $\mathcal{B}$(B$^{\pm}$$\to$ K$^{\pm}\mu^+\mu^-$) = (12.42 $\pm$ 0.68) $\times$ 10$^{-8}$, is consistent with the present world-average value and has a comparable precision.
The differential $\text{B}^+ \to \text{K}^+\mu^+\mu^-$ branching fraction measured in the individual $q^2$ bins. The uncertainties in the yields are statistical uncertainties from the fit, while the branching fraction uncertainties include both the statistical and systematic components.
Differential branching fraction $d\mathcal{B}/dq^2$, with theoretical predictions obtained with the HEPFiT, SuperIso, Flavio, and EOS packages. The HEPFiT predictions are available only for $q^2 < 8\ \mathrm{GeV}^2$.
Relative uncertainties in the differential branching fraction measurement of $\mathrm{B}^+\to\mathrm{K}^+\mu^+\mu^-$ per $q^2$ bin.
Measurements are presented of inclusive and differential cross sections for Z boson associated production of top quark pairs ($\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$Z) and single top quarks (tZq or tWZ). The data were recorded in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. Events with three or more leptons, electrons or muons, are selected and a multiclass deep neural network is used to separate three event categories, the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$Z and tWZ processes, the tZq process, and the backgrounds. A profile likelihood approach is used to unfold the differential cross sections, to account for systematic uncertainties, and to determine the correlations between the two signal categories in one global fit. The inclusive cross sections for a dilepton invariant mass between 70 and 110 GeV are measured to be 1.14 $\pm$ 0.07 pb for the sum of $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$Z and tWZ, and 0.81 $\pm$ 0.10 pb for tZq, in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Differential cross section of ttZ+tWZ as a function of the transverse momentum of the Z boson. The overflow is included in the last bin.
Differential cross section of tZq as a function of the transverse momentum of the Z boson. The overflow is included in the last bin.
Differential cross section of ttZ+tWZ as a function of the transverse momentum of the lepton coming from the W boson decay. The overflow is included in the last bin.
The discovery of the Higgs boson has led to new possible signatures for heavy resonance searches at the LHC. Since then, search channels including at least one Higgs boson plus another particle have formed an important part of the program of new physics searches. In this report, the status of these searches by the CMS Collaboration is reviewed. Searches are discussed for resonances decaying to two Higgs bosons, a Higgs and a vector boson, or a Higgs boson and another new resonance. All analyses use proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV in the years 2016-2018. A combination of the results of these searches is presented together with constraints on different beyond-the-standard model scenarios, including scenarios with extended Higgs sectors, heavy vector bosons and extra dimensions. Studies are shown for the first time by CMS on the validity of the narrow-width approximation in searches for the resonant production of a pair of Higgs bosons. The potential for a discovery at the High Luminosity LHC is also discussed.
Upper limits on σB for a spin-0 resonance X obtained from the combination of the individual channels. The 68 and 95% CL intervals on the expected upper limits are shown as colored bands.
Upper limits on σB for a spin-2 resonance G obtained from the combination of the individual channels. The 68 and 95% CL intervals on the expected upper limits are shown as colored bands.
Upper limits at 95% CL on $\sigma$B(pp→X→Y(bb)H) for combination as a function of m$_Y$.
A search is presented for an extended Higgs sector with two new particles, X and $\phi$, in the process $X \to\phi\phi\to(\gamma\gamma)(\gamma\gamma)$. Novel neural networks classify events with diphotons that are merged and determine the diphoton masses. The search uses LHC proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the CMS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. No evidence of such resonances is seen. Upper limits are set on the production cross section for $m_X$ between 300 and 3000 GeV and $m_\phi / m_X$ between 0.5 and 2.5%, representing the most sensitive search in this channel.
Observed differential $m_{\Gamma\Gamma}$ mass spectrum for $0.44 < \alpha < 0.49$%, where $\alpha = m_\phi/m_X$. The cross-section is calculated by dividing the event yield by the bin width and luminosity.
Observed differential $m_{\Gamma\Gamma}$ mass spectrum for 0.3$ < \alpha < $0.35%, where $\alpha = m_\phi/m_X$. The cross-section is calculated by dividing the event yield by the bin width and luminosity.
Observed differential $m_{\Gamma\Gamma}$ mass spectrum for 0.35$ < \alpha < $0.4%, where $\alpha = m_\phi/m_X$. The cross-section is calculated by dividing the event yield by the bin width and luminosity.
A search for dark matter (DM) particles produced in association with bottom quarks is presented. The analysis uses proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The search is performed in the final state with large missing transverse momentum and a pair of jets originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of data is observed with respect to the standard model expectation. Results are interpreted in the context of a type-II two-Higgs-doublet model with an additional light pseudoscalar (2HDM+a). An upper limit is set on the mass of the lighter pseudoscalar, excluding masses up to 260 GeV at 95% confidence level. Sensitivity to the parameter space with the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs doublets, $\tan\beta$, greater than 15 is achieved, capitalizing on the enhancement of couplings between pseudoscalars and bottom quarks with high $\tan\beta$.
Normalized (to unity) shape of generator-level $p_{T}^{miss}$ distribution for two illustrative lighter pseudoscalar masses $m_a$ (left).
Normalized (to unity) shape of generator-level $p_{T}^{miss}$ distribution for five illustrative DM masses $m_{\chi}$ (right).
QCD background contribution in the QCD CR (black and pink dots) in the 2b category using 2017 data. The exponential is fitted in the range min$(\Delta\phi({jet,\vec{p}_T^{\;miss}})<0.3$, checked to fit well in the range $0.3<\Delta\phi({jet,\vec{p}_T^{\;miss}})<0.5$, and extrapolated to the SRs for $\Delta\phi({jet,\vec{p}_T^{\;miss}})>0.5$. The process is performed for 1b as well as 2b category for all years.
A search for long-lived heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$ collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC is presented. Events are selected with a charged lepton originating from the primary vertex associated with the proton-proton interaction, as well as a second charged lepton and a hadronic jet associated with a secondary vertex that corresponds to the semileptonic decay of a long-lived HNL. No excess of events above the standard model expectation is observed. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are evaluated for HNLs that mix with electron and/or muon neutrinos. Limits are presented in the mass range of 1-16.5 GeV, with excluded square mixing parameter values reaching as low as 2 $\times$ 10$^{-7}$. For masses above 11 GeV, the presented limits exceed all previous results in the semileptonic decay channel, and for some of the considered scenarios are the strongest to date.
The 95% CL limits on $|V_{Ne}|^2$ as a function of the HNL mass for a Majorana HNL. Values of $-1$ indicate that no limit is available for the mass point.
The 95% CL limits on $|V_{N\mu}|^2$ as a function of the HNL mass for a Majorana HNL. Values of $-1$ indicate that no limit is available for the mass point.
The 95% CL limits on mixed coupling as a function of the HNL mass for a Majorana HNL. Values of $-1$ indicate that no limit is available for the mass point.
The first search for the Z boson decay to $\tau\tau\mu\mu$ at the CERN LHC is presented, based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The data are compatible with the predicted background. For the first time, an upper limit at the 95% confidence level of 6.9 times the standard model expectation is placed on the ratio of the Z $\to$ $\tau\tau\mu\mu$ to Z $\to$ 4$\mu$ branching fractions. Limits are also placed on the six flavor-conserving four-lepton effective-field-theory operators involving two muons and two tau leptons, for the first time testing all such operators.
Distribution of $m_{4\mu}$ after the maximum likelihood fit of the background-only model (stacked histograms) to the data (black points). The nuisance parameters are set to their post-fit values and the signal (black dotted line) is overlaid, scaled to the upper limit on its cross section of 6.9 times the SM expectation. The gray shaded areas in both panels correspond to the total uncertainty in the background prediction. The black vertical bars indicate the statistical uncertainty in the data.
Observed limits at the 95% CL on $C_{\mathrm{LL}}^{2233}$ vs. $C_{\mathrm{LR}}^{2332}$ (red) showing the full range.
Observed limits at the 95% CL on $C_{\mathrm{LR}}^{2233}$ vs. $C_{\mathrm{LL}}^{2332}$ (orange) showing the full range.
The first measurement of the inclusive and normalised differential cross sections of single top quark production in association with a W boson in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13.6 TeV is presented. The data were recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2022, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 34.7 fb$^{-1}$. The analysed events contain one muon and one electron in the final state. For the inclusive measurement, multivariate discriminants exploiting the kinematic properties of the events are used to separate the signal from the dominant top quark-antiquark production background. A cross section of 82.3 $\pm$ 2.1 (stat) ${}^{+9.9}_{-9.7}$ (syst) $\pm$ 3.3 (lumi) pb is obtained, consistent with the predictions of the standard model. A fiducial region is defined according to the detector acceptance to perform the differential measurements. The resulting differential distributions are unfolded to particle level and show good agreement with the predictions at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics.
Distribution of the RF output for events in the 1j1b region. The number of observed events (points) and estimated signal and background events (filled histograms) before the maximum likelihood fit are shown. The vertical bars on the points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data, and the hatched band the total uncertainty in the estimated events before the fit. The lower panels display the ratio of the data to the sum of the estimated events (points) before the fit, with the bands giving the corresponding uncertainties.
Distribution of the RF output for events in the 2j1b region. The number of observed events (points) and estimated signal and background events (filled histograms) before the maximum likelihood fit are shown. The vertical bars on the points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data, and the hatched band the total uncertainty in the estimated events before the fit. The lower panels display the ratio of the data to the sum of the estimated events (points) before the fit, with the bands giving the corresponding uncertainties.
Distribution of the Subleading jet $p_{T}$ for events in the 2j2b region. The number of observed events (points) and estimated signal and background events (filled histograms) before the maximum likelihood fit are shown. The vertical bars on the points represent the statistical uncertainty in the data, and the hatched band the total uncertainty in the estimated events before the fit. The lower panels display the ratio of the data to the sum of the estimated events (points) before the fit, with the bands giving the corresponding uncertainties.
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, delivering proton-proton collisions at much higher energies and far higher luminosities than previous machines, has enabled a comprehensive programme of measurements of the standard model (SM) processes by the CMS experiment. These unprecedented capabilities facilitate precise measurements of the properties of a wide array of processes, the most fundamental being cross sections. The discovery of the Higgs boson and the measurement of its mass became the keystone of the SM. Knowledge of the mass of the Higgs boson allows precision comparisons of the predictions of the SM with the corresponding measurements. These measurements span the range from one of the most copious SM processes, the total inelastic cross section for proton-proton interactions, to the rarest ones, such as Higgs boson pair production. They cover the production of Higgs bosons, top quarks, single and multibosons, and hadronic jets. Associated parameters, such as coupling constants, are also measured. These cross section measurements can be pictured as a descending stairway, on which the lowest steps represent the rarest processes allowed by the SM, some never seen before.
Cross sections of selected high-energy processes measured by the CMS experiment. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% CL upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour.
Summary of production cross section measurements involving top quarks. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% C.L. upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour.
Summary of measurements of jet cross sections and electroweak processes in association with jets. Measurements performed at different LHC pp collision energies are marked by unique symbols and the coloured bands indicate the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty of the measurement. Grey bands indicate the uncertainty of the corresponding SM theory predictions. Shaded hashed bars indicate the excluded cross section region for a production process with the measured 95% C.L. upper limit on the process indicated by the solid line of the same colour. Versions of these plots in pdf format with links to the publications can be found at https://cms-results.web.cern.ch/cms-results/public-results/publications/SMP-23-004/.