Measurement of differential cross sections for Z bosons produced in association with charm jets in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurements at 13 TeV of differential cross sections for Z bosons produced with charm jets in proton-proton collisions, comparing data with Monte Carlo predictions.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental measurement of Z + charm jet production cross sections at 13 TeV, enhancing understanding of charm quark production in high-energy collisions.

Findings

Inclusive cross section measured as 405.4 pb with uncertainties.

Differential cross sections as functions of Z boson and charm jet pT.

Comparison with Monte Carlo predictions shows consistency within uncertainties.

Abstract

Measurements are presented of differential cross sections for the production of Z bosons in association with at least one jet initiated by a charm quark in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV. The data recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. The final states that contain a pair of electrons or muons that are the decay products of a Z boson, and a jet consistent with being initiated by a charm quark produced in the hard interaction. Differential cross sections as a function of the $p_\mathrm{T}$ of the Z boson and $p_\mathrm{T}$ of the charm jet are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo event generators. The inclusive production cross section 405.4 $\pm$ 5.6 (stat) $\pm$ 24.3 (exp) $\pm$ 3.7 (theo) pb, is measured in a fiducial region requiring both leptons to have $\vert\eta\vert$ $\lt$ 2.4 and $p_\mathrm{T}$ $\gt$ 10 GeV, at least one lepton with $p_\mathrm{T}$ $\gt$ 26 GeV, and a mass of the pair in the range 71-111 GeV, while the charm jet is required to have $p_\mathrm{T}$ $\gt$ 30 GeV and $\vert\eta\vert$ $\lt$ 2.4. These are the first measurements of these cross sections in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV.