Search

Measurements of the inclusive and differential fiducial cross sections of the Higgs boson are presented, using the τ lepton decay channel. The differential cross sections are measured as functions of the Higgs boson transverse momentum, jet multiplicity, and transverse momentum of the leading jet in the event, if any. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. These are the first differential measurements of the Higgs boson cross section in the final state of two τ leptons. In final states with a large jet multiplicity or with a Lorentz-boosted Higgs boson, these measurements constitute a significant improvement over measurements performed in other final states. WOS:000766949800004

The B0 s and B+ production yields are measured in PbPb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The data sample, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb−1. The mesons are reconstructed in the exclusive decay channels B0 s → J/ψ(μ+μ−)φ(K+K−) and B+ → J/ψ(μ+μ−)K+, in the transverse momentum range 7–50 GeV/c and absolute rapidity 0–2.4. The B0 s meson is observed with a statistical significance in excess of five standard deviations for the first time in nucleus-nucleus collisions. The measurements are performed as functions of the transverse momentum of the B mesons and of the PbPb collision centrality. The ratio of production yields of B0 s and B+ is measured and compared to theoretical models that include quark recombination effects. WOS:000821534900017

A search is presented for heavy bosons decaying to Z(νν¯)V(qq¯′), where V can be a W or a Z boson. A sample of proton-proton collision data at s=13 TeV was collected by the CMS experiment during 2016-2018. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb-1. The event categorization is based on the presence of high-momentum jets in the forward region to identify production through weak vector boson fusion. Additional categorization uses jet substructure techniques and the presence of large missing transverse momentum to identify W and Z bosons decaying to quarks and neutrinos, respectively. The dominant standard model backgrounds are estimated using data taken from control regions. The results are interpreted in terms of radion, W′ boson, and graviton models, under the assumption that these bosons are produced via gluon-gluon fusion, Drell-Yan, or weak vector boson fusion processes. No evidence is found for physics beyond the standard model. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on various types of hypothetical new bosons. Observed (expected) exclusion limits on the masses of these bosons range from 1.2 to 4.0 (1.1 to 3.7) TeV.

A search for new long-lived particles decaying to leptons using proton–proton collision data produced by the CERN LHC at √s = 13 TeV is presented. Events are selected with two leptons (an electron and a muon, two electrons, or two muons) that both have transverse impact parameter values between 0.01 and 10 cm and are not required to form a common vertex. Data used for the analysis were collected with the CMS detector in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 118 (113) fb−1 in the ee channel (eμ and μμ channels). The search is designed to be sensitive to a wide range of models with displaced eμ, ee, and μμ final states. The results constrain several well-motivated models involving new long-lived particles that decay to displaced leptons. For some areas of the available phase space, these are the most stringent constraints to date. WOS:000757436200002

A search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson produced via vector boson fusion (VBF) has been performed with 101 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions delivered by the LHC at ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV and collected by the CMS detector in 2017 and 2018. The sensitivity to the VBF production mechanism is enhanced by constructing two analysis categories, one based on missing transverse momentum and a second based on the properties of jets. In addition to control regions with Z and W boson candidate events, a highly populated control region, based on the production of a photon in association with jets, is used to constrain the dominant irreducible background from the invisible decay of a Z boson produced in association with jets. The results of this search are combined with all previous measurements in the VBF topology, based on data collected in 2012 (at ffiffi s p ¼ 8 TeV), 2015, and 2016, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 19.7, 2.3, and 36.3 fb−1, respectively. The observed (expected) upper limit on the invisible branching fraction of the Higgs boson is found to be 0.18 (0.10) at the 95% confidence level, assuming the standard model production cross section. The results are also interpreted in the context of Higgs-portal models. WOS:000813239900002

A search for exclusive two-photon production via photon exchange in proton-proton collisions, pp → pγγp with intact protons, is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb−1 collected in 2016 using the CMS and TOTEM detectors at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the LHC. Events are selected with a diphoton invariant mass above 350 GeV and with both protons intact in the final state, to reduce backgrounds from strong interactions. The events of interest are those where the invariant mass and rapidity calculated from the momentum losses of the forward-moving protons match the mass and rapidity of the central, two-photon system. No events are found that satisfy this condition. Interpreting this result in an effective dimension-8 extension of the standard model, the first limits are set on the two anomalous four-photon coupling parameters. If the other parameter is constrained to its standard model value, the limits at 95% confidence level are jζ1j < 2.9 × 10−13 GeV−4 and jζ2j < 6.0 × 10−13 GeV−4. WOS:000828552400010

A search for dark matter in the form of strongly interacting massive particles (SIMPs) using the CMS detector at the LHC is presented. The SIMPs would be produced in pairs that manifest themselves as pairs of jets without tracks. The energy fraction of jets carried by charged particles is used as a key discriminator to suppress efficiently the large multijet background, and the remaining background is estimated directly from data. The search is performed using proton–proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 16.1 fb−1, collected with the CMS detector in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. For the simplified dark matter model under consideration, SIMPs with masses up to 100 GeV are excluded and further sensitivity is explored towards higher masses. WOS:000767224700001 PMID: 35302730

Proton-proton interactions resulting in final states with two photons are studied in a search for the signature of flavor-changing neutral current interactions of top quarks (t) and Higgs bosons (H). The analysis is based on data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1. No significant excess above the background prediction is observed. Upper limits on the branching fractions (B) of the top quark decaying to a Higgs boson and an up (u) or charm (c) quark are derived through a binned fit to the diphoton invariant mass spectrum. The observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limits are found to be 0.019% (0.031%) for Bðt → HuÞ and 0.073% (0.051%) for Bðt → HcÞ. These are the strictest upper limits yet determined. WOS:000834348200003

The first evidence for X(3872) production in relativistic heavy ion collisions is reported. The X(3872) production is studied in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair, using the decay chain X(3872) -> J/psi pi(+)pi(-) -> mu(+) mu(-) pi(+)pi(-). The data were recorded with the CMS detector in 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb(-1). The measurement is performed in the rapidity and transverse momentum ranges vertical bar y vertical bar < 1.6 and 15 < p(T) < 50 GeV/c. The significance of the inclusive X(3872) signal is 4.2 standard deviations. The prompt X(3872) to psi 2S yield ratio is found to be rho(Pb-Pb) = 1.08 +/- 0.49(stat) +/- 0.52(syst), to be compared with typical values of 0.1 for pp collisions. This result provides a unique experimental input to theoretical models of the X(3872) production mechanism, and of the nature of this exotic state.

Multiparticle azimuthal correlations of prompt D-0 mesons arc measured in Pb-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV. For the first time, a four-particle cumulant method is used to extract the second Fourier coefficient of the azimuthal distribution (v(2)) of D-0 mesons as a function of event centrality and the D-0 transverse momentum. The ratios of the four-particle v(2) values to previously measured two-particle cumulant results provide direct experimental access to event-by-event fluctuations of charm quark azimuthal anisotropies. These ratios are also found to be comparable to those of inclusive charged particles in the event. However, hints of deviations are seen in the most central and peripheral collisions. To investigate the origin of flow fluctuations in the charm sector, these measurements are compared to a model implementing fluctuations of charm quark energy loss via collisional or radiative processes in the quark-gluon plasma. These models cannot quantitatively describe the data over the full transverse momentum and centrality ranges, although the calculations with collisional energy loss provide a better description of the data. WOS:000824635900006

A search for pairs of Higgs bosons produced via gluon and vector boson fusion is presented, focusing on the four b quark final state. The data sample consists of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb-1. No deviation from the background-only hypothesis is observed. A 95% confidence level upper limit on the Higgs boson pair production cross section is observed at 3.9 times the standard model prediction for an expected value of 7.8. Constraints are also set on the modifiers of the Higgs field self-coupling, κλ, and of the coupling of two Higgs bosons to two vector bosons, κ2 V. The observed (expected) allowed intervals at the 95% confidence level are -2.3

An inclusive search for nonresonant signatures of beyond the standard model (SM) phenomena in events with three or more charged leptons, including hadronically decaying τ leptons, is presented. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions at ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016–2018. Events are categorized based on the lepton and b-tagged jet multiplicities and various kinematic variables. Three scenarios of physics beyond the SM are probed, and signal-specific boosted decision trees are used for enhancing sensitivity. No significant deviations from the background expectations are observed. Lower limits are set at 95% confidence level on the mass of type-III seesaw heavy fermions in the range 845–1065 GeV for various decay branching fraction combinations to SM leptons. Doublet and singlet vectorlike τ lepton extensions of the SM are excluded for masses below 1045 GeV and in the mass range 125–150 GeV, respectively. Scalar leptoquarks decaying exclusively to a top quark and a lepton are excluded below 1.12–1.42 TeV, depending on the lepton flavor. For the type-III seesaw as well as the vectorlike doublet model, these constraints are the most stringent to date. For the vectorlike singlet model, these are the first constraints from the LHC experiments. Detailed results are also presented to facilitate alternative theoretical interpretations. WOS:000830403500012

Differential cross section measurements of W γ production in proton-proton collisions at ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV are presented. The data set used in this study was collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC in 2016–2018 with an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. Candidate events containing an electron or muon, a photon, and missing transverse momentum are selected. The measurements are compared with standard model predictions computed at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading orders in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. Constraints on the presence of TeV-scale new physics affecting the WWγ vertex are determined within an effective field theory framework, focusing on the O3W operator. A simultaneous measurement of the photon transverse momentum and the azimuthal angle of the charged lepton in a special reference frame is performed. This two-dimensional approach provides up to a factor of ten more sensitivity to the interference between the standard model and the O3W contribution than using the transverse momentum alone. WOS:000770948400001

The measurement of the cross section for the production of a Z boson, decaying to dielectrons or dimuons, in association with at least one bottom quark jet is performed with proton-proton collision data at ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC during 2016–2018. The integrated cross sections for Zþ ≥ 1 b jet and Zþ ≥ 2 b jets are reported for the electron, muon, and combined channels. The fiducial cross sections in the combined channel are 6.52 0.04ðstatÞ 0.40ðsystÞ 0.14ðtheoÞ pb for Zþ ≥ 1 b jet and 0.65 0.03ðstatÞ 0.07ðsystÞ 0.02ðtheoÞ pb for Zþ ≥ 2 b jets. The differential cross section distributions are measured as functions of various kinematic observables that are useful for precision tests of perturbative quantum chromodynamics predictions. The ratios of integrated and differential cross sections for Zþ ≥ 2b jets and Zþ ≥ 1 b jet processes are also determined. The value of the integrated cross section ratio measured in the combined channel is 0.100 0.005ðstatÞ 0.007ðsystÞ 0.003ðtheoÞ. All measurements are compared with predictions from various event generators. WOS:000811587900005

The top quark pair production cross section is measured in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The data were collected in a special LHC low-energy and low-intensity run in 2017, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 302 pb−1 . The measurement is performed using events with one electron and one muon of opposite charge, and at least two jets. The measured cross section is 60.7 ± 5.0 (stat) ± 2.8 (syst) ± 1.1 (lumi) pb. A combination with the result in the single lepton + jets channel, based on data collected in 2015 at the same center-of-mass energy and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 27.4 pb−1 , is then performed. The resulting measured value is 63.0 ± 4.1 (stat) ± 3.0 (syst+lumi) pb, in agreement with the standard model prediction of 66.8 +2.9 −3.1 pb. WOS:000790259300001

The Bþ c meson is observed for the first time in heavy ion collisions. Data from the CMS detector are used to study the production of the Bþ c meson in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) and proton-proton (pp) collisions at a centerof-mass energy per nucleon pair of ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 5.02 TeV, via the Bþ c → ðJ=ψ → μþμ−Þμþνμ decay. The Bþ c nuclear modification factor, derived from the Pb-Pb–to–pp ratio of production cross sections, is measured in two bins of the trimuon transverse momentum and of the Pb-Pb collision centrality. The Bþ c meson is shown to be less suppressed than quarkonia and most of the open heavy-flavor mesons, suggesting that effects of the hot and dense nuclear matter created in heavy ion collisions contribute to its production. This measurement sets forth a promising new probe of the interplay of suppression and enhancement mechanisms in the production of heavy-flavor mesons in the quark-gluon plasma. WOS:000826190500006

A search for Kaluza-Klein excited vector boson resonances, WKK, decaying in cascade to three W bosons via a scalar radion R, WKK → WR → WWW, in a final state containing two or three massive jets is presented. The search is performed with ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC during 2016–2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. Two final states are simultaneously probed, one where the two W bosons produced by the R decay are reconstructed as separate, large-radius, massive jets, and one where they are merged into a single largeradius jet. The observed data are in agreement with the standard model expectations. Limits are set on the product of the WKK resonance cross section and branching fraction to three W bosons in an extended warped extra-dimensional model and are the first of their kind at the LHC. WOS:000825415000002

is reconstructed via its hadronic decays, with the final-state products forming a single large-radius jet, owing to a high Lorentz boost of the W boson. The search is based on proton-proton collision data at √s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2016–2018. The Wγ mass spectrum is parameterized with a smoothly falling background function and examined for the presence of resonance-like signals. No significant excess above the predicted background is observed. Model-specific upper limits at 95% confidence level on the product of the cross section and branching fraction to the Wγ channel are set. Limits for narrow resonances and for resonances with an intrinsic width equal to 5% of their mass, for spin-0 and spin-1 hypotheses, range between 0.17 fb at 6.0 TeV and 55 fb at 0.7 TeV. These are the most restrictive limits to date on the existence of such resonances over a large range of probed masses. In specific heavy scalar (vector) triplet benchmark models, narrow resonances with masses between 0.75 (1.15) and 1.40 (1.36) TeV are excluded for a range of model parameters. Model-independent limits on the product of the cross section, signal acceptance, and branching fraction to the Wγ channel are set for minimum Wγ mass thresholds between 1.5 and 8.0 TeV WOS:000792884500019

A search is reported for high-mass hadronic resonances that decay to a parton and a Lorentz-boosted resonance, which in turn decays into a pair of partons. The search is based on data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. The boosted resonance is reconstructed as a single wide jet with substructure consistent with a two-body decay. The high-mass resonance is thus considered as a dijet system. The jet substructure information and the kinematic properties of cascade resonance decays are exploited to disentangle the signal from the large quantum chromodynamics multijet background. The dijet mass spectrum is analyzed for the presence of new high-mass resonances, and is found to be consistent with the standard model background predictions. Results are interpreted in a warped extra dimension model where the high-mass resonance is a Kaluza–Klein gluon, the boosted resonance is a radion, and the final state partons are all gluons. Limits on the production cross section are set as a function of the Kaluza– Klein gluon and radion masses. These limits exclude at 95% confidence level models with Kaluza–Klein gluon masses in the range 2.0 to 4.3 TeV and radion masses in the range 0.20 to 0.74 TeV. By exploring a novel experimental signature, the observed limits on the Kaluza–Klein gluon mass are extended by up to about 1 TeV compared to previous searches. WOS:000847214300010

A search for new heavy resonances decaying to pairs of bosons (WW, WZ, or WH) is presented. The analysis uses data from proton-proton collisions collected with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1. One of the bosons is required to be a W boson decaying to an electron or muon and a neutrino, while the other boson is required to be reconstructed as a single jet with mass and substructure compatible with a quark pair from a W, Z, or Higgs boson decay. The search is performed in the resonance mass range between 1.0 and 4.5 TeV and includes a specific search for resonances produced via vector boson fusion. The signal is extracted using a twodimensional maximum likelihood fit to the jet mass and the diboson invariant mass distributions. No significant excess is observed above the estimated background. Model-independent upper limits on the production cross sections of spin-0, spin-1, and spin-2 heavy resonances are derived as functions of the resonance mass and are interpreted in the context of bulk radion, heavy vector triplet, and bulk graviton models. The reported bounds are the most stringent to date. WOS:000796649700001

Using a data sample of root s = 13 TeV protonproton collisions collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2017 and 2018 with an integrated luminosity of 103 fb(-1), the B-s(0) -> psi(2S)K-S(0) and B-0 -> psi(2S)K-S(0) pi(+) pi(-) decays are observed with significances exceeding 5 standard deviations. The resulting branching fraction ratios, measured for the first time, correspond to B(B-s(0) -> psi(2S)K-S(0))/B(B-0 Zeta -> psi(2S)K-S(0)) = (3.33 +/- 0.69(stat) +/- 0.11 (syst) +/- 0.34 (f(s)/f(d))) x 10(-2) and B(B-0 -> psi(2S)K-S(0) pi(+) pi(-))/B(B-0 -> psi(2S)K-S(0)) = 0.480 +/- 0.013 (stat) +/- 0.032 (syst), where the last uncertainty in the first ratio is related to the uncertainty in the ratio of production cross sections of B-s(0) and B-0 mesons, f(s)/f(d). WOS:000850021700001 PMID: 35666690

Events where the two leading jets are separated by a pseudorapidity interval devoid of particle activity, known as jet-gap-jet events, are studied in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV. The signature is expected from hard color-singlet exchange. Each of the highest transverse momentum (p(T)) jets must have p(T)(jet) > 40 GeV and pseudorapidity 1.4 < vertical bar eta(jet)vertical bar < 4.7, with eta(jet1)eta(jet2) < 0, where jet1 and jet2 are the leading and subleading jets in p(T), respectively. The analysis is based on data collected by the CMS and TOTEM experiments during a low luminosity, high-beta* run at the CERN LHC in 2015, with an integrated luminosity of 0.66 pb(-1). Events with a low number of charged particles with p(T) > 0.2 GeV in the interval vertical bar eta vertical bar < 1 between the jets are observed in excess of calculations that assume only color-exchange. The fraction of events produced via color-singlet exchange, f(CSE), is measured as a function of p(T)(jet2), the pseudorapidity difference between the two leading jets, and the azimuthal angular separation between the two leading jets. The fraction f(CSE) has values of 0.4-1.0%. The results are compared with previous measurements and with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics. In addition, the first study of jet-gap-jet events detected in association with an intact proton using a subsample of events with an integrated luminosity of 0.40 pb(-1) is presented. The intact protons are detected with the Roman pot detectors of the TOTEM experiment. The f(CSE) in this sample is 2.91 +/- 0.70(stat)(-1.01)(+1.08)(syst) times larger than that for inclusive dijet production in dijets with similar kinematics.

The CMS experiment at the LHC has measured the differential cross sections of Z bosons decaying to pairs of leptons, as functions of transverse momentum and rapidity, in lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The measured Z boson elliptic azimuthal anisotropy coefficient is compatible with zero, showing that Z bosons do not experience significant final-state interactions in the medium produced in the collision. Yields of Z bosons are compared to Glauber model predictions and are found to deviate from these expectations in peripheral collisions, indicating the presence of initial collision geometry and centrality selection effects. The precision of the measurement allows, for the first time, for a data-driven determination of the nucleon-nucleon integrated luminosity as a function of lead-lead centrality, thereby eliminating the need for its estimation based on a Glauber model.

A combination of searches for top squark pair production using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment, is presented. Signatures with at least 2 jets and large missing transverse momentum are categorized into events with 0, 1, or 2 leptons. New results for regions of parameter space where the kinematical properties of top squark pair production and top quark pair production are very similar are presented. Depending on themodel, the combined result excludes a top squarkmass up to 1325 GeV for amassless neutralino, and a neutralinomass up to 700 GeV for a top squarkmass of 1150 GeV. Top squarks with masses from 145 to 295 GeV, for neutralino masses from 0 to 100 GeV, with a mass difference between the top squark and the neutralino in a window of 30 GeV around the mass of the top quark, are excluded for the first time with CMS data. The results of theses searches are also interpreted in an alternative signal model of dark matter production via a spin-0 mediator in association with a top quark pair. Upper limits are set on the cross section for mediator particle masses of up to 420 GeV.

The Xi(-)(b)pi(+)pi(-) invariant mass spectrum is investigated with an event sample of proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016-2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb(-1). The ground state Xi(-)(b) is reconstructed via its decays to J/psi Xi(-) and J/psi Lambda K-. A narrow resonance, labeled Xi(b)(6100)(-), is observed at a Xi(-)(b)pi(+)pi(-) invariant mass of 6100.3 +/- 0.2(stat) +/- 0.1(syst) +/- 0.6(Xi(-)(b)) MeV, where the last uncertainty reflects the precision of the Xi(-)(b) baryon mass. The upper limit on the Xi(b)(6100)(-) natural width is determined to be 1.9 MeV at 95% confidence level. The low Xi(b)(6100)(-) signal yield observed in data does not allow a measurement of the quantum numbers of the new state. However, following analogies with the established excited Xi(c) baryon states, the new Xi(b)(6100)(-) resonance and its decay sequence are consistent with the orbitally excited Xi(- )(b)baryon, with spin and parity quantum numbers J(P) = 3/2(-).

A search for long-lived particles (LLPs) produced in decays of standard model (SM) Higgs bosons is presented. The data sample consists of 137 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, recorded at the LHC in 2016-2018. A novel technique is employed to reconstruct decays of LLPs in the end cap muon detectors. The search is sensitive to a broad range of LLP decay modes and to masses as low as a few GeV. No excess of events above the SM background is observed. The most stringent limits to date on the branching fraction of the Higgs boson to LLPs subsequently decaying to quarks and tau(+)tau(-) are found for proper decay lengths greater than 6, 20, and 40 m, for LLP masses of 7, 15, and 40 GeV, respectively.

The cross section for W or Z boson production in association with two photons is measured in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The W → `ν and Z → `` decay modes (where ` = e, µ) are used to extract the Wγγ and Zγγ cross sections in a phase space defined by electron (muon) with transverse momentum larger than 30 GeV and photon transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV. All leptons and photons are required to have absolute pseudorapidity smaller than 2.5. The measured cross sections in this phase space are σ(Wγγ) = 13.6 +1.9 −1.9 (stat)+4.0 −4.0 (syst) ± 0.08 (PDF + scale)fb and σ(Zγγ) = 5.41+0.58 −0.55 (stat)+0.64 −0.70 (syst) ± 0.06 (PDF + scale)fb. Limits on anomalous quartic gauge couplings are set in the framework of an effective field theory with dimension-8 operators.

The production of Z boson pairs in proton–proton (pp) collisions, pp→(Z/γ∗)(Z/γ∗)→2ℓ2ℓ′, where ℓ,ℓ′=e or μ, is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137fb−1, collected during 2016–2018. The ZZ production cross section, σtot(pp→ZZ)=17.4±0.3(stat)±0.5(syst)±0.4(theo)±0.3(lumi) pb, measured for events with two pairs of opposite-sign, same-flavor leptons produced in the mass region 60

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 bquarks, and missing transverse momentum. The search uses data from proton-proton collisions at root 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 is presented for a heavy vector resonance decaying into a Z boson and the standard model Higgs boson, where the Z boson is identified through its leptonic decays to electrons, muons, or neutrinos, and the Higgs boson is identified through its hadronic decays. The search is performed in a Lorentz-boosted regime and is based on data collected from 2016 to 2018 at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb-1. Upper limits are derived on the production of a narrow heavy resonance Z ', and a mass below 3.5 and 3.7 Te is excluded at 95% confidence level in models where the heavy vector boson couples predominantly to fermions and to bosons, respectively. These are the most stringent limits placed on the Heavy Vector Triplet Z ' model to date. If the heavy vector boson couples exclusively to standard model bosons, upper limits on the product of the cross section and branching fraction are set between 23 and 0.3 fb for a Z ' mass between 0.8 and 4.6 Te, respectively. This is the first limit set on a heavy vector boson coupling exclusively to standard model bosons in its production and decay.

The first measurements of production cross sections of polarized same-sign (WW +/-)-W-+/- boson pairs in proton-proton collisions are reported. The measurements are based on a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1). Events are selected by requiring exactly two same-sign leptons, electrons or muons, moderate missing transverse momentum, and two jets with a large rapidity separation and a large dijet mass to enhance the contribution of same-sign (WW +/-)-W-+/- scattering events. An observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limit of 1.17 (0.88) fbis set on the production cross section for longitudinally polarized same-sign W-+/- W-+/- boson pairs. The electroweak production of same-sign W-+/- W-+/- boson pairs with at least one of the W bosons longitudinally polarized is measured with an observed (expected) significance of 2.3 (3.1) standard deviations. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

A fiducial cross section for W gamma production in proton-proton collisions is measured at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 137 fb(-1) of data collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. The W -> e nu and mu nu decay modes are used in a maximum-likelihood fit to the lepton-photon invariant mass distribution to extract the combined cross section. The measured cross section is compared with theoretical expectations at next-to-leading order in quantum chromodynamics. In addition, 95% confidence level intervals are reported for anomalous triple-gauge couplings within the framework of effective field theory.

A search is presented for lepton-flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson to mu t and et. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess has been found, and the results are interpreted in terms of upper limits on lepton-flavor violating branching fractions of the Higgs boson. The observed (expected) upper limits on the branching fractions are, respectively, B(H -> mu t) < 0.15(0.15)% and B(H -> e tau) < 0.22(0.16)% at 95% confidence level.

Measurements of differential and double-differential cross sections of top-quark pair (t¯t) production are presented in the lepton þ jets channels with a single electron or muon and jets in the final state. The analysis combines for the first time signatures of top quarks with low transverse momentum pT, where the top-quark decay products can be identified as separated jets and isolated leptons, and with high pT, where the decay products are collimated and overlap. The measurements are based on proton-proton collision data at ffiffi s p ¼ 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1. The cross sections are presented at the parton and particle levels, where the latter minimizes extrapolations based on theoretical assumptions. Most of the measured differential cross sections are well described by standard model predictions with the exception of some double-differential distributions. The inclusive t¯t production cross section is measured to be σt¯t ¼ 791 25 pb, which constitutes the most precise measurement in the lepton þ jets channel to date.

Results are reported from a search for the lepton flavor violating decay τ → 3μ in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 33.2 fb−1 recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016. The search exploits τ leptons produced in both W boson and heavy-flavor hadron decays. No significant excess above the expected background is observed. An upper limit on the branching fraction ℬ(τ → 3μ) of 8.0 × 10−8 at 90% confidence level is obtained, with an expected upper limit of 6.9 × 10−8.

A measurement is reported of differential top quark pair (t (t) over bar) production cross sections, where top quarks are produced at large transverse momenta. The data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC are from pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The measurement uses events where at least one top quark decays as t -> Wb -> qq(-1)b and is reconstructed as a large-radius jet with transverse momentum in excess of 400 GeV. The second top quark is required to decay either in a similar way or leptonically, as inferred from a reconstructed electron or muon, a bottom quark jet, and missing transverse momentum due to the undetected neutrino. The cross section is extracted as a function of kinematic variables of individual top quarks or of the t (t) over bar system. The results are presented at the particle level, within a region of phase space close to that of the experimental acceptance, and at the parton level and are compared to various theoretical models. In both decay channels, the observed absolute cross sections are significantly lower than the predictions from theory, while the normalized differential measurements are well described.

Measurements of the total and differential fiducial cross sections for the Z boson decaying into two neutrinos are presented at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data were collected by the CMS detector in 2016 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. In these measurements, events are selected containing an imbalance in transverse momentum and one or more energetic jets. The fiducial differential cross section is measured as a function of the Z boson transverse momentum. The results are combined with a previous measurement of charged-lepton decays of the Z boson. The measured total fiducial cross section for events with Z boson transverse momentum greater than 200 GeV is 3000−170+180 fb.

The first measurements of diboson production cross sections in proton-proton interactions at a center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV are reported. They are based on data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 302 pb(-1). Events with two, three, or four charged light leptons (electrons or muons) in the final state are analyzed. The WW, WZ, and ZZ total cross sections are measured as sigma(WW) = 37:0(-5.2)(+5.5) (stat)(-2.6)(+2.7) (syst) pb, sigma(WZ) = 6.4(-2.1)(+2.5) (stat)(-0.3)(+0.5)(syst) pb, and sigma(ZZ) = 5.3(-2.1)(+2.5)(stat)(-0.4)(+0.5) (syst) pb. All measurements are in good agreement with theoretical calculations at combined next-to-next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics and next-to-leading order electroweak accuracy.

A search is performed for the rare decay W± → π±γ in proton-proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV. Data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1 were collected during 2016 to 2018 with the CMS detector. This analysis exploits a novel search strategy based on W boson production in top quark pair events. An inclusive search for the W± → π±γ decay is not optimal at the LHC because of the high trigger thresholds. Instead, a trigger selection is exploited in which the W boson originating from one of the top quarks is used to tag the event in a leptonic decay. The W boson emerging from the other top quark is used to search for the W± → π±γ signature. Such decays are characterized by an isolated track pointing to a large energy deposit, and by an isolated photon of large transverse momentum. The presence of b quark jets reduces the background from the hadronization of light-flavor quarks and gluons. The W± → π±γ decay is not observed. An upper exclusion limit is set to this branching fraction, corresponding to 1.50 × 10−5 at 95% confidence level, whereas the expected upper exclusion limit is 0.85+0.52 −0.29 × 10−5.

The first measurement of the dependence of γγ → μþμ− production on the multiplicity of neutrons emitted very close to the beam direction in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions is reported. Data for leadlead interactions at ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 5.02 TeV, with an integrated luminosity of approximately 1.5 nb−1 , are collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. The azimuthal correlations between the two muons in the invariant mass region 8 < mμμ < 60 GeV are extracted for events including 0, 1, or at least 2 neutrons detected in the forward pseudorapidity range jηj > 8.3. The back-to-back correlation structure from leading-order photon-photon scattering is found to be significantly broader for events with a larger number of emitted neutrons from each nucleus, corresponding to interactions with a smaller impact parameter. This observation provides a data-driven demonstration that the average transverse momentum of photons emitted from relativistic heavy ions has an impact parameter dependence. These results provide new constraints on models of photon-induced interactions in ultraperipheral collisions. They also provide a baseline to search for possible final-state effects on lepton pairs caused by traversing a quark-gluon plasma produced in hadronic heavy ion collisions.

Differential cross sections for the Drell-Yan process, including Z boson production, using the dimuon decay channel are measured in proton-lead (pPb) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 8.16 TeV. A data sample recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 173 nb−1. The differential cross section as a function of the dimuon mass is measured in the range 15–600 GeV, for the first time in proton-nucleus collisions. It is also reported as a function of dimuon rapidity over the mass ranges 15–60 GeV and 60–120 GeV, and ratios for the p-going over the Pb-going beam directions are built. In both mass ranges, the differential cross sections as functions of the dimuon transverse momentum pT and of a geometric variable ϕ* are measured, where ϕ* highly correlates with pT but is determined with higher precision. In the Z mass region, the rapidity dependence of the data indicate a modification of the distribution of partons within a lead nucleus as compared to the proton case. The data are more precise than predictions based upon current models of parton distributions.

Angular distributions of the decay B+→ K∗(892)+μ+μ− are studied using events collected with the CMS detector in s = 8 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.0 fb−1. The forward-backward asymmetry of the muons and the longitudinal polarization of the K∗(892)+ meson are determined as a function of the square of the dimuon invariant mass. These are the first results from this exclusive decay mode and are in agreement with a standard model prediction.

A search is performed for W ' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark in the all-hadronic final state, in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV. The analyzed data were collected by the CMS experiment between 2016 and 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 137fb(-1). Deep neural network algorithms are used to identify the jet initiated by the bottom quark and the jet containing the decay products of the top quark when the W ' boson from the top quark decays hadronically. No excess above the estimated standard model background is observed. Upper limits on the production cross sections of W ' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark are set. Both left- and right-handed W ' bosons with masses below 3.4TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, and the most stringent limits to date on W ' bosons decaying to a top and a bottom quark in the all-hadronic final state are obtained.

The first observation of the electroweak (EW) production of a Z boson, a photon, and two forward jets (Zγjj) in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV is presented. A data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb−1, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016–2018 is used. The measured fiducial cross section for EW Zγjj is σEW ¼ 5.21 0.52ðstatÞ 0.56ðsystÞ fb ¼ 5.21 0.76 fb. Single-differential cross sections in photon, leading lepton, and leading jet transverse momenta, and double-differential cross sections in mjj and jΔηjjj are also measured. Exclusion limits on anomalous quartic gauge couplings are derived at 95% confidence level in terms of the effective field theory operators M0 to M5, M7, T0 to T2, and T5 to T9.

The second-order Fourier coefficients (v(2)) characterizing the azimuthal distributions of Y(1S) and Y(2S) mesons produced in PbPb collisions at root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV are studied. The Y mesons are reconstructed in their dimuon decay channel, as measured by the CMS detector. The collected data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb(-1). The scalar product method is used to extract the v2 coefficients of the azimuthal distributions. Results are reported for the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar < 2.4, in the transverse momentum interval 0 < pT < 50 GeV/c, and in three centrality ranges of 10-30%, 30-50% and 50-90%. In contrast to the J/psi mesons, the measured v(2) values for the Y mesons are found to be consistent with zero. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

The first measurement of the inclusive cross section for top quark pairs (tt) produced in association with two additional charm jets is presented. The analysis uses the dileptonic final states of tt events produced in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 41.5 fb-1, recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. A new charm jet identification algorithm provides input to a neural network that is trained to distinguish among tt events with two additional charm (ttcc), bottom (ttbb), and light-flavour or gluon (ttLL) jets. By means of a template fitting procedure, the inclusive ttcc, ttbb, and ttLL cross sections are simultaneously measured, together with their ratios to the inclusive tt + two jets cross section. This provides measurements of the ttcc and ttbb cross sections of 10.1 +/- 1.2 (stat) +/- 1.4 (syst) pb and 4.54 +/- 0.35 (stat) +/- 0.56 (syst) pb, respectively, in the full phase space. The results are compared and found to be consistent with predictions from two different matrix element generators with next-to-leading order accuracy in quantum chromodynamics, interfaced with a parton shower simulation. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Funded by SCOAP3.