Search for the rare decay of the W boson into a pion and a photon in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV
Abstract
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 137fb−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 0.85−0.29+0.52×10−5. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000499550Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Physics Letters BVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
ElsevierSubject
CMS; Standard model; EWKOrganisational unit
03593 - Dissertori, Günther / Dissertori, Günther
03904 - Wallny, Rainer / Wallny, Rainer
09720 - de Cosa, Annapaola / de Cosa, Annapaola
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