Torsion Limits From $t\bar{t}$ Production at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for detecting torsion fields, predicted by extended quantum gravity models, through their resonance signatures in top quark pair production at the LHC, setting limits and future prospects.

Contribution

It provides the first phenomenological analysis of torsion fields interacting with top quarks at the LHC, including current limits and future detection prospects.

Findings

Current LHC data constrains torsion parameters.

Future LHC upgrades could observe torsion resonances.

Torsion detection depends on mass and coupling strength.

Abstract

Torsion models constitute a well known class of extended quantum gravity models. In this work, one investigates the phenomenological consequences of a torsion field interacting with top quarks at the LHC. A torsion field could appear as a new heavy state characterized by its mass and couplings to fermions. This new state would form a resonance decaying into a top anti-top pair. The latest ATLAS $t\bar t$ production results from LHC 13 TeV data are used to set limits on torsion parameters. The integrated luminosity needed to observe torsion resonance at the next LHC upgrades are also evaluated, considering different values for the torsion mass and its couplings to Standard Model fermions. Finally, prospects for torsion exclusion at the future LHC phases II and III are obtained using fast detector simulations.