Speakers
Description
Studies at the $Z$-pole have played an important role in developing our understanding of the Standard Model (SM). Continuing the explorations in this regime, we consider the possibility of the production of two $b$-quarks and a photon in proton-proton collisions at the HL-LHC. While such a final state is possible in the SM by means of the process $Z\rightarrow b\bar b$ decay with a radiated photon, the focus is on extracting its possible origins due to beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. The signal topology can be broadly identified as $Z\rightarrow \Phi\gamma\rightarrow b\bar b\gamma$, where $\Phi$ can either be a Spin-0 or Spin-2 state with a mass less than that of the $Z$ boson. The analysis is characterized by two relatively low $p_T$ $b$-tagged jets in association with an isolated photon. While considering an appropriate cross-trigger for the HLT, we study the reach of this signal for different masses of $\Phi$. The eventual mass-dependent sensitivity also underscores the importance of improving soft object reconstruction that may result from light new physics states.
| Track | BSM-1: TeV Scale and prompt signatures |
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