Azimuthal correlations in Z+jets events in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

TL;DR

This paper measures azimuthal correlations in Z+jets events at 13 TeV proton-proton collisions, comparing results with theoretical predictions to understand parton interactions and jet multiplicities.

Contribution

First detailed measurement of azimuthal correlations in Z+jets events at 13 TeV, including effects of multiple parton interactions and jet multiplicities.

Findings

Transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions describe data well in certain regions.

Multiple parton interactions significantly affect low $p_T$(Z) spectra.

Measurements provide insights into parton dynamics and jet production mechanisms.

Abstract

The production of Z bosons associated with jets is measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with data recorded with the CMS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.3 fb$^{-1}$. The multiplicity of jets with transverse momentum $p_\mathrm{T}$ $\gt$ 30 GeV is measured for different regions of the Z boson's $p_\mathrm{T}$(Z), from lower than 10 GeV to higher than 100 GeV. The azimuthal correlation $\Delta \phi$ between the Z boson and the leading jet, as well as the correlations between the two leading jets are measured in three regions of $p_\mathrm{T}$(Z). The measurements are compared with several predictions at leading and next-to-leading orders, interfaced with parton showers. Predictions based on transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions and corresponding parton showers give a good description of the measurement in the regions where multiple parton interactions and higher jet multiplicities are not important. The effects of multiple parton interactions are shown to be important to correctly describe the measured spectra in the low $p_\mathrm{T}$(Z) regions.