Engineering topics

Gul, Muhammad

Publications and source records attributed to Gul, Muhammad.

At least 73 records · Page 4

DOE OSTI2018

Search for standard model production of four top quarks with same-sign and multilepton final states in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13\,\text {TeV} $

A search for standard model production of four top quarks ( $\mathrm {t}\overline{\mathrm {t}} \mathrm {t}\overline{\mathrm {t}} $ ) is reported using events containing at least three leptons ( $\mathrm {e}, \mathrm {\mu }$ ) or a same-sign lepton pair. The events are produced in proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 $\,\text {TeV}$ at the LHC, and the data sample, recorded in 2016, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 $\,\text {fb}^{-1}$ . Jet multiplicity and flavor are used to enhance signal sensitivity, and dedicated control regions are used to constrain the dominant backgrounds. The observed and expected signal significances are, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0 standard deviations, and the $\mathrm {t}\overline{\mathrm {t}} \mathrm {t}\overline{\mathrm {t}} $ cross section is measured to be $16.9^{+13.8-11.4}$ $\,\text {fb}$ , in agreement with next-to-leading-order standard model predictions. These results are also used to constrain the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson to be less than 2.1 times its expected standard model value at 95% confidence level.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for top squarks and dark matter particles in opposite-charge dilepton final states at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV

A search for new physics is presented in final states with two oppositely charged leptons (electrons or muons), jets identified as originating from b quarks, and missing transverse momentum (pTmiss). The search uses proton-proton collision data at s=13 TeV amounting to 35.9 fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected using the CMS detector in 2016. Hypothetical signal events are efficiently separated from the dominant tt¯ background with requirements on pTmiss and 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 top squarks. For top squarks, decaying exclusively to a top quark and a neutralino, exclusion limits are placed at 95% confidence level on the mass of the lightest top squark up to 800 GeV and on the lightest neutralino up to 360 GeV. These results, combined with searches in the single-lepton and all-jet final states, raise the exclusion limits up to 1050 GeV for the lightest top squark and up to 500 GeV for the lightest neutralino. For top squarks undergoing a cascade decay through charginos and sleptons, the mass limits reach up to 1300 GeV for top squarks and up to 800 GeV for the lightest neutralino. The results are also interpreted in a simplified model with a dark matter (DM) particle coupled to the top quark through a scalar or pseudoscalar mediator. For light DM, mediator masses up to 100 (50) GeV are excluded for scalar (pseudoscalar) mediators. The result for the scalar mediator achieves some of the most stringent limits to date in this model.

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DOE OSTI2018

Inclusive search for a highly boosted Higgs boson decaying to a bottom quark-antiquark pair

An inclusive search for the standard model Higgs boson (H) produced with large transverse momentum (pT) and decaying to a bottom quark-antiquark pair (bb¯) is performed using a data set of pp collisions at s=13 TeV collected with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb-1. A highly Lorentz-boosted Higgs boson decaying to bb¯ is reconstructed as a single, large radius jet, and it is identified using jet substructure and dedicated b tagging techniques. The method is validated with Z→bb¯ decays. The Z→bb¯ process is observed for the first time in the single-jet topology with a local significance of 5.1 standard deviations (5.8 expected). For a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, an excess of events above the expected background is observed (expected) with a local significance of 1.5 (0.7) standard deviations. The measured cross section times branching fraction for production via gluon fusion of H→bb¯ with reconstructed pT>450 GeV and in the pseudorapidity range -2.5<η<2.5 is 74±48(stat)-10+17(syst) fb, which is consistent within uncertainties with the standard model prediction.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for supersymmetry in events with at least three electrons or muons, jets, and missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV

A search for new physics is carried out in events with at least three electrons or muons in any combination, jets, and missing transverse momentum. Results are based on the sample of proton-proton collision data produced by the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and collected by the CMS experiment in 2016. The data sample analyzed corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$. Events are classified according to the number of b jets, missing transverse momentum, hadronic transverse momentum, and the invariant mass of same-flavor dilepton pairs with opposite charge. No significant excess above the expected standard model background is observed. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level are computed for four different supersymmetric simplified models with pair production of gluinos or third-generation squarks. In the model with gluino pair production, with subsequent decays into a top quark-antiquark pair and a neutralino, gluinos with masses smaller than 1610 GeV are excluded for a massless lightest supersymmetric particle. In the case of bottom squark pair production, the bottom squark masses are excluded up to 840 GeV for charginos lighter than 200 GeV. For a simplified model of heavy top squark pair production, the $ {\tilde{\mathrm{t}}}_2 $ mass is excluded up to 720, 780, or 710 GeV for models with an exclusive $ {\tilde{\mathrm{t}}}_2\to {\tilde{\mathrm{t}}}_1\mathrm{H} $ decay, an exclusive $ {\tilde{\mathrm{t}}}_2\to {\tilde{\mathrm{t}}}_1\mathrm{Z} $ decay, or an equally probable mix of those two decays. In order to provide a simplified version of the analysis for easier interpretation, a small set of aggregate signal regions also has been defined, providing a compromise between simplicity and analysis sensitivity.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for Higgsino pair production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV in final states with large missing transverse momentum and two Higgs bosons decaying via $H \to b \bar b$

Results are reported from a search for new physics in 13 TeV proton-proton collisions in the final state with large missing transverse momentum and two Higgs bosons decaying via H→bb¯. The search uses a data sample accumulated by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb-1. The search is motivated by models based on gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking, which predict the electroweak production of a pair of Higgsinos, each of which can decay via a cascade process to a Higgs boson and an undetected lightest supersymmetric particle. The observed event yields in the signal regions are consistent with the standard model background expectation obtained from control regions in data. Higgsinos in the mass range 230–770 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level in the context of a simplified model for the production and decay of approximately degenerate Higgsinos.

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DOE OSTI2018

Constraints on the double-parton scattering cross section from same-sign W boson pair production in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=8 $ TeV

A first search for same-sign WW production via double-parton scattering is performed based on proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV using dimuon and electron-muon final states. The search is based on the analysis of data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb$^{−1}$. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected single-parton scattering yields. A 95% confidence level upper limit of 0.32 pb is set on the inclusive cross section for same-sign WW production via the double-parton scattering process. This upper limit is used to place a 95% confidence level lower limit of 12.2 mb on the effective double-parton cross section parameter, closely related to the transverse distribution of partons in the proton. This limit on the effective cross section is consistent with previous measurements as well as with Monte Carlo event generator predictions.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for supersymmetry in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV using identified top quarks

A search for supersymmetry is presented based on proton-proton collision events containing identified hadronically decaying top quarks, no leptons, and an imbalance pTmiss in transverse momentum. The data were collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. Search regions are defined in terms of the multiplicity of bottom quark jet and top quark candidates, the pTmiss, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta, and the mT2 mass variable. No statistically significant excess of events is observed relative to the expectation from the standard model. Lower limits on the masses of supersymmetric particles are determined at 95% confidence level in the context of simplified models with top quark production. For a model with direct top squark pair production followed by the decay of each top squark to a top quark and a neutralino, top squark masses up to 1020 GeV and neutralino masses up to 430 GeV are excluded. For a model with pair production of gluinos followed by the decay of each gluino to a top quark-antiquark pair and a neutralino, gluino masses up to 2040 GeV and neutralino masses up to 1150 GeV are excluded. These limits extend previous results.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for low mass vector resonances decaying into quark-antiquark pairs in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV

A search for narrow vector resonances decaying into quark-antiquark pairs is presented. The analysis is based on data collected in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$. The hypothetical resonance is produced with sufficiently high transverse momentum that its decay products are merged into a single jet with two-prong substructure. A signal would be identified as a peak over a smoothly falling background in the distribution of the invariant mass of the jet, using novel jet substructure techniques. No evidence for such a resonance is observed within the mass range of 50-300 GeV. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section, and presented in a mass-coupling parameter space. The limits further constrain simplified models of dark matter production involving a mediator interacting between quarks and dark matter particles through a vector or axial-vector current. In the framework of these models, the results are the most sensitive to date, extending for the first time the search region to masses below 100 GeV.

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DOE OSTI2018

Search for resonant and nonresonant Higgs boson pair production in the $ \mathrm{b}\overline{\mathrm{b}}\mathit{\ell \nu \ell \nu } $ final state in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV

Searches for resonant and nonresonant pair-produced Higgs bosons (HH) decaying respectively into ℓνℓν, through either W or Z bosons, and $ \mathrm{b}\overline{\mathrm{b}} $ are presented. The analyses are based on a sample of proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$. Data and predictions from the standard model are in agreement within uncertainties. For the standard model HH hypothesis, the data exclude at 95% confidence level a product of the production cross section and branching fraction larger than 72 fb, corresponding to 79 times the standard model prediction. Constraints are placed on different scenarios considering anomalous couplings, which could affect the rate and kinematics of HH production. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section of narrow-width spin-0 and spin-2 particles decaying to Higgs boson pairs, the latter produced with minimal gravity-like coupling.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in proton-lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_\mathrm{NN}}} =$ 5.02 and 8.16 TeV

The pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in proton-lead collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02 $ and 8.16 TeV are presented. The measurements are based on data samples collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The number of primary charged hadrons produced in non-single-diffractive proton-lead collisions is determined in the pseudorapidity range |η$_{lab}$| < 2.4. The charged-hadron multiplicity distributions are compared to the predictions from theoretical calculations and Monte Carlo event generators. In the center-of-mass pseudorapidity range |η$_{cm}$| < 0.5, the average charged-hadron multiplicity densities 〈dN$_{ch}$/dη$_{cm}$〉$_{|η}_{cm|}$ < 0.5 are 17.31 ± 0.01 (stat) ± 0.59 (syst) and 20.10 ± 0.01 (stat) ± 0.85(syst) at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02 $ and 8.16 TeV, respectively. The particle densities per participant nucleon are compared to similar measurements in proton-proton, proton-nucleus, and nucleus-nucleus collisions.

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DOE OSTI2017

Search for supersymmetry in events with at least one photon, missing transverse momentum, and large transverse event activity in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV

A search for physics beyond the standard model in final states with at least one photon, large transverse momentum imbalance, and large total transverse event activity is presented. Such topologies can be produced in gauge-mediated supersymmetry models in which pair-produced gluinos or squarks decay to photons and gravitinos via short-lived neutralinos. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016. No significant excess of events above the expected standard model background is observed. The data are interpreted in simplified models of gluino and squark pair production, in which gluinos or squarks decay via neutralinos to photons. Gluino masses of up to 1.50-2.00 TeV and squark masses up to 1.30-1.65 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, depending on the neutralino mass and branching fraction.

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DOE OSTI2017

Search for lepton flavour violating decays of the Higgs boson to $\mu\tau$ and e$\tau$ in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV

A search for lepton flavour violating decays of the Higgs boson in the μτ and eτ decay modes is presented. The search is based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$ of proton-proton collisions collected with the CMS detector in 2016, at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess over the standard model expectation is observed. The observed (expected) upper limits on the lepton flavour violating branching fractions of the Higgs boson are ℬ(H → μτ) < 0.25% (0.25%) and ℬ(H → eτ) < 0.61% (0.37%), at 95% confidence level. These results are used to derive upper limits on the off-diagonal μτ and eτ Yukawa couplings $ \sqrt{{\left|{Y}_{\mu \tau}\right|}^2+{\left|{Y}_{\tau \mu}\right|}^2}<1.43\times {10}^{-3} $ and $ \sqrt{{\left|{Y}_{\mathrm{e}\tau}\right|}^2+{\left|{Y}_{\tau \mathrm{e}}\right|}^2}<2.26\times {10}^{-3} $ at 95% confidence level. The limits on the lepton flavour violating branching fractions of the Higgs boson and on the associated Yukawa couplings are the most stringent to date.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Observation of top quark production in proton-nucleus collisions

The first observation of top quark production in proton-nucleus collisions is reported using proton-lead data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sNN=8.16 TeV. The measurement is performed using events with exactly one isolated electron or muon candidate and at least four jets. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 174 nb-1. The significance of the tt¯ signal against the background-only hypothesis is above 5 standard deviations. The measured cross section is σtt¯=45±8 nb, consistent with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics.

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DOE OSTI2017

Search for dark matter produced in association with heavy-flavor quark pairs in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

A search is presented for an excess of events with heavy-flavor quark pairs ( ${t}\overline{{t}} $ and ${b} \overline{{b}} $ ) and a large imbalance in transverse momentum in data from proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 $\,\text{TeV}$ . The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 $\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. No deviations are observed with respect to standard model predictions. The results are used in the first interpretation of dark matter production in ${t}\overline{{t}} $ and ${b} \overline{{b}} $ final states in a simplified model. This analysis is also the first to perform a statistical combination of searches for dark matter produced with different heavy-flavor final states. The combination provides exclusions that are stronger than those achieved with individual heavy-flavor final states.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Search for the flavor-changing neutral current interactions of the top quark and the Higgs boson which decays into a pair of b quarks at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV

A search for flavor-changing neutral currents (FCNC) in events with the top quark and the Higgs boson is presented. The Higgs boson decay to a pair of b quarks is considered. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$ recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV. Two channels are considered: single top quark FCNC production in association with the Higgs boson (pp → tH), and top quark pair production with FCNC decay of the top quark (t → qH). Final states with one isolated lepton and at least three reconstructed jets, among which at least two are associated with b quarks, are studied. No significant deviation is observed from the predicted background. Observed (expected) upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the branching fractions of top quark decays, ℬ(t → uH) < 0.47% (0.34%) and ℬ(t → cH) < 0.47% (0.44%), assuming a single nonzero FCNC coupling.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Measurement of charged pion, kaon, and proton production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

Transverse momentum spectra of charged pions, kaons, and protons are measured in proton-proton collisions at s=13 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The particles, identified via their energy loss in the silicon tracker, are measured in the transverse momentum range of pT≈0.1–1.7 GeV/c and rapidities |y|<1. The pT spectra and integrated yields are compared to previous results at smaller s and to predictions of Monte Carlo event generators. The average pT increases with particle mass and charged particle multiplicity of the event. Comparisons with previous CMS results at s=0.9, 2.76, and 7 TeV show that the average pT and the ratios of hadron yields feature very similar dependences on the particle multiplicity in the event, independently of the center-of-mass energy of the pp collision.

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DOE OSTI2017

Search for Evidence of the Type-III Seesaw Mechanism in Multilepton Final States in Proton-Proton Collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$

A search for a signal consistent with the type-III seesaw mechanism in events with three or more electrons or muons is presented. The data sample consists of proton-proton collisions at s=13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016 and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. Selection criteria based on the number of leptons and the invariant mass of oppositely charged lepton pairs are used to distinguish the signal from the standard model background. The observations are consistent with the expectations from standard model processes. The results are used to place limits on the production of heavy fermions of the type-III seesaw model as a function of the branching ratio to each lepton flavor. In the scenario of equal branching fractions to each lepton flavor, heavy fermions with masses below 840 GeV are excluded. This is the most sensitive probe to date of the type-III seesaw mechanism.

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DOE OSTI2017

Search for pair production of vector-like T and B quarks in single-lepton final states using boosted jet substructure in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

A search for pair production of massive vector-like T and B quarks in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV is presented. The data set was collected in 2015 by the CMS experiment at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of up to 2.6 fb$^{−1}$. The T and B quarks are assumed to decay through three possible channels into a heavy boson (either a W, Z or Higgs boson) and a third generation quark. This search is performed in final states with one charged lepton and several jets, exploiting techniques to identify W or Higgs bosons decaying hadronically with large transverse momenta. No excess over the predicted standard model background is observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level on the T quark pair production cross section are set that exclude T quark masses below 860 GeV in the singlet, and below 830 GeV in the doublet branching fraction scenario. For other branching fraction combinations with ℬ(T → tH) + ℬ(T → bW) ≥ 0.4, lower limits on the T quark range from 790 to 940 GeV. Limits are also set on pair production of singlet vector-like B quarks, which can be excluded up to a mass of 730 GeV. The techniques showcased here for understanding highly-boosted final states are important as the sensitivity to new particles is extended to higher masses.

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