Engineering topics

Aoki, T. (ORCID:0000000266185170)

Publications and source records attributed to Aoki, T. (ORCID:0000000266185170).

At least 19 records

DOE OSTI2026

Search for Higgs bosons produced in association with a high-energy photon via vector-boson fusion and decaying to a pair of b -quarks in the ATLAS detector

A search for Standard Model Higgs bosons produced in association with a high-energy photon and decaying to $b\bar{b}$ is performed using 133 fb −1 of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV pp collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The photon requirement reduces the multijet background, and the H → $b\bar{b}$ decay is the dominant decay mode. Event selection requirements target events produced by vector-boson fusion, the dominant production mode in this channel. Several improvements enhance the search sensitivity compared to previous measurements. These improvements include better background modelling and characterization, the use of a neural-network classifier, and an updated signal extraction strategy adopting a direct binned-likelihood fit to the classifier output. With these improvements, the Higgs boson signal strength is measured to be 0.2 ± 0.7 relative to the Standard Model prediction. This corresponds to an observed significance of 0.3 standard deviations, compared to an expectation of 1.5 standard deviations assuming the Standard Model.

ATLAS experiment↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of substructure-dependent suppression of large-radius jets with charged particles in Pb+Pb collisions with ATLAS

Measurements of jet substructure in Pb+Pb collisions provide key insights into the mechanism of jet quenching in the hot and dense QCD medium created in these collisions. This Letter presents a measurement of the suppression of large-radius jets with a radius parameter of $R = 1.0$ and its dependence on the jet substructure. The measurement uses 1.72 nb$^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb data and 255 pb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ data, both at $\sqrt{s_{_\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Large-radius jets are reconstructed by reclustering $R = 0.2$ calorimetric jets and are measured for transverse momentum above $200$ GeV. Jet substructure is evaluated using charged-particle tracks, and the overall level of jet suppression is quantified using the jet nuclear modification factor ($R_\mathrm{AA}$). The jet $R_\mathrm{AA}$ is measured as a function of jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$, the charged $k_t$ splitting scale ($\sqrt{d_{12}}$), and the angular separation ($dR_{12}$) of two leading sub-jets. The jet $R_\mathrm{AA}$ gradually decreases with increasing $\sqrt{d_{12}}$, implying significantly stronger suppression of large-radius jets with larger $k_t$ splitting scale. The jet $R_\mathrm{AA}$ gradually decreases for $dR_{12}$ in the range $0.01{-}0.2$ and then remains consistent with a constant for $ΔR_{12} \gtrsim 0.2$. The observed significant dependence of jet suppression on the jet substructure will provide new insights into its role in the quenching process.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Constraining off-shell Higgs boson production and the Higgs boson total width using WW → ℓνℓν final states with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of off-shell Higgs boson production is performed in the H* → WW channel. The measurement uses a proton–proton collision dataset with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Final states in which both W bosons decay leptonically are targeted, and events are categorised based on the flavour of the final-state leptons, the jet multiplicity, and the output of neural network-based classifiers. The data are found to be compatible with the Standard Model expectation. An observed (expected) upper bound on the 95 % symmetric confidence level interval is set on the rate of off-shell Higgs boson production at a value of 3.4 (4.4) times the Standard Model prediction. These results are combined with the results from the measurement of on-shell Higgs boson production in the same final states to obtain an observed (expected) upper bound at 95 % confidence level on the Higgs boson total width of 13.1 (17.3) MeV.

Aad, G. [Aix-Marseille Univ., Marseille (France)] ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Search for Higgs boson exotic decays into Lorentz-boosted light bosons in the four-τ final state at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 with the ATLAS detector

A search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson into a pair of low-mass scalars that subsequently decay into τ-leptons, H → aa → τ + τ – τ + τ – , is presented. In models with Yukawa-like couplings, the decay to τ-leptons is favoured for light a-bosons, with mass in the range of 2m τ < m a < 2m b . Results are presented in the range of 4 GeV < m a < 15 GeV using the 140 fb –1 of proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. This search focuses on the scenario where, for both di-τ pairs, one of the τ-leptons decays to hadrons and neutrinos, while the other decays to a muon and neutrinos. In this mass range, the a → τ + τ – is Lorentz-boosted and a dedicated muon removal technique is used to reconstruct the di-τ pairs.

BSM Higgs↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of the top quark mass with the ATLAS detector using $t\bar{t}$ events with a high transverse momentum top quark

Journal article.The mass of the top quark is measured using top-quark-top-antiquark pair events with high transverse momentum top quarks. The dataset, collected with the ATLAS detector in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV delivered by the Large Hadron Collider, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb −1 . The analysis targets events in the lepton-plus-jets decay channel, with an electron or muon from a semi-leptonically decaying top quark and a hadronically decaying top quark that is sufficiently energetic to be reconstructed as a single large-radius jet. The mean of the invariant mass of the reconstructed large-radius jet provides the sensitivity to the top quark mass and is simultaneously fitted with two additional observables to reduce the impact of the systematic uncertainties. The top quark mass is measured to be m t = 172.95 ± 0.53 GeV, which is the most precise ATLAS measurement from a single channel.

Aad, G. (ORCID:0000000266654934)↗

DOE OSTI2025

Observation of VVZ production at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for the production of three massive vector bosons, VVZ(V = W, Z) , in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV is performed using data with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events produced in the leptonic final states WWZ → ℓvℓvℓℓ (ℓ = e,μ), WZZ → ℓvℓℓℓℓ, ZZZ → ℓℓℓℓℓ, and the semileptonic final states WWZ → qq ℓvℓℓ and WZZ → ℓv qq ℓℓ, are analysed. The measured cross section for the pp → VVZ process is 660$^{+93}_{-90}$(stat.)$^{+80}_{-81}$(syst.) fb, and the observed (expected) significance is 6.4 (4.7) standard deviations, representing the observation of VVZ production. In addition, the measured cross section for the pp → WWZ process is 442 ± 94(stat.)$^{+60}_{-52}$(syst.) fb, and the observed (expected) significance is 4.4 (3.6) standard deviations, representing evidence of WWZ production. The measured cross sections are consistent with the Standard Model predictions. Constraints on physics beyond the Standard Model are also derived in the effective field theory framework by setting limits on Wilson coefficients for dimension-8 operators describing anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings.

Aad, G. (ORCID:0000000266654934)↗

DOE OSTI2025

Expected tracking performance of the ATLAS Inner Tracker at the High-Luminosity LHC

The high-luminosity phase of LHC operations (HL-LHC), will feature a large increase in simultaneous proton-proton interactions per bunch crossing up to 200, compared with a typical leveling target of 64 in Run 3. Such an increase will create a very challenging environment in which to perform charged particle trajectory reconstruction, a task crucial for the success of the ATLAS physics program, and will exceed the capabilities of the current ATLAS Inner Detector (ID). A new all-silicon Inner Tracker (ITk) will replace the current ID in time for the start of the HL-LHC. To ensure successful use of the ITk capabilities in Run 4 and beyond, the ATLAS tracking software has been successfully adapted to achieve state-of-the-art track reconstruction in challenging high-luminosity conditions with the ITk detector. This paper presents the expected tracking performance of the ATLAS ITk based on the latest available developments since the ITk technical design reports.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Operation and performance of the ATLAS tile calorimeter in LHC Run 2

The ATLAS tile calorimeter (TileCal) is the hadronic sampling calorimeter covering the central region of the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This paper gives an overview of the calorimeter’s operation and performance during the years 2015–2018 (Run 2). In this period, ATLAS collected proton–proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and the TileCal was 99.65% efficient for data-taking. The signal reconstruction, the calibration procedures, and the detector operational status are presented. The performance of two ATLAS trigger systems making use of TileCal information, the minimum-bias trigger scintillators and the tile muon trigger, is discussed. Studies of radiation effects allow the degradation of the output signals at the end of the LHC and HL-LHC operations to be estimated. Finally, the TileCal response to isolated muons, hadrons and jets from proton–proton collisions is presented. The energy and time calibration methods performed excellently, resulting in good stability and uniformity of the calorimeter response during Run 2. The setting of the energy scale was performed with an uncertainty of 2%. The results demonstrate that the performance is in accordance with specifications defined in the Technical Design Report.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Precise measurements of W - and Z -boson transverse momentum spectra with the ATLAS detector using pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV and 13 TeV

This paper describes measurements of the transverse momentum spectra of W and Z bosons produced in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Measurements are performed in the electron and muon channels, W → $\ell$$v$ and Z → $\ell$$\ell$ ($\ell$ = e or μ), and for W events further separated by charge. The data were collected in 2017 and 2018, in dedicated runs with reduced instantaneous luminosity, and correspond to 255 and 338 pb -1 at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and 13 TeV, respectively. These conditions optimise the reconstruction of the W-boson transverse momentum. The distributions observed in the electron and muon channels are unfolded, combined, and compared to QCD calculations based on parton shower Monte Carlo event generators and analytical resummation. The description of the transverse momentum distributions by Monte Carlo event generators is imperfect and shows significant differences largely common to W - , W + and Z production. The agreement is better at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV, especially for predictions that were tuned to Z production data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. Higher-order, resummed predictions based on DYTurbo generally match the data best across the spectra. Distribution ratios are also presented and test the understanding of differences between the production processes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for leptoquark pair production decaying into $te^- \bar{t}e^+$ or $t\mu ^- \bar{t}\mu ^+$ in multi-lepton final states in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13\,\textrm{TeV}$ with the ATLAS detector

A search for leptoquark pair production decaying into $te^- \bar{t}e^+$ or $t\mu ^- \bar{t}\mu ^+$ in final states with multiple leptons is presented. The search is based on a dataset of pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13~\text {TeV}$ recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 . Four signal regions, with the requirement of at least three light leptons (electron or muon) and at least two jets out of which at least one jet is identified as coming from a b-hadron, are considered based on the number of leptons of a given flavour. The main background processes are estimated using dedicated control regions in a simultaneous fit with the signal regions to data. No excess above the Standard Model background prediction is observed and 95% confidence level limits on the production cross section times branching ratio are derived as a function of the leptoquark mass. Under the assumption of exclusive decays into $te^{-}$ ($t\mu ^{-}$ ), the corresponding lower limit on the scalar mixed-generation leptoquark mass $m_{\textrm{LQ}_{\textrm{mix}}^{\textrm{d}}}$ is at 1.58 (1.59) TeV and on the vector leptoquark mass $m_{{\tilde{U}}_1}$ at 1.67 (1.67) TeV in the minimal coupling scenario and at 1.95 (1.95) TeV in the Yang–Mills scenario.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for pair-produced higgsinos decaying via Higgs or Z bosons to final states containing a pair of photons and a pair of b -jets with the ATLAS detector

A search is presented for the pair production of higgsinos $\tilde{X}$ in gauge-mediated supersymmetry models, where the lightest neutralinos $\tilde{X}^{0}_{1}$ decay into a light gravitino $\tilde{G}$ in association with either a Higgs h or a Z boson. The search is performed with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider using 139 fb -1 of proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13TeV. It targets final states in which a Higgs boson decays into a photon pair, while the other Higgs or Z boson decays into a $b\overline{b}$ pair, with missing transverse momentum associated with the two gravitinos. Search regions dependent on the amount of missing transverse momentum are defined by the requirements that the diphoton mass should be consistent with the mass of the Higgs boson, and the $b\overline{b}$ mass with the mass of the Higgs or Z boson. The main backgrounds are estimated with data-driven methods using the sidebands of the diphoton mass distribution. No excesses beyond Standard Model expectations are observed and higgsinos with masses up to 320 GeV are excluded, assuming a branching fraction of 100% for $\tilde{X}^{0}_{1}$ → h$\tilde{G}$. This analysis excludes higgsinos with masses of 130GeV for branching fractions to h$\tilde{G}$ as low as 36%, thus providing complementarity to previous ATLAS searches in final states with multiple leptons or multiple b-jets, targeting different decays of the electroweak bosons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for light long-lived neutral particles from Higgs boson decays via vector-boson-fusion production from pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is reported for long-lived dark photons with masses between 0.1 GeV and 15 GeV, from exotic decays of Higgs bosons produced via vector-boson-fusion. Events that contain displaced collimated Standard Model fermions reconstructed in the calorimeter or muon spectrometer are probed. This search uses the full LHC Run 2 (2015–2018) data sample collected in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb –1 . Dominant backgrounds from Standard Model processes and non-collision sources are estimated using data-driven techniques. The observed event yields in the signal regions are consistent with the expected background. Upper limits on the Higgs boson to dark photon branching fraction are reported as a function of the dark photon mean proper decay length or of the dark photon mass and the coupling between the Standard Model and the potential dark sector. This search is combined with previous ATLAS searches obtained in the gluon–gluon fusion and WH production modes. A branching fraction above 10% is excluded at 95% CL for a 125 GeV Higgs boson decaying into two dark photons for dark photon mean proper decay lengths between 173 and 1296 mm and mass of 10 GeV.

Aad, G. (ORCID:0000000266654934)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Combination and summary of ATLAS dark matter searches interpreted in a 2HDM with a pseudo-scalar mediator using 139 fb -1 of $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV $pp$ collision data

Results from a wide range of searches targeting different experimental signatures with and without missing transverse momentum ($E^{miss}_T$) ) are used to constrain a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) with an additional pseudo-scalar mediating the interaction between ordinary and dark matter (2HDM+a). The analyses use up to 139 fb -1 of proton–proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider during 2015–2018. The results from three of the most sensitive searches are combined statistically. These searches target signatures with large $E^{miss}_T$ and a leptonically decaying Z boson; large $E^{miss}_T$ and a Higgs boson decaying to bottom quarks; and production of charged Higgs bosons in final states with top and bottom quarks, respectively. Constraints are derived for several common and new benchmark scenarios in the 2HDM+a.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of the VH,H → ττ process with the ATLAS detector at 13 TeV

A measurement of the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with a W or Z boson and decaying into a pair of τ-leptons is presented. This search is based on proton-proton collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 . For the Higgs boson candidate, only final states with at least one τ-lepton decaying hadronically (τ→hadrons+ν τ ) are considered. For the vector bosons, only leptonic decay channels are considered: Z→ℓℓ and W→ℓν ℓ , with ℓ=e,μ. An excess of events over the expected background is found with an observed (expected) significance of 4.2 (3.6) standard deviations, providing evidence of the Higgs boson produced in association with a vector boson and decaying into a pair of τ-leptons. The ratio of the measured cross-section to the Standard Model prediction is μ$_{VH}^{ττ}$=1.28$_{-0.29}^{+0.30}$(stat.)$_{-0.21}^{+0.25}$(syst.). This result represents the most accurate measurement of the VH(ττ) process achieved to date.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

The ATLAS trigger system for LHC Run 3 and trigger performance in 2022

The ATLAS trigger system is a crucial component of the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. It is responsible for selecting events in line with the ATLAS physics programme. This paper presents an overview of the changes to the trigger and data acquisition system during the second long shutdown of the LHC, and shows the performance of the trigger system and its components in the proton-proton collisions during the 2022 commissioning period as well as its expected performance in proton-proton and heavy-ion collisions for the remainder of the third LHC data-taking period (2022–2025).

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Combination of Searches for Resonant Higgs Boson Pair Production Using p p Collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A combination of searches for a new resonance decaying into a Higgs boson pair is presented, using up to 139 fb − 1 of p p collision data at s = 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The combination includes searches performed in three decay channels: b b ¯ b b ¯ , b b ¯ τ + τ − , and b b ¯ γ γ . No excess above the expected Standard Model background is observed and upper limits are set at the 95% confidence level on the production cross section of Higgs boson pairs originating from the decay of a narrow scalar resonance with mass in the range 251 GeV–5 TeV. The observed (expected) limits are in the range 0.96–600 fb (1.2–390 fb). The limits are interpreted in the type-I two-Higgs-doublet model and the minimal supersymmetric standard model, and constrain parameter space not previously excluded by other searches. © 2024 CERN, for the ATLAS Collaboration 2024 CERN

Aad, G. (ORCID:0000000266654934)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of ZZ production cross-sections in the four-lepton final state in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13.6 TeV with the ATLAS experiment

This paper reports cross-section measurements of ZZ production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13.6 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The data were collected by the ATLAS detector in 2022, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 29 fb -1 . Events in the ZZ → 4ℓ(ℓ = e, μ) final states are selected and used to measure the inclusive and differential cross-sections in a fiducial region defined close to the analysis selections. The inclusive cross-section is further extrapolated to the total phase space with a requirement of 66 < m Z < 116 GeV for both Z bosons, yielding 16.8 ± 1.1 pb. The results are well described by the Standard Model predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for pair-production of vector-like quarks in lepton+jets final states containing at least one b -tagged jet using the Run 2 data from the ATLAS experiment

A search is presented for the pair-production of heavy vector-like quarks in the lepton+jets final state using 140 fb -1 of proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector. The search is optimised for vector-like top-quarks (T) that decay into a W boson and a b-quark, with one W boson decaying leptonically and the other hadronically. Other vector-like quark flavours and decay modes are also considered. Events are selected with one high transverse-momentum electron or muon, large missing transverse momentum, a large-radius jet identified as a W boson, and multiple small-radius jets, at least one of which is b-tagged. Vector-like T-quarks with 100% branching ratio to Wb are excluded at 95% CL for masses below 1700 GeV. These limits are also applied to vector-like Y-quarks, which decay exclusively into a W boson and a b-quark. Isospin singlets with B(T→Wb:Ht:Zt)=1/2:1/4:1/4 are excluded for masses below 1360 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗