Top quark forward-backward asymmetry and same-sign top quark pairs

The top quark forward-backward asymmetry measured at the Tevatron collider shows a large deviation from standard model expectations. Among possible interpretations, a nonuniversal Z' model is of particular interest as it naturally predicts a top quark in the forward region of large rapidity. To reproduce the size of the asymmetry, the couplings of the Z' to standard model quarks must be large, inevitably leading to copious production of same-sign top quark pairs at the energies of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We explore the discovery potential for tt and ttj production in early LHC experiments at 7-8 TeV and conclude that if no tt signal is observed with 1 fb?1 of integrated luminosity, then a nonuniversal Z' alone cannot explain the Tevatron forward-backward asymmetry.     

Global Electroweak Fit and Its Implication for Z'

Among the Z-pole observables, AFB^（0,b） and Ae display moderately large standard deviations from the Standard Model predictions. This result can be interpreted as independent experimental evidence for new physics beyond the SM, even if the 125 GeV Higgs-like boson at the LHC is ultimately confirmed as the SM Higgs. A recalculated global electroweak fit with a model-independent Z＇ shows that Z＇ can simultaneously suppress AFB（0,b） and Ae at the Z-pole, and reduce the largest deviation from 2.6σ in SM to 1.0σ in our scenario. The Z＇ fitting results also support a negative S parameter.     

Constraining the anomalous Higgs boson coupling in H+γ production

Higgs boson production in association with a photon(H+) offers a promising channel to test the Higgs boson to photon coupling at various energy scales. Its potential sensitivity to anomalous couplings of the Higgs boson has not been explored with the proton-proton collision data. In this paper, we reinterpret the latest ATLAS H+resonance search results within the Standard Model effective field theory(EFT) framework, using 36.1 fb~(-1) of protonproton collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at s~(1/2) 13 TeV. Constraints on the Wilson coefficients of dimension-six EFT operators related to the Higgs boson to photon coupling are provided for the first time in the H+final state at the LHC.     

Searches for Dark Matter via Mono-W Production in Inert Doublet Model at the LHC

The Inert Doublet Model(IDM) is one of the many beyond Standard Model scenarios with an extended scalar sector, which provide a suitable dark matter particle candidate. Dark matter associated visible particle production at high energy colliders provides a unique way to determine the microscopic properties of the dark matter particle. In this paper, we investigate that the mono-W + missing transverse energy production at the Large Hadron Collider(LHC),where W boson decay to a lepton and a neutrino. We perform the analysis for the signal of mono-W production in the IDM and the Standard Model(SM) backgrounds, and the optimized criteria employing suitable cuts are chosen in kinematic variables to maximize signal significance. We also investigate the discovery potential in several benchmark scenarios at the 14 TeV LHC. When the light Z_2 odd scalar higgs of mass is about 65 GeV, charged Higgs is in the mass range from 120 GeV to 250 GeV, it provides the best possibility with a signal significance of about 3σ at an integrated luminosity of about 3000 fb~(-1).     

Search for new particles decaying to t&tmacr; in p&pmacr; collisions at radicals = 1.8 TeV

We use 106 pb (-1) of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab to search for narrow-width, vector particles decaying to a top and an antitop quark. Model independent upper limits on the cross section for narrow, vector resonances decaying to t&tmacr; are presented. At the 95% confidence level, we exclude the existence of a leptophobic Z' boson in a model of top-color-assisted technicolor with mass M(Z')<480 GeV/c(2) for natural width gamma = 0.012M(Z'), and M(Z')<780 GeV/c(2) for gamma = 0.04M(Z').     

Search for resonant tt[overline] production in pp[overline] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report on a search for narrow-width particles decaying to a top and antitop quark pair. The data set used in the analysis corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 680 pb(-1) collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab in run II. We present 95% confidence level upper limits on the cross section times branching ratio. Assuming a specific top-color-assisted technicolor production model, the leptophobic Z' with width Gamma(Z')=0.012M(Z'), we exclude the mass range M(Z')<725 GeV/c(2) at the 95% confidence level.     

Feasibility Studies of Charge Exchange Measurements in pp Collisions at the LHC

(1) Pions produced in the development of extended atmospheric cosmic ray air showers subsequently decay to muons. The measured yield of those muons is generally underestimated by current phenomenological models and event generators optimized for cosmic ray physics. The importance of those disagreements motivates the feasibility studies for testing these models at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energies, at the highest center-of-mass energies achievable in a laboratory. The interaction of a nucleus and a virtual pion created in a charge exchange reaction at the LHC is a similar process to those contributing to the development of air showers in case of cosmic rays. The crucial problem of such an analysis is the selection of charge exchange events with the highest possible efficiency and high purity from proton–proton collisions at the LHC. (2) For this we consider distributions of various measurable quantities given by event generators commonly used in cosmic ray physics. (3) We examine the expected distributions of energy deposited in different calorimeters of an LHC experiment. We consider the geometrical acceptance and energy resolution of the detectors at the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, as an example. We determine a working point cut from the various options for event selection, and compare signal and background predictions using different models for a representative simple observable, such as average transverse momentum or charge particle yield. (4) A set of event selection cuts along these considerations is proposed, with the aim of achieving optimal efficiency and purity.     

Design and implementation of a crystal collimation test stand at the Large Hadron Collider

Future upgrades of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) demand improved cleaning performance of its collimation system. Very efficient collimation is required during regular operations at high intensities, because even a small amount of energy deposited on superconducting magnets can cause an abrupt loss of superconducting conditions (quench). The possibility to use a crystal-based collimation system represents an option for improving both cleaning performance and impedance compared to the present system. Before relying on crystal collimation for the LHC, a demonstration under LHC conditions (energy, beam parameters, etc.) and a comparison against the present system is considered mandatory. Thus, a prototype crystal collimation system has been designed and installed in the LHC during the Long Shutdown 1 (LS1), to perform feasibility tests during the Run 2 at energies up to 6.5 TeV. The layout is suitable for operation with proton as well as heavy ion beams. In this paper, the design constraints and the solutions proposed for this test stand for feasibility demonstration of crystal collimation at the LHC are presented. The expected cleaning performance achievable with this test stand, as assessed in simulations, is presented and compared to that of the present LHC collimation system. The first experimental observation of crystal channeling in the LHC at the record beam energy of 6.5 TeV has been obtained in 2015 using the layout presented (Scandale et al., Phys Lett B 758:129, 2016). First tests to measure the cleaning performance of this test stand have been carried out in 2016 and the detailed data analysis is still on-going.     

The standard model Higgs search at the large hadron collider

The experiments at the large hadron collider (LHC) will probe for Higgs boson in the mass range between the lower bound on the Higgs mass set by the experiments at the large electron positron collider (LEP) and the unitarity bound (∼1 TeV). Strategies are being developed to look for signatures of Higgs boson and measure its properties. In this paper results from full detector simulation-based studies on Higgs discovery from both ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC will be presented. Results of simulation studies on Higgs coupling measurement at LHC will be discussed. on behalf of the CMS and the ATLAS Collaborations     

Identification of extra neutral gauge bosons at the LHC using b and t quarks

New neutral gauge bosons (Z' 's) are predicted by many models of physics beyond the standard electroweak theory. It is possible that a Z' will be discovered by the Large Hadron Collider program. The next step would be to measure its properties to identify the underlying theory that gave rise to the Z'. Heavy quarks have the unique property that they can be identified in the final states. In this Letter we demonstrate that measuring Z' decays to b- and t-quark final states can act as an effective means of discriminating between models with extra gauge bosons.     

Study of Two Top Production Through FCNC Anomalous Couplings at the LHC

We study the possibility of production of same sign top quark pairs at the LHC as a direct probe of flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) processes in the tqg vertices. In particular, the LHC potential to probe the flavor violating parameter κ/Λ is investigated with 5, 10, 15, and 20 fb^?1 of integrated luminosity of data of 7 and 8 TeV collisions. We find that the LHC can probe it down to 0.13 TeV^?1 via double top production process. Also, we examine the effects of variation of factorization scale and different parton distribution functions on the total cross section of same sign top quark pair at the LHC. The results could be a valid starting point for a more detailed experimental study.     

Inelastic dark matter at the LHC

The dark matter sector may be more complicated than anticipated. An inelastically scattering dark matter with a mass splitting above one MeV will make direct detection experiments hopeless, and render LHC the primary chance for discovery. We perform a model-independent study of inelastic dark matter at the LHC, concentrating on the parameter space with the mass splitting between the excited and ground states of dark matter above a few hundred MeV. The generic signatures of inelastic dark matter at the LHC are displaced pions together with a monojet plus missing energy, and can be tested at the 7 TeV LHC.     

Searching for anomalous top quark production at the early LHC

We present a detailed study of the anomalous top quark production with subsequent decay at the LHC induced by model-independent flavor-changing neutral-current couplings, incorporating the complete next-to-leading order QCD effects. Our results show that, taking into account the current limits from the Tevatron, the LHC with √s=7 TeV may discover the anomalous coupling at 5σ level for a very low integrated luminosity of 61 pb?1. The discovery potentials for the anomalous couplings at the LHC are examined in detail. We also discuss the possibility of using the charge ratio to distinguish the tug and tcg couplings.     

Search for Z' --> e+ e- using dielectron mass and angular distribution

We search for Z' bosons in dielectron events produced in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, using 0.45 fb(-1) of data accumulated with the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. To identify the Z' --> e+ e- signal, both the dielectron invariant mass distribution and the angular distribution of the electron pair are used. No evidence of a signal is found, and 95% confidence level lower limits are set on the Z' mass for several models. Limits are also placed on the mass and gauge coupling of a generic Z', as well as on the contact-interaction mass scales for different helicity structure scenarios.     

Top quark production from black holes at the CERN LHC

LHC is expected to be a top quark factory. If the fundamental Planck scale is near a TeV, then we also expect the top quarks to be produced from black holes via Hawking radiation. In this Letter we calculate the cross sections for top quark production from black holes at the LHC and compare it with the direct top quark cross section via parton fusion processes at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO). We find that the top quark production from black holes can be larger or smaller than the pQCD predictions at NNLO depending upon the Planck mass and black hole mass. Hence the observation of very high rates for massive particle production (top quarks, Higgs or supersymmetry) at the LHC may be an useful signature for black hole production.     

Prospects for discovering supersymmetry at the LHC

Supersymmetry is one of the best-motivated candidates for physics beyond the standard model that might be discovered at the LHC. There are many reasons to expect that it may appear at the TeV scale, in particular because it provides a natural cold dark-matter candidate. The apparent discrepancy between the experimental measurement of g _μ −2 and the standard-model value calculated using low-energy e ⁺ e ⁻ data favours relatively light sparticles, accessible to the LHC. A global likelihood analysis including this, other electroweak precision observables and B decay observables suggests that the LHC might be able to discover supersymmetry with 1/fb or less of integrated luminosity. The LHC should be able to discover supersymmetry via the classic missing-energy signature, or in alternative phenomenological scenarios. The prospects for discovering supersymmetry at the LHC look very good. CERN-PH-TH/2008-208.     

Baryonic Z' explanation for the CDF Wjj excess

The latest CDF anomaly, the excess of dijet events in the invariant-mass window 120-160 GeV in associated production with a W boson, can be explained by a baryonic Z' model in which the Z' boson has negligible couplings to leptons. Although this Z' model is hardly subject to the Drell-Yan constraint from Tevatron, it is constrained by the dijet data from UA2 (√s=630 GeV), and the precision measurements at LEP through the mixing with the SM Z boson. We show that under these constraints this model can still explain the excess in the M(jj)～120-160 GeV window, as well as the claimed cross section σ(WZ')～4 pb. Implications at the Tevatron would be the associated production of γZ', ZZ', and Z'Z' with the Z'→jj. We show that with tightened jet cuts and improved systematic uncertainties both γZ'→γjj and ZZ'→?(+)?(-) jj channels could be useful to probe this model at the Tevatron.     

Anomaly driven signatures of new invisible physics at the Large Hadron Collider

Many extensions of the Standard Model (SM) predict new neutral vector bosons at energies accessible by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We study an extension of the SM with new chiral fermions subject to non-trivial anomaly cancellations. If the new fermions have SM charges, but are too heavy to be created at LHC, and the SM fermions are not charged under the extra gauge field, one would expect that this new sector remains completely invisible at LHC. We show, however, that a non-trivial anomaly cancellation between the new heavy fermions may give rise to observable effects in the gauge boson sector that can be seen at the LHC and distinguished from backgrounds.     

Searches for signals from microscopic black holes in processes of proton collisions at \sqrt s = 7 TeV in the CMS experiment at the LHC

If the fundamental scale of multidimensional gravity is about one or several TeV units, microscopic black holes or objects referred to as string balls may be produced at the LHC. The most recent results obtained by the CMS Collaboration at the LHC from searches for such signals at the c.m. protoninteraction energy of 7 TeV and for an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb^?1. Lower limits on the masses of objects of strongly acting gravity were set in the parameter region accessible to tests at the present time. Prospects for further research in this field are discussed.     

Prospects for new physics observations in diffractive processes at the LHC and Tevatron

We study the double-diffractive production of various heavy systems (e.g. Higgs, dijet, and SUSY particles) at LHC and Tevatron collider energies. In each case we compute the probability that the rapidity gaps, which occur on either side of the produced system, survive the effects of soft rescattering and QCD bremsstrahlung effects. We calculate both the luminosity for different production mechanisms, and a wide variety of subprocess cross sections. The results allow numerical predictions to be readily made for the cross sections of all these processes at the LHC and the Tevatron collider. For example, we predict that the cross section for the exclusive double-diffractive production of a 120 GeV Higgs boson at the LHC is about 3 fb, and that the QCD background in the decay mode is about 4 times smaller than the Higgs signal if the experimental missing-mass resolution is 1 GeV. For completeness we also discuss production via or WW fusion. Received: 7 November 2001 / Revised version: 11 December 2001 / Published online: 25 January 2002