Top Quarks as a Window to String Resonances

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of detecting string resonances at the LHC through top quark pair production, emphasizing unique kinematic features and the advantages of the $tar{t}$ channel for identifying new physics.

Contribution

It demonstrates that string resonances below 4 TeV can be identified via top pair production, utilizing invariant mass and angular distribution analyses.

Findings

String resonances below 4 TeV are detectable in the $tar{t}$ channel.

Unique angular distributions can distinguish string resonances from other new physics.

Top quark decay reconstruction techniques enhance detection prospects.

Abstract

We study the discovery potential of string resonances decaying to $t\bar{t}$ final state at the LHC. We point out that top quark pair production is a promising and an advantageous channel for studying such resonances, due to their low Standard Model background and unique kinematics. We study the invariant mass distribution and angular dependence of the top pair production cross section via exchanges of string resonances. The mass ratios of these resonances and the unusual angular distribution may help identify their fundamental properties and distinguish them from other new physics. We find that string resonances for a string scale below 4 TeV can be detected via the $t\bar{t}$ channel, either from reconstructing the $t\bar{t}$ semi-leptonic decay or recent techniques in identifying highly boosted tops.