Search for heavy bottom-like quarks in 4.9 inverse femtobarns of pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for heavy bottom-like quarks in proton-proton collisions at 7 TeV, using CMS data, and sets a mass exclusion limit below 611 GeV based on distinctive multi-lepton signatures.

Contribution

First search for bottom-like quarks decaying exclusively to tW in 7 TeV proton-proton collisions with CMS data, establishing a mass exclusion limit.

Findings

Excluded b' quark masses below 611 GeV at 95% CL

Identified distinctive multi-lepton signatures for b' detection

Compared observed events with standard model background predictions

Abstract

Results are presented from a search for heavy bottom-like quarks, pair-produced in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, undertaken with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The b' quarks are assumed to decay exclusively to tW. The b' anti-b' to t W(+) anti-t W(-) process can be identified by its distinctive signatures of three leptons or two leptons of same charge, and at least one b-quark jet. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 inverse femtobarns, observed events are compared to the standard model background predictions, and the existence of b' quarks having masses below 611 GeV is excluded at 95% confidence level.