Inclusive and differential measurements of the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ cross section and the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ / $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ cross section ratio in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports precise measurements of the top quark pair production with an associated photon at 13 TeV, including cross sections, ratios, and asymmetries, using CMS data from the LHC.

Contribution

First measurements of inclusive and differential $ ext{t}ar{ ext{t}} ext{γ}$ cross sections and ratios at 13 TeV, with results consistent with Standard Model predictions.

Findings

Measured $ ext{t}ar{ ext{t}} ext{γ}$ fiducial cross section: 137 ± 8 fb.

Measured $ ext{t}ar{ ext{t}} ext{γ}$ production ratio: 0.0133 ± 0.0005.

Top quark charge asymmetry: -0.012 ± 0.042, compatible with SM.

Abstract

Inclusive and differential cross section measurements of top quark pair ($\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$) production in association with a photon ($\gamma$) are performed as a function of lepton, photon, top quark, and $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ kinematic observables, using data from proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$, collected at the CERN LHC with the CMS detector. Events containing two leptons (electrons or muons) and a photon in the final state are considered. The fiducial cross section of $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ is measured to be 137 $\pm$ 8 fb, in a phase space including events with a high momentum, isolated photon. The fiducial cross section of $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ is also measured to be 56 $\pm$ 5 fb when considering only events where the photon is emitted in the production part of the process. Both measurements are in agreement with the theoretical predictions, of 126 $\pm$ 19 fb and 57 $\pm$ 5 fb, respectively. Differential measurements are performed at the particle and parton levels. Additionally, inclusive and differential ratios between the cross sections of $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ and $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ production are measured. The inclusive ratio is found to be 0.0133 $\pm$ 0.0005, in agreement with the standard model prediction of 0.0127 $\pm$ 0.0008. The top quark charge asymmetry in $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}\gamma$ production is also measured to be $-$0.012 $\pm$ 0.042, compatible with both the standard model prediction and with no asymmetry.