Limits on Excited Quarks from the ATLAS Multi-jet Search

TL;DR

This paper analyzes ATLAS multi-jet search results to set limits on excited quark masses, finding exclusion below 5 TeV, but highlighting the impact of effective field theory validity on these limits.

Contribution

It provides the first reinterpretation of ATLAS multi-jet data to constrain excited quark masses within an effective field theory framework.

Findings

Excited quark masses below 5 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level.

Effective field theory validity significantly affects the exclusion limits.

Null results from the ATLAS search constrain new physics models involving excited quarks.

Abstract

We interpret the recent ATLAS multi-jet search results using 20.3 fb-1 data at sqrt(s)=8 TeV in the context of searching for excited quarks. Within the effective field theory framework, using the null results of that search, our analysis shows that the excited quark mass below 5 TeV can be excluded at the 95% confidence level. Our analysis also indicates that when the validation of effective field theory is considered, the limit can be largely compromised.