Measurement of differential cross sections for the production of a Z boson in association with jets in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports precise measurements of Z boson production with jets at 13 TeV, comparing experimental data with theoretical predictions to test quantum chromodynamics models.

Contribution

It provides detailed differential cross sections for Z+jets production at 13 TeV, including jet multiplicities and kinematic distributions, with data unfolded to particle level.

Findings

Measurements agree with some Monte Carlo predictions within uncertainties.

Data constrains QCD models and improves understanding of Z+jets processes.

Provides benchmarks for future theoretical and experimental studies.

Abstract

A measurement is presented of the production of Z bosons that decay into two electrons or muons in association with jets, in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data were recorded by the CMS Collaboration at the LHC with an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$. The differential cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum ($p_\mathrm{T}$) of the Z boson and the transverse momentum and rapidities of the five jets with largest $p_\mathrm{T}$. The jet multiplicity distribution is measured for up to eight jets. The hadronic activity in the events is estimated using the scalar sum of the $p_\mathrm{T}$ of all the jets. All measurements are unfolded to the stable particle-level and compared with predictions from various Monte Carlo event generators, as well as with expectations at leading and next-to-leading orders in perturbative quantum chromodynamics.