Measurements of top-quark pair and single top total cross sections, and in-situ systematic constraints

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent high-precision measurements of top-quark pair and single top production cross sections at the LHC, emphasizing experimental methods and systematic constraints to test the Standard Model and improve understanding of top-quark properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental techniques and systematic uncertainty constraints in top-quark cross section measurements at the LHC.

Findings

Consistent measurements with Standard Model predictions

Improved systematic constraints on lepton isolation efficiencies

Enhanced understanding of top-quark properties

Abstract

Measuring the total cross sections of top-quark pair production and single top processes at high precision tests the predictions of the Standard Model and can bring better understanding of properties such as the top-quark mass, electroweak couplings, lepton universality and proton parton distribution functions. Some of the recent measurements by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider are outlined in this document. Experimental methods are given particular attention, particularly the determination of lepton isolation efficiencies in the ATLAS dilepton measurement of top-quark pair production.