This paper presents a search for pair production of higgsinos, the supersymmetric partners of the Higgs bosons, in scenarios with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. Each higgsino is assumed to decay into a Higgs boson and a nearly massless gravitino. The search targets events where each Higgs boson decays into $b\bar{b}$, leading to a reconstructed final state with at least three energetic $b$-jets and This paper presents a search for pair production of higgsinos, the supersymmetric partners of the Higgs bosons, in scenarios with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. Each higgsino is assumed to decay into a Higgs boson and a nearly massless gravitino. The search targets events where each Higgs boson decays into $b\bar{b}$, leading to a reconstructed final state with at least three energetic $b$-jets and missing transverse momentum. Two complementary analysis channels are used, with each channel specifically targeting either low or high values of the higgsino mass. The low-mass (high-mass) channel exploits 126 (139) fb$^{-1}$ of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV data collected by the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess above the Standard Model prediction is found. At 95% confidence level, masses between 130 GeV and 940 GeV are excluded for higgsinos decaying exclusively into Higgs bosons and gravitinos. Exclusion limits as a function of the higgsino decay branching ratio to a Higgs boson are also reported.
Post-fit SR yields of the high-mass channel. The upper panel shows the observed number of events, as well the post-fit background predictions in each region. The bottom panel shows the ratio of the observed data and the total background prediction. The shaded areas correspond to the total statistical and systematic uncertainties obtained after the fit and described in Section 6.
Post-fit SR yields of the high-mass channel. The upper panel shows the observed number of events, as well the post-fit background predictions in each region. The bottom panel shows the ratio of the observed data and the total background prediction. The shaded areas correspond to the total statistical and systematic uncertainties obtained after the fit and described in Section 6.
Post-fit SR yields of the high-mass channel. The upper panel shows the observed number of events, as well the post-fit background predictions in each region. The bottom panel shows the ratio of the observed data and the total background prediction. The shaded areas correspond to the total statistical and systematic uncertainties obtained after the fit and described in Section 6.
Higgsinos with masses near the electroweak scale can solve the hierarchy problem and provide a dark matter candidate, while detecting them at the LHC remains challenging if their mass splitting is $\mathcal{O}(1 \text{GeV})$. This Letter presents a novel search for nearly mass-degenerate Higgsinos in events with an energetic jet, missing transverse momentum, and a low-momentum track with a significant transverse impact parameter using 140 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment. For the first time since LEP, a range of mass splittings between the lightest charged and neutral Higgsinos from $0.3$ GeV to $0.9$ GeV is excluded at 95$\%$ confidence level, with a maximum reach of approximately $170$ GeV in the Higgsino mass.
Number of expected and observed data events in the SR (top), and the model-independent upper limits obtained from their consistency (bottom). The symbol $\tau_{\ell}$ ($\tau_{h}$) refers to fully-leptonic (hadron-involved) tau decays. The Others category includes contributions from minor background processes including $t\bar{t}$, single-top and diboson. The individual uncertainties can be correlated and do not necessarily sum up in quadrature to the total uncertainty. The bottom section shows the observed 95% CL upper limits on the visible cross-section ($\langle\epsilon\sigma\rangle_{\mathrm{obs}}^{95}$), on the number of generic signal events ($S_{\mathrm{obs}}^{95}$) as well as the expected limit ($S_{\mathrm{exp}}^{95}$) given the expected number (and $\pm 1\sigma$ deviations from the expectation) of background events.
Expected (dashed black line) and observed (solid red line) 95% CL exclusion limits on the higgsino simplified model being considered. These are shown with $\pm 1\sigma_{\mathrm{exp}}$ (yellow band) from experimental systematic and statistical uncertainties, and with $\pm 1\sigma_{\mathrm{theory}}^{\mathrm{SUSY}}$ (red dotted lines) from signal cross-section uncertainties, respectively. The limits set by the latest ATLAS searches using the soft lepton and disappearing track signatures are illustrated by the blue and green regions, respectively, while the limit imposed by the LEP experiments is shown in gray. The dot-dashed gray line indicates the predicted mass-splitting for the pure higgsino scenario.
Expected (dashed black line) and observed (solid red line) 95% CL exclusion limits on the higgsino simplified model being considered. These are shown with $\pm 1\sigma_{\mathrm{exp}}$ (yellow band) from experimental systematic and statistical uncertainties, and with $\pm 1\sigma_{\mathrm{theory}}^{\mathrm{SUSY}}$ (red dotted lines) from signal cross-section uncertainties, respectively. The limits set by the latest ATLAS searches using the soft lepton and disappearing track signatures are illustrated by the blue and green regions, respectively, while the limit imposed by the LEP experiments is shown in gray. The dot-dashed gray line indicates the predicted mass-splitting for the pure higgsino scenario.
A search for long-lived particles decaying to displaced, nonprompt jets and missing transverse momentum is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC in 2016-2018. Candidate signal events containing nonprompt jets are identified using the timing capabilities of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter. The results of the search are consistent with the background prediction and are interpreted using a gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking reference model with a gluino next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle. In this model, gluino masses up to 2100, 2500, and 1900 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level for proper decay lengths of 0.3, 1, and 100 m, respectively. These are the best limits to date for such massive gluinos with proper decay lengths greater than $\sim$0.5 m.
The timing distribution of the background sources predicted to contribute to the signal region, compared to those for a representative signal model. The time is defined by the jet in the event with the largest $t_{\mathrm{jet}}$ passing the relevant selection. The distributions for the major backgrounds are taken from control regions and normalized to the predictions. The observed data is shown by the black points. No events are observed in data for $t_{\mathrm{jet}} > 3\,$ns (indicated with a vertical black line).
The product of the acceptance and efficiency in the $c\tau_{0}$ vs. $m_{\tilde{g}}$ plane for the GMSB model, after all requirements.
The observed upper limits at $95\%$ CL for the gluino pair production cross section in the GMSB model, shown in the plane of $m_{\tilde{g}}$ and $c\tau_{0}$. A branching fraction of $100\%$ for the gluino decay to a gluon and a gravitino is assumed. The area below the thick black curve represents the observed exclusion region, while the dashed red lines indicate the expected limits and their $\pm 1$ standard deviation ranges. The thin black lines show the effect of the theoretical uncertainties on the signal cross section.
A search for high-mass dielectron and dimuon resonances in the mass range of 250 GeV to 6 TeV is presented. The data were recorded by the ATLAS experiment in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=$13 TeV during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. A functional form is fitted to the dilepton invariant-mass distribution to model the contribution from background processes, and a generic signal shape is used to determine the significance of observed deviations from this background estimate. No significant deviation is observed and upper limits are placed at the 95% confidence level on the fiducial cross-section times branching ratio for various resonance width hypotheses. The derived limits are shown to be applicable to spin-0, spin-1 and spin-2 signal hypotheses. For a set of benchmark models, the limits are converted into lower limits on the resonance mass and reach 4.5 TeV for the E6-motivated $Z^\prime_\psi$ boson. Also presented are limits on Heavy Vector Triplet model couplings.
Distribution of the dielectron invariant mass for events passing the full selection.
Distribution of the dimuon invariant mass for events passing the full selection.
Expected upper limits at 95% CL on the fiducial cross-section times branching ratio as a function of pole mass for the zero-width, 0.5%, 1.2%, 3%, 6% and 10% relative width signals for the combined dilepton channel.
A search is presented for charged Higgs bosons in the H$^{\pm}$ $\to$ $\tau^{\pm}\nu_\tau$ decay mode in the hadronic final state and in final states with an electron or muon. The search is based on proton-proton collision data recorded by the CMS experiment in 2016 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. The results agree with the background expectation from the standard model. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section times branching fraction to $\tau^{\pm}\nu_\tau$ for an H$^{\pm}$ in the mass range of 80 GeV to 3 TeV, including the region near the top quark mass. The observed limit ranges from 6 pb at 80 GeV to 5 fb at 3 TeV. The limits are interpreted in the context of the minimal supersymmetric standard model $m_\mathrm{h}^\mathrm{mod-}$ scenario.
The 95% CL upper limit on the production cross section for the Charged Higgs boson decaying into a tau-nu pair.
Several models of physics beyond the Standard Model predict the existence of dark photons, light neutral particles decaying into collimated leptons or light hadrons. This paper presents a search for long-lived dark photons produced from the decay of a Higgs boson or a heavy scalar boson and decaying into displaced collimated Standard Model fermions. The search uses data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ collected in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV recorded in 2015-2016 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed number of events is consistent with the expected background, and limits on the production cross section times branching fraction as a function of the proper decay length of the dark photon are reported. A cross section times branching fraction above 4 pb is excluded for a Higgs boson decaying into two dark photons for dark-photon decay lengths between 1.5 mm and 307 mm.
Upper limits at 95% CL on the cross section times branching fraction for the process $H \to 2\gamma_d + X$ with $m_H$ = 125 GeV in the muon-muon final state.
Upper limits at 95% CL on the cross section times branching fraction for the process $H \to 4\gamma_d + X$ with $m_H$ = 125 GeV in the muon-muon final state.
Upper limits at 95% CL on the cross section times branching fraction for the process $H \to 2\gamma_d + X$ with $m_H$ = 800 GeV in the muon-muon final state.
A search for new resonances decaying into a pair of jets is reported using the dataset of proton-proton collisions recorded at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider between 2015 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The distribution of the invariant mass of the two leading jets is examined for local excesses above a data-derived estimate of the Standard Model background. In addition to an inclusive dijet search, events with jets identified as containing $b$-hadrons are examined specifically. No significant excess of events above the smoothly falling background spectra is observed. The results are used to set cross-section upper limits at 95% confidence level on a range of new physics scenarios. Model-independent limits on Gaussian-shaped signals are also reported. The analysis looking at jets containing $b$-hadrons benefits from improvements in the jet flavour identification at high transverse momentum, which increases its sensitivity relative to the previous analysis beyond that expected from the higher integrated luminosity.
The probability of an event to pass the b-tagging requirement after the rest of the event selection, shown as a function of the resonance mass and for the 1b and 2b analysis categories.
Dijet invariant mass distribution for the inclusive category with |y*| < 0.6.
Dijet invariant mass distribution for the inclusive category with |y*| < 1.2.
This letter presents a combination of searches for Higgs boson pair production using up to 36.1 fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The combination is performed using six analyses searching for Higgs boson pairs decaying into the bbbb, bbWW, bb$\tau\tau$, WWWW, bb$\gamma \gamma$ and WW$\gamma\gamma$ final states. Results are presented for non-resonant and resonant Higgs boson pair production modes. No statistically significant excess in data above the Standard Model predictions is found. The combined observed (expected) limit at 95% confidence level on the non-resonant Higgs boson pair production cross-section is 6.9 (10) times the predicted Standard Model cross-section. Limits are also set on the ratio ($ \kappa_{\lambda} $) of the Higgs boson self-coupling to its Standard Model value. This ratio is constrained at 95% confidence level in observation (expectation) to $ -5.0 < \kappa_{\lambda} <12.0 $ ($ -5.8 < \kappa_{\lambda} <12.0 $). In addition, limits are set on the production of narrow scalar resonances and spin-2 Kaluza-Klein Randall-Sundrum gravitons. Exclusion regions are also provided in the parameter space of the habemus Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and the Electroweak Singlet Model.
Signal acceptance times efficiency as a function of κ<sub>λ</sub> for the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$, $b\bar{b}\tau^{+}\tau^{-}$ and $b\bar{b}\gamma\gamma$ analyses. The $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ curve is the average of the 2015 and 2016 curves weighted by the integrated luminosities of the two datasets
Upper limits at 95% CL on the cross-section of the ggF non-resonant SM HH production as a function of κ<sub>λ</sub>. The observed (expected) limits are shown as solid (dashed) lines. In the $b\bar{b}\gamma\gamma$ final state, the observed and expected limits coincide. The $\pm 1 \sigma$ and $\pm 2\sigma$ bands are only shown for the combined expected limit. The theoretical prediction of the cross-section as a function of κ<sub>λ</sub> is also shown.
Upper limits at 95% CL on the cross-section of the resonant Higgs boson pair production for a spin-0 heavy scalar
This paper reports on a search for an extended scalar sector of the standard model, where a new CP-even (odd) boson decays to a Z boson and a lighter CP-odd (even) boson, and the latter further decays to a b quark pair. The Z boson is reconstructed via its decays to electron or muon pairs. The analysed data were recorded in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC during 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. Data and predictions from the standard model are in agreement within the uncertainties. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section times branching fraction, with masses of the new bosons up to 1000 GeV. The results are interpreted in the context of the two-Higgs-doublet model.
The dijet mass distribution in data and simulated background events after requiring all the analysis selections, for μμ + ee events. The various signal hypotheses displayed have been scaled to a cross section of 1 pb for display purposes.
The llbb mass distribution in data and simulated background events after requiring all the analysis selections, for μμ + ee events. The various signal hypotheses displayed have been scaled to a cross section of 1 pb for display purposes.
The rho distributions for the same-flavour category events corresponding to a signal hypothesis with mH = 261 GeV and mA = 150 GeV. The signal is normalised to its theoretical cross section.
A data sample of events from proton-proton collisions with at least two jets, and two isolated same-sign or three or more charged leptons, is studied in a search for signatures of new physics phenomena. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$ at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected in 2016-2018 by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The search is performed using a total of 168 signal regions defined using several kinematic variables. The properties of the events are found to be consistent with the expectations from standard model processes. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are set on cross sections for the pair production of gluinos or squarks for various decay scenarios in the context of supersymmetric models conserving or violating R parity. The observed lower mass limits are as large as 2.1 TeV for gluinos and 0.9 TeV for top and bottom squarks. To facilitate reinterpretations, model-independent limits are provided in a set of simplified signal regions.
Exclusion regions at 95% CL in the $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0}$ versus $m_{\tilde{g}}$ plane for the T1tttt (upper left) and T5ttbbWW (upper right) models, with off-shell third-generation squarks, and the T5tttt (lower left) and T5ttcc (lower right) models, with on-shell third-generation squarks. For the T5ttbbWW model, $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^\pm} = m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} + 5 GeV$, for the T5tttt model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = m_t$, and for the T5ttcc model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = 20 GeV$ and the decay proceeds through $\tilde{t} \to c \tilde{\chi}_1^0$. The right-hand side color scale indicates the excluded cross section values for a given point in the SUSY particle mass plane. The solid black curves represent the observed exclusion limits assuming the approximate-NNLO+NNLL cross sections (thick line), or their variations of $\pm 1$ standard deviations (s.d.) (thin lines). The dashed red curves show the expected limits with the corresponding $\pm 1$ s.d. and $\pm 2$ s.d. uncertainties. Excluded regions are to the left and below the limit curves.
Exclusion regions at 95% CL in the $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0}$ versus $m_{\tilde{g}}$ plane for the T1tttt (upper left) and T5ttbbWW (upper right) models, with off-shell third-generation squarks, and the T5tttt (lower left) and T5ttcc (lower right) models, with on-shell third-generation squarks. For the T5ttbbWW model, $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^\pm} = m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} + 5 GeV$, for the T5tttt model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = m_t$, and for the T5ttcc model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = 20 GeV$ and the decay proceeds through $\tilde{t} \to c \tilde{\chi}_1^0$. The right-hand side color scale indicates the excluded cross section values for a given point in the SUSY particle mass plane. The solid black curves represent the observed exclusion limits assuming the approximate-NNLO+NNLL cross sections (thick line), or their variations of $\pm 1$ standard deviations (s.d.) (thin lines). The dashed red curves show the expected limits with the corresponding $\pm 1$ s.d. and $\pm 2$ s.d. uncertainties. Excluded regions are to the left and below the limit curves.
Exclusion regions at 95% CL in the $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0}$ versus $m_{\tilde{g}}$ plane for the T1tttt (upper left) and T5ttbbWW (upper right) models, with off-shell third-generation squarks, and the T5tttt (lower left) and T5ttcc (lower right) models, with on-shell third-generation squarks. For the T5ttbbWW model, $m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^\pm} = m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} + 5 GeV$, for the T5tttt model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = m_t$, and for the T5ttcc model, $m_{\tilde{t}} - m_{\tilde{\chi}_1^0} = 20 GeV$ and the decay proceeds through $\tilde{t} \to c \tilde{\chi}_1^0$. The right-hand side color scale indicates the excluded cross section values for a given point in the SUSY particle mass plane. The solid black curves represent the observed exclusion limits assuming the approximate-NNLO+NNLL cross sections (thick line), or their variations of $\pm 1$ standard deviations (s.d.) (thin lines). The dashed red curves show the expected limits with the corresponding $\pm 1$ s.d. and $\pm 2$ s.d. uncertainties. Excluded regions are to the left and below the limit curves.