A search is presented for decays of Z and Higgs bosons to a J / ψ meson and a photon, with the subsequent decay of the J / ψ to μ + μ - . The analysis uses data from proton-proton collisions with an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 at s = 13 TeV collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The observed limit on the Z → J / ψ γ decay branching fraction, assuming that the J / ψ meson is produced unpolarized, is 1.4 × 10 - 6 at 95% confidence level, which corresponds to a rate higher than expected in the standard model by a factor of 15. For extreme-polarization scenarios, the observed limit changes from - 13.6 to + 8.6 % with respect to the unpolarized scenario. The observed upper limit on the branching fraction for H → J / ψ γ where the J / ψ meson is assumed to be transversely polarized is 7.6 × 10 - 4 , a factor of 260 larger than the standard model prediction. The results for the Higgs boson are combined with previous data from proton-proton collisions at s = 8 TeV to produce an observed upper limit on the branching fraction for H → J / ψ γ that is a factor of 220 larger than the standard model value.
Measurements of normalized differential cross sections as functions of the multiplicity and kinematic variables of charged-particle tracks from the underlying event in top quark and antiquark pair production are presented. The measurements are performed in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 Te , and are based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . Events containing one electron, one muon, and two jets from the hadronization and fragmentation of b quarks are used. These measurements characterize, for the first time, properties of the underlying event in top quark pair production and show no deviation from the universality hypothesis at energy scales typically above twice the top quark mass.
A search for pair production of heavy scalar leptoquarks (LQs), each decaying into a top quark and a τ lepton, is presented. The search considers final states with an electron or a muon, one or two τ leptons that decayed to hadrons, and additional jets. The data were collected in 2016 in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te with the CMS detector at the LHC, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . No evidence for pair production of LQs is found. Assuming a branching fraction of unity for the decay LQ → t τ , upper limits on the production cross section are set as a function of LQ mass, excluding masses below 900 Ge at 95% confidence level. These results provide the most stringent limits to date on the production of scalar LQs that decay to a top quark and a τ lepton.
Pseudorapidity, transverse momentum, and multiplicity distributions are measured in the pseudorapidity range | η | < 2.4 for charged particles with transverse momenta satisfying p T > 0.5 GeV in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s = 13 TeV . Measurements are presented in three different event categories. The most inclusive of the categories corresponds to an inelastic p p data set, while the other two categories are exclusive subsets of the inelastic sample that are either enhanced or depleted in single diffractive dissociation events. The measurements are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo event generators used to describe high-energy hadronic interactions in collider and cosmic-ray physics.
A measurement is presented of the effective leptonic weak mixing angle ( sin 2 θ eff ℓ ) using the forward-backward asymmetry of Drell-Yan lepton pairs ( μ μ and e e ) produced in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 TeV at the CMS experiment of the LHC. The data correspond to integrated luminosities of 18.8 and 19.6 fb - 1 in the dimuon and dielectron channels, respectively, containing 8.2 million dimuon and 4.9 million dielectron events. With more events and new analysis techniques, including constraints obtained on the parton distribution functions from the measured forward-backward asymmetry, the statistical and systematic uncertainties are significantly reduced relative to previous CMS measurements. The extracted value of sin 2 θ eff ℓ from the combined dilepton data is sin 2 θ eff ℓ = 0.23101 ± 0.00036 (stat) ± 0.00018 (syst) ± 0.00016 (theo) ± 0.00031 (parton distributions in proton) = 0.23101 ± 0.00053 .
Results are reported from a search for the pair production of top squarks, the supersymmetric partners of top quarks, in final states with jets and missing transverse momentum. The data sample used in this search was collected by the CMS detector and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 18.9[Formula: see text] of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8[Formula: see text] produced by the LHC. The search features novel background suppression and prediction methods, including a dedicated top quark pair reconstruction algorithm. The data are found to be in agreement with the predicted backgrounds. Exclusion limits are set in simplified supersymmetry models with the top squark decaying to jets and an undetected neutralino, either through a top quark or through a bottom quark and chargino. Models with the top squark decaying via a top quark are excluded for top squark masses up to 755[Formula: see text] in the case of neutralino masses below 200[Formula: see text]. For decays via a chargino, top squark masses up to 620[Formula: see text] are excluded, depending on the masses of the chargino and neutralino.
A search for a massive resonance [Formula: see text]decaying into a W and a Higgs boson in the [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) final state is presented. Results are based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7[Formula: see text] of proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. For a high-mass ([Formula: see text]1[Formula: see text]) resonance, the two bottom quarks coming from the Higgs boson decay are reconstructed as a single jet, which can be tagged by placing requirements on its substructure and flavour. Exclusion limits at 95 % confidence level are set on the production cross section of a narrow resonance decaying into WH, as a function of its mass. In the context of a little Higgs model, a lower limit on the [Formula: see text] mass of 1.4[Formula: see text] is set. In a heavy vector triplet model that mimics the properties of composite Higgs models, a lower limit on the [Formula: see text] mass of 1.5[Formula: see text] is set. In the context of this model, the results are combined with related searches to obtain a lower limit on the [Formula: see text] mass of 1.8[Formula: see text], the most restrictive to date for decays to a pair of standard model bosons.
Jet multiplicity distributions in top quark pair ([Formula: see text]) events are measured in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7[Formula: see text]. The measurement is performed in the dilepton decay channels ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]). The absolute and normalized differential cross sections for [Formula: see text] production are measured as a function of the jet multiplicity in the event for different jet transverse momentum thresholds and the kinematic properties of the leading additional jets. The differential [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] cross sections are presented for the first time as a function of the kinematic properties of the leading additional [Formula: see text] jets. Furthermore, the fraction of events without additional jets above a threshold is measured as a function of the transverse momenta of the leading additional jets and the scalar sum of the transverse momenta of all additional jets. The data are compared and found to be consistent with predictions from several perturbative quantum chromodynamics event generators and a next-to-leading order calculation.
A measurement of the cross section for the production of top quark-antiquark pairs ([Formula: see text]) in association with a vector boson V (W or Z) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] is presented. The results are based on a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb[Formula: see text] recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC. The measurement is performed in three leptonic (e and [Formula: see text]) channels: a same-sign dilepton analysis targeting [Formula: see text] events, and trilepton and four-lepton analyses designed for [Formula: see text] events. In the same-sign dilepton channel, the [Formula: see text] cross section is measured as [Formula: see text], corresponding to a significance of 1.6 standard deviations over the background-only hypothesis. Combining the trilepton and four-lepton channels, a direct measurement of the [Formula: see text] cross section, [Formula: see text], is obtained with a significance of 3.1 standard deviations. The measured cross sections are compatible with standard model predictions within their experimental uncertainties. The inclusive [Formula: see text] process is observed with a significance of 3.7 standard deviations from the combination of all three leptonic channels.
A search has been performed for long-lived particles that could have come to rest within the CMS detector, using the time intervals between LHC beam crossings. The existence of such particles could be deduced from observation of their decays via energy deposits in the CMS calorimeter appearing at times that are well separated from any proton-proton collisions. Using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.6[Formula: see text] of 8[Formula: see text] proton-proton collisions, and a search interval corresponding to 281 h of trigger livetime, 10 events are observed, with a background prediction of [Formula: see text] events. Limits are presented at 95 % confidence level on gluino and top squark production, for over 13 orders of magnitude in the mean proper lifetime of the stopped particle. Assuming a cloud model of R-hadron interactions, a gluino with mass [Formula: see text]1000[Formula: see text] and a top squark with mass [Formula: see text]525[Formula: see text] are excluded, for lifetimes between 1 [Formula: see text]s and 1000[Formula: see text]. These results are the most stringent constraints on stopped particles to date.
The production of a Z boson, decaying to two charged leptons, in association with jets in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV is measured. Data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC are used that correspond to an integrated luminosity of 2.19 fb -1 . The cross section is measured as a function of the jet multiplicity and its dependence on the transverse momentum of the Z boson, the jet kinematic variables (transverse momentum and rapidity), the scalar sum of the jet momenta, which quantifies the hadronic activity, and the balance in transverse momentum between the reconstructed jet recoil and the Z boson. The measurements are compared with predictions from four different calculations. The first two merge matrix elements with different parton multiplicities in the final state and parton showering, one of which includes one-loop corrections. The third is a fixed-order calculation with next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy for the process with a Z boson and one parton in the final state. The fourth combines the fully differential next-to-next-to-leading order calculation of the process with no parton in the final state with next-to-next-to-leading logarithm resummation and parton showering.
A search is presented for resonant production of second-generation sleptons ( μ ~ L , ν ~ μ ) via the R-parity-violating coupling λ 211 ' to quarks, in events with two same-sign muons and at least two jets in the final state. The smuon (muon sneutrino) is expected to decay into a muon and a neutralino (chargino), which will then decay into a second muon and at least two jets. The analysis is based on the 2016 data set of proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . No significant deviation is observed with respect to standard model expectations. Upper limits on cross sections, ranging from 0.24 to 730 fb , are derived in the context of two simplified models representing the dominant signal contributions leading to a same-sign muon pair. The cross section limits are translated into coupling limits for a modified constrained minimal supersymmetric model with λ 211 ' as the only nonzero R-parity violating coupling. The results significantly extend restrictions of the parameter space compared with previous searches for similar models.
A search is presented for physics beyond the standard model, based on measurements of dijet angular distributions in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV . The data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . The observed distributions, corrected to particle level, are found to be in agreement with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics that include electroweak corrections. Constraints are placed on models containing quark contact interactions, extra spatial dimensions, quantum black holes, or dark matter, using the detector-level distributions. In a benchmark model where only left-handed quarks participate, contact interactions are excluded at the 95% confidence level up to a scale of 12.8 or 17.5TeV, for destructive or constructive interference, respectively. The most stringent lower limits to date are set on the ultraviolet cutoff in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model of extra dimensions. In the Giudice-Rattazzi-Wells convention, the cutoff scale is excluded up to 10.1TeV. The production of quantum black holes is excluded for masses below 5.9 and 8.2TeV, depending on the model. For the first time, lower limits between 2.0 and 4.6TeVare set on the mass of a dark matter mediator for (axial-)vector mediators, for the universal quark coupling g q = 1.0 .
A search for dark matter produced in association with a Higgs boson decaying to a pair of bottom quarks is performed in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 Te collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The analyzed data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . The signal is characterized by a large missing transverse momentum recoiling against a bottom quark-antiquark system that has a large Lorentz boost. The number of events observed in the data is consistent with the standard model background prediction. Results are interpreted in terms of limits both on parameters of the type-2 two-Higgs doublet model extended by an additional light pseudoscalar boson a (2HDM+ a ) and on parameters of a baryonic Z ' simplified model. The 2HDM+ a model is tested experimentally for the first time. For the baryonic Z ' model, the presented results constitute the most stringent constraints to date.
Measurements are presented of associated production of a W boson and a charm quark ( W + c ) in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 Te . The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.7 fb - 1 collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. The W bosons are identified by their decay into a muon and a neutrino. The charm quarks are tagged via the full reconstruction of D ∗ ( 2010 ) ± mesons that decay via D ∗ ( 2010 ) ± → D 0 + π ± → K ∓ + π ± + π ± . A cross section is measured in the fiducial region defined by the muon transverse momentum p T μ > 26 Ge , muon pseudorapidity | η μ | < 2.4 , and charm quark transverse momentum p T c > 5 Ge . The inclusive cross section for this kinematic range is σ ( W + c ) = 1026 ± 31 (stat) + 76 - 72 (syst) pb . The cross section is also measured differentially as a function of the pseudorapidity of the muon from the W boson decay. These measurements are compared with theoretical predictions and are used to probe the strange quark content of the proton.
Measurements of inclusive isolated-photon and photon+jet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV are presented. The analysis uses data collected by the CMS experiment in 2015, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.26 fb - 1 . The cross section for inclusive isolated photon production is measured as a function of the photon transverse energy in a fiducial region. The cross section for photon+jet production is measured as a function of the photon transverse energy in the same fiducial region with identical photon requirements and with the highest transverse momentum jet. All measurements are in agreement with predictions from next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD.
A search in an all-jet final state for new massive resonances decaying to W W , W Z , or Z Z boson pairs using a novel analysis method is presented. The analysis is performed on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 77.3 fb - 1 recorded with the CMS experiment at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 Te . The search is focussed on potential narrow-width resonances with masses above 1.2 Te , where the decay products of each W or Z boson are expected to be collimated into a single, large-radius jet. The signal is extracted using a three-dimensional maximum likelihood fit of the two jet masses and the dijet invariant mass, yielding an improvement in sensitivity of up to 30% relative to previous search methods. No excess is observed above the estimated standard model background. In a heavy vector triplet model, spin-1 Z ' and W ' resonances with masses below 3.5 and 3.8 Te , respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level. In a bulk graviton model, upper limits on cross sections are set between 27 and 0.2 fb for resonance masses between 1.2 and 5.2 Te , respectively. The limits presented in this paper are the best to date in the dijet final state.
New sets of CMS underlying-event parameters ("tunes") are presented for the pythia8 event generator. These tunes use the NNPDF3.1 parton distribution functions (PDFs) at leading (LO), next-to-leading (NLO), or next-to-next-to-leading (NNLO) orders in perturbative quantum chromodynamics, and the strong coupling evolution at LO or NLO. Measurements of charged-particle multiplicity and transverse momentum densities at various hadron collision energies are fit simultaneously to determine the parameters of the tunes. Comparisons of the predictions of the new tunes are provided for observables sensitive to the event shapes at LEP, global underlying event, soft multiparton interactions, and double-parton scattering contributions. In addition, comparisons are made for observables measured in various specific processes, such as multijet, Drell-Yan, and top quark-antiquark pair production including jet substructure observables. The simulation of the underlying event provided by the new tunes is interfaced to a higher-order matrix-element calculation. For the first time, predictions from pythia8 obtained with tunes based on NLO or NNLO PDFs are shown to reliably describe minimum-bias and underlying-event data with a similar level of agreement to predictions from tunes using LO PDF sets.
A search is presented for supersymmetric partners of the top quark (top squarks) in final states with two oppositely charged leptons (electrons or muons), jets identified as originating from b quarks, and missing transverse momentum. The search uses data from proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV collected with the CMS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb - 1 . Hypothetical signal events are efficiently separated from the dominant top quark pair production background with requirements on the significance of the missing transverse momentum and on transverse mass variables. No significant deviation is observed from the expected background. Exclusion limits are set in the context of simplified supersymmetric models with pair-produced lightest top squarks. For top squarks decaying exclusively to a top quark and a lightest neutralino, lower limits are placed at 95 % confidence level on the masses of the top squark and the neutralino up to 925 and 450 GeV , respectively. If the decay proceeds via an intermediate chargino, the corresponding lower limits on the mass of the lightest top squark are set up to 850 GeV for neutralino masses below 420 GeV . For top squarks undergoing a cascade decay through charginos and sleptons, the mass limits reach up to 1.4 TeV and 900 GeV respectively for the top squark and the lightest neutralino.
A search for dark matter particles is performed using events with a Z boson candidate and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 Te , collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb - 1 . The search uses the decay channels Z → e e and Z → μ μ . No significant excess of events is observed over the background expected from the standard model. Limits are set on dark matter particle production in the context of simplified models with vector, axial-vector, scalar, and pseudoscalar mediators, as well as on a two-Higgs-doublet model with an additional pseudoscalar mediator. In addition, limits are provided for spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering cross sections and are compared to those from direct-detection experiments. The results are also interpreted in the context of models of invisible Higgs boson decays, unparticles, and large extra dimensions.