Search for narrow resonances in the b-tagged dijet mass spectrum in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 8 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for narrow bottom quark-antiquark resonances in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV, setting new limits on possible new particles in the 325-1200 GeV mass range.

Contribution

It introduces a novel trigger strategy to extend resonance searches to lower masses and provides the most stringent limits in the 325-500 GeV range.

Findings

No significant excess observed above background.

Limits set on cross section times branching ratio for various spin resonances.

Improved constraints compared to previous searches in the 325-500 GeV range.

Abstract

A search for narrow resonances decaying to bottom quark-antiquark pairs is presented, using a data sample of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 8 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb$^{-1}$. The search is extended to masses lower than those reached in typical searches for resonances decaying into jet pairs at the LHC, by taking advantage of triggers that identify jets originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of events is observed above the background predictions. Limits are set on the product of cross section and branching fraction to bottom quarks for spin 0, 1, and 2 resonances in the mass range of 325-1200 GeV. These results significantly improve on the limits for resonances decaying into jet pairs in the 325-500 GeV mass range.