Search for a scalar partner of the top quark in the jets plus missing transverse momentum final state at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV with the ATLAS detector
Here, a search for pair production of a scalar partner of the top quark in events with four or more jets plus missing transverse momentum is presented. An analysis of 36.1 fb –1 of √s=13 TeV proton-proton collisions collected using the ATLAS detector at the LHC yields no significant excess over the expected Standard Model background. To interpret the results a simplified supersymmetric model is used where the top squark is assumed to decay via t ~ 1 →t (*) χ ~0 1 and t ~ 1 →bχ ~ ± 1 →bW (*) χ ~0 1 , where χ 1 0 (χ 1 ± ) denotes the lightest neutralino (chargino). Exclusion limits are placed in terms of the top-squark and neutralino masses. Assuming a branching ratio of 100% to tχ ~0 1 , top-squark masses in the range 450–1000 GeV are excluded for χ ~0 1 masses below 160 GeV. In the case where m y- 1 ~ m t +m -0 χ1 , top-squark masses in the range 235–590 GeV are excluded.