Measurement of the sum of WW and WZ production with W+dijet events in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the inclusive WW+WZ diboson production cross section in proton-proton collisions is reported, based on events containing a leptonically decaying W boson and exactly two jets. The data sample, collected at √s = 7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5. 0 fb-1. The measured value of the sum of the inclusive WW and WZ cross sections is σ(pp→WW+WZ)=68. 9±8. 7 (stat.)±9. 7 (syst.)±1. 5 (lum.) pb, consistent with the standard model prediction of 65. 6±2. 2 pb. This is the first measurement of WW+WZ production in pp collisions using this signature. No evidence for anomalous triple gauge couplings is found and upper limits are set on their magnitudes. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Search for heavy quarks decaying into a top quark and a W or Z boson using lepton + jets events in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Results are presented from a search for the pair-production of heavy quarks, QQ̄, that decay exclusively into a top quark and a W or Z boson. The search is performed using a sample of proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb-1, collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment. The signal region is defined using a sample of events containing one electron or muon, missing transverse momentum, and at least four jets with large transverse momenta, where one jet is likely to originate from the decay of a bottom quark. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model expectations. Assuming a strong pair-production mechanism, quark masses below 675 (625) GeV decaying into tW (tZ) are excluded at the 95 % confidence level.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Search for supersymmetry in events with photons and low missing transverse energy in pp collisions at √s=7TeV

Many models of new physics, including versions of supersymmetry (SUSY), predict production of events with low missing transverse energy, electroweak gauge bosons, and many energetic final-state particles. The stealth SUSY model yields this signature while conserving R-parity by means of a new hidden sector in which SUSY is approximately conserved. The results of a general search for new physics, with no requirement on missing transverse energy, in events with two photons and four or more hadronic jets are reported. The study is based on a sample of proton-proton collisions at s=7TeV corresponding to 4.96fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected with the CMS detector in 2011. Based on good agreement between the data and the standard model expectation, the data are used to determine model-independent cross-section limits and a limit on the squark mass in the framework of stealth SUSY. With this first study of its kind, squark masses less than 1430 GeV are excluded at the 95% confidence level. © 2012 CERN.

Search for exotic resonances decaying into WZ/ZZ in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for new exotic particles decaying to the VZ final state is performed, where V is either a W or a Z boson decaying into two overlapping jets and the Z decays into a pair of electrons, muons or neutrinos. The analysis uses a data sample of pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at √s=7 TeV in 2011. No significant excess is observed in the mass distribution of the VZ candidates compared with the background expectation from standard model processes. Model-dependent upper limits at the 95% confidence level are set on the product of the cross section times the branching fraction of hypothetical particles decaying to the VZ final state as a function of mass. Sequential standard model W′ bosons with masses between 700 and 940 GeV are excluded. In the Randall-Sundrum model for graviton resonances with a coupling parameter of 0.05, masses between 750 and 880 GeV are also excluded. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Search for pair production of third-generation leptoquarks and top squarks in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Results are presented from a search for the pair production of third-generation scalar and vector leptoquarks, as well as for top squarks in R-parity-violating supersymmetric models. In either scenario, the new, heavy particle decays into a τ lepton and a b quark. The search is based on a data sample of pp collisions at √s=7 TeV, which is collected by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.8 fb -1. The number of observed events is found to be in agreement with the standard model prediction, and exclusion limits on mass parameters are obtained at the 95% confidence level. Vector leptoquarks with masses below 760 GeV are excluded and, if the branching fraction of the scalar leptoquark decay to a τ lepton and a b quark is assumed to be unity, third-generation scalar leptoquarks with masses below 525 GeV are ruled out. Top squarks with masses below 453 GeV are excluded for a typical benchmark scenario, and limits on the coupling between the top squark, τ lepton, and b quark, λ333′ are obtained. These results are the most stringent for these scenarios to date. © 2013 CERN.

Measurement of the υ(1S), υ(2S), and υ(3S) polarizations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The polarizations of the υ(1S), υ(2S), and υ(3S) mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV, using a data sample of υ(nS)→μ+μ- decays collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb-1. The dimuon decay angular distributions are analyzed in three different polarization frames. The polarization parameters λ™, λφ, and λ, as well as the frame-invariant quantity λ, are presented as a function of the υ(nS) transverse momentum between 10 and 50 GeV, in the rapidity ranges |y|<0.6 and 0.6<|y|<1.2. No evidence of large transverse or longitudinal polarizations is seen in the explored kinematic region. © 2013 CERN.

Study of the mass and spin-parity of the Higgs boson candidate via its decays to Z boson pairs

A study is presented of the mass and spin-parity of the new boson recently observed at the LHC at a mass near 125 GeV. An integrated luminosity of 17.3 fb-1, collected by the CMS experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, is used. The measured mass in the ZZ channel, where both Z bosons decay to e or μ pairs, is 126.2±0.6(stat) ±0.2(syst) GeV. The angular distributions of the lepton pairs in this channel are sensitive to the spin-parity of the boson. Under the assumption of spin 0, the present data are consistent with the pure scalar hypothesis, while disfavoring the pure pseudoscalar hypothesis. © 2013 CERN. Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

Search for supersymmetry in final states with a single lepton, b-quark jets, and missing transverse energy in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search motivated by supersymmetric models with light top squarks is presented using proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of √s=7 TeV during 2011, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.98 fb-1. The analysis is based on final states with a single lepton, b-quark jets, and missing transverse energy. Standard model yields are predicted from data using two different approaches. The observed event numbers are found to be compatible with these predictions. Results are interpreted in the context of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model and of a simplified model with four top quarks in the final state. © 2013 CERN.

Measurement of differential top-quark-pair production cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 7TeV

Normalised differential top-quark-pair production cross sections are measured in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeVat the LHC with the CMS detector using data recorded in 2011 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5. 0 fb-1. The measurements are performed in the lepton+jets decay channels (e+jets and μ+jets) and the dilepton decay channels (e+}e-, μ+μ-, and μ±e∓). The tt̄ differential cross section is measured as a function of kinematic properties of the final-state charged leptons and jets associated to b quarks, as well as those of the top quarks and the tt̄ system. The data are compared with several predictions from perturbative QCD calculations up to approximate next-to-next-to-leading-order precision. No significant deviations from the standard model are observed. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Search for contact interactions using the inclusive jet pT spectrum in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Results are reported of a search for a deviation in the jet production cross section from the prediction of perturbative quantum chromodynamics at next-to-leading order. The search is conducted using a 7 TeV proton-proton data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb-1, collected with the Compact Muon Solenoid detector at the Large Hadron Collider. A deviation could arise from interactions characterized by a mass scale Λ too high to be probed directly at the LHC. Such phenomena can be modeled as contact interactions. No evidence of a deviation is found. Using the CL s criterion, lower limits are set on Λ of 9.9 TeV and 14.3 TeV at 95% confidence level for models with destructive and constructive interference, respectively. Limits obtained with a Bayesian method are also reported. © 2013 CERN.

Crustal growth in the 3.4-2.7Ga São José de Campestre Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil

The Archean (3.45-2.70Ga) rocks of the São José do Campestre Massif (SJCM) in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) make up a small area (~6000km2) and are composed of granitoids and metasupracrustal rocks that define a complex magmatic and deformational history. The massif provides the opportunity to study mantle- and crustal-derived magmas generated since the Palaeoarchean. The orthogneisses of the SJCM are composed of: (1) tonalite to granodiorite with diorite enclaves (Bom Jesus gneiss, 3412±8Ma; TDM Nd model ages from 4.1 to 3.5Ga and negative epsilon Nd values); (2) biotite and ferroan-diopside monzogranite (Presidente Juscelino complex, 3356±21Ma and 3251±44Ma; TDM model ages range from 4.1 to 3.4Ga and epsilon Nd values that are slightly positive to negative); (3) hornblende tonalite to granodiorite (Brejinho complex, 3333±77Ma and 3187±8Ma; dominantly positive epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.6 to 3.2Ga); (4) biotite monzogranite (São Pedro do Potengi gneiss, 3120±22Ma; TDM =3.5Ga; negative epsilon Nd value); (5) ferroan-diopside-grossular anorthosite and metagabbro (Senador Elói de Souza complex, 3033±3Ma); and (6) quartz diorite to syenogranite (São José do Campestre complex; 2685±9Ma and 2655±4Ma; negative epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.9 to 3.3Ga). The orthogneisses are subalkaline to faintly alkaline, magnesian to ferroan, M- and I-type granitoids that follow either the K-enrichment or the trondhjemite trends. Each group has a subset with REE characteristics similar to Archean TTG and another that is analogous to Phanerozoic granitoids. They have negative Ta-Nb and Ti anomalies and have trace element contents of granitoids from subduction zones. Geochemical and Nd isotope data suggest that subducted oceanic crust and a depleted and metasomatised mantle wedge both acted as the magma sources. We propose a convergent tectonic model in which hybridisation of the upper mantle occurs through interactions with adakitic or trondhjemitic melts and recycling of earlier crust. The results imply that both the subducted oceanic crust and the mantle wedge played major roles in continent formation throughout successive episodes of arc accretion in Palaeo- and Mesoarchean times. The Archean rocks of the SJCM shares some similarities with the Pilbara, Kaapvaal, West African, and São Francisco cratons. However, the most reliable comparisons with the SJCM are with the neighbouring basement of the Nigeria and Cameroon shields. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Measurement of the tt̄ production cross section in the τ+jets channel in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

The top-quark pair production cross section in 7 TeV center-of-mass energy proton-proton collisions is measured using data collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The measurement uses events with one jet identified as a hadronically decaying τ lepton and at least four additional energetic jets, at least one of which is identified as coming from a b quark. The analyzed data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.9 fb-1 recorded by a dedicated multijet plus hadronically decaying τ trigger. A neural network has been developed to separate the top-quark pairs from the W+jets and multijet backgrounds. The measured value of σtt̄= 152 ± 12,(stat.) ± 32,(syst.) ±,(lum.) pb is consistent with the standard model predictions. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Search for supersymmetry in events with opposite-sign dileptons and missing transverse energy using an artificial neural network

In this paper, a search for supersymmetry (SUSY) is presented in events with two opposite-sign isolated leptons in the final state, accompanied by hadronic jets and missing transverse energy. An artificial neural network is employed to discriminate possible SUSY signals from a standard model background. The analysis uses a data sample collected with the CMS detector during the 2011 LHC run, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.98 fb-1 of proton-proton collisions at the center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. Compared to other CMS analyses, this one uses relaxed criteria on missing transverse energy (EÌ̧T>40 GeV) and total hadronic transverse energy (HT>120 GeV), thus probing different regions of parameter space. Agreement is found between standard model expectation and observations, yielding limits in the context of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model and on a set of simplified models. © 2013 CERN.

Search for Z′ resonances decaying to tt̄ in dilepton+jets final states in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for resonances decaying to top quark-antiquark pairs is performed using a dilepton+jets data sample recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb-1. No significant deviations from the standard model background are observed. Upper limits are presented for the production cross section times branching fraction of top quark-antiquark resonances for masses from 750 to 3000 GeV. In particular, the existence of a leptophobic topcolor particle Z′ is excluded at the 95% confidence level for resonance masses MZ ′<1.3 TeV for ΓZ′=0.012MZ ′, and M<1.9 TeV for ΓZ′=0.10MZ ′. © 2013 CERN.

Search for pair-produced dijet resonances in four-jet final states in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for the pair production of a heavy, narrow resonance decaying into two jets has been performed using events collected in √s=7 TeV pp collisions with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb-1. Events are selected with at least four jets and two dijet combinations with similar dijet mass. No resonances are found in the dijet mass spectrum. The upper limit at 95% confidence level on the product of the resonance pair production cross section, the branching fractions into dijets, and the acceptance varies from 0.22 to 0.005 pb, for resonance masses between 250 and 1200 GeV. Pair-produced colorons decaying into qq̄ are excluded for coloron masses between 250 and 740 GeV. © 2013 CERN. citation, and DOI.