6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
**Tours now open!** Registration is now closed - All registration payments are due before 23:39 SAST on 26 June.

Diphoton Scalar Resonance Search in the $\gamma\gamma + 1\mu$ Channel: Background Composition, Modelling, and Muon Working Point Optimisation with $\mathcal{L} = 164~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of ATLAS Data

8 Jul 2026, 11:40
20m
Lecture Hall GH3 (University of the Western Cape)

Lecture Hall GH3

University of the Western Cape

Oral Presentation Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -2

Speaker

Kgothatso Ntumbe (Universitty of the Witwatersrand(ZA))

Description

A study of the background composition and modelling in a search for scalar resonances in the diphoton-plus-muon ($\gamma\gamma + 1\mu$) final state is presented, using $164~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at $\sqrt{s} = 13.6~\mathrm{TeV}$ during 2022--2024 LHC Run~3 operations. Events are selected by requiring two isolated photons with $p_{\mathrm{T}}(\gamma_{1}) > 35~\mathrm{GeV}$ and $p_{\mathrm{T}}(\gamma_{2}) > 25~\mathrm{GeV}$ satisfying Tight identification and FixedCutLoose isolation, together with at least one muon with $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 10~\mathrm{GeV}$, while vetoing electrons, tau leptons, and $b$-tagged jets. A systematic optimisation of muon working points across Medium and Tight operating points is performed. The background composition from $\gamma\gamma$+jets, $V\gamma\gamma$, $t\bar{t}\gamma\gamma$, and single Higgs production is characterised using stacked Monte Carlo simulation, with signal sensitivity evaluated using a $\gamma\gamma+leptons$ benchmark sample. Preliminary data-to-Monte Carlo comparisons show good agreement. The continuum background in the $m_{\gamma\gamma}$ spectrum is modelled with analytical functional forms, and a spurious signal test validates the chosen parametrisation. The current status and prospects are discussed.

Apply for student award at which level: MSc
Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission Yes, I ACCEPT

Author

Kgothatso Ntumbe (Universitty of the Witwatersrand(ZA))

Co-authors

Mr Arnav Chauhan Baballo-Victor Ndhlovu (University of the Witwatersrand) Bruce Mellado (University of the Witwatersrand and iThemba LABS) Chinedu Nnaji (Wits University) Dr Franscesco Curcio Karabo Mosala (School of Physics and Institute for Collider Particle Physics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Wits 2050, South Africa) Dr Mukesh Kumar (University of the Witwatersrand) Njokweni Mbuyiswa (University of the Witwatersrand) Phuti Rapheeha (University of the Witwatersrand) Rachid Mazini (School of Physics, The University of the Witwatersrand) Dr Shijing Zhang Thapelo Gerry Leboho (University of Witwatersrand) Vuyolwethu Happyboy Kakancu (University of the Witwatersrand)

Presentation materials