Search for third-generation vector-like leptons in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\text{TeV}$ with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

A search for vector-like leptons in multilepton (two, three, or four-or-more electrons plus muons) final states with zero or more hadronic $\tau$-lepton decays is presented. The search is performed using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb${}^{-1}$ of proton$-$proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. To maximize the separation of signal and background, a machine-learning classifier is used. No excess of events is observed beyond the Standard Model expectation. Using a doublet vector-like lepton model, vector-like leptons coupling to third-generation Standard Model leptons are excluded in the mass range from 130 GeV to 900 GeV at the 95% confidence level, while the highest excluded mass is expected to be 970 GeV.

48 pages, author list starting on page 29, 6 figures, 11 tables, published as JHEP 07 (2023) 118. All figures including auxiliary figures are available at https://atlas.web.cern.ch/Atlas/GROUPS/PHYSICS/PAPERS/EXOT-2020-07/