Search for supersymmetry in events with at least one photon, missing transverse momentum, and large transverse event activity in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV

TL;DR

This study searches for signs of supersymmetry in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV, focusing on events with photons and missing transverse energy, but finds no evidence and sets exclusion limits on gluino and squark masses.

Contribution

First search for supersymmetry with photon and missing energy signatures at 13 TeV, setting new mass exclusion limits for gluinos and squarks.

Findings

No significant excess over standard model background.

Excluded gluino masses up to 2.00 TeV.

Excluded squark masses up to 1.65 TeV.

Abstract

A search for physics beyond the standard model in final states with at least one photon, large transverse momentum imbalance, and large total transverse event activity is presented. Such topologies can be produced in gauge-mediated supersymmetry models in which pair-produced gluinos or squarks decay to photons and gravitinos via short-lived neutralinos. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 inverse femtobarns of proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016. No significant excess of events above the expected standard model background is observed. The data are interpreted in simplified models of gluino and squark pair production, in which gluinos or squarks decay via neutralinos to photons. Gluino masses of up to 1.50-2.00 TeV and squark masses up to 1.30-1.65 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, depending on the neutralino mass and branching fraction.