Searching for production of dark matter in association with top quarks at the LHC

Abstract

In the framework of spin-0 $s$-channel dark matter (DM) simplified models, we reassess the sensitivity of future LHC runs to the production of DM in association with top quarks. We consider two different missing transverse energy ($E_T^{\mathrm{miss}}$) signatures, namely production of DM in association with either a $t\bar{t}$ pair or a top quark and a $W$ boson, where the latter channel has not been the focus of a dedicated analysis prior to this work. Final states with two leptons are studied and a realistic analysis strategy is developed that simultaneously takes into account both channels. Compared to other existing search strategies the proposed combination of $t\bar{t}+E_T^{\mathrm{miss}}$ and $tW+E_T^{\mathrm{miss}}$ production provides a significantly improved coverage of the parameter space of spin-0 $s$-channel DM simplified models.

20 pages, 8 figures, 1 table; v2: version accepted by JHEP

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• $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ at the LHC: On the size of off-shell effects and prompt $b$-jet identification
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• Circular polarization of cosmic photons due to their interactions with Sterile neutrino dark matter
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• Search for dark matter produced in association with a single top quark and an energetic $W$ boson in $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV $pp$ collisions with the ATLAS detector
• Dark Matter Searches with Top Quarks