Abstract: This paper describes a search for beyond the Standard Model decays of the Higgs boson into a pair of new spin-0 particles subsequently decaying into b-quark pairs, H -> aa (b (b) over bar)(b (b) over bar), using proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at center-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV. This search focuses on the range 15 GeV <= m(a) <= 30 GeV, where the decay products are collimated; it is complementary to a previous search in the same final state targeting the range 20 GeV <= m(a) <= 60 GeV, where the decay products are well separated. A novel strategy for the identification of the a -> b (b) over bar decays is deployed to enhance the efficiency for topologies with small separation angles. The search is performed with 36 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected in 2015 and 2016 and sets upper limits on the production cross section of H -> as -> (b (b) over bar)(b (b) over bar), where the Higgs boson is produced in association with a Z boson.

Abstract: A search is performed for the electroweak pair production of charginos and associated production of a chargino and neutralino, each of which decays through an R-parity-violating coupling into a lepton and a W, Z, or Higgs boson. The trilepton invariant-mass spectrum is constructed from events with three or more leptons, targeting chargino decays that include an electron or muon and a leptonically decaying Z boson. The analyzed dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb(-1) of proton-proton collision data produced by the Large Hadron Collider at a center-of-mass energy of root s = 13 TeV and collected by the ATLAS experiment between 2015 and 2018. The data are found to be consistent with predictions from the Standard Model. The results are interpreted as limits at 95% confidence level on model-independent cross sections for processes beyond the Standard Model. Limits are also set on the production of charginos and neutralinos for a minimal supersymmetric Standard Model with an approximate B – L symmetry. Charginos and neutralinos with masses between 100 and 1100 GeV are excluded depending on the assumed decay branching fractions into a lepton (electron, muon, or tau lepton) plus a boson (W, Z, or Higgs).

Abstract: A search is presented for production of dark-matter particles recoiling against a leptonically decaying Z boson in 20.3 fb(-1) of pp collisions at root s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with large missing transverse momentum and two oppositely charged electrons or muons consistent with the decay of a Z boson are analyzed. No excess above the Standard Model prediction is observed. Limits are set on the mass scale of the contact interaction as a function of the dark-matter particle mass using an effective field theory description of the interaction of dark matter with quarks or with Z bosons. Limits are also set on the coupling and mediator mass of a model in which the interaction is mediated by a scalar particle.

Abstract: Measurements of normalized differential cross sections for top-quark pair production are presented as a function of the top-quark transverse momentum, and of the mass, transverse momentum, and rapidity of the t (t) over bar system, in proton proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of root s = 7 TeV. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb(-1), recorded in 2011 with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Events are selected in the lepton jets channel, requiring exactly one lepton and at least four jets with at least one of the jets tagged as originating from a b-quark. The measured spectra are corrected for detector efficiency and resolution effects and are compared to several Monte Carlo simulations and theory calculations. The results are in fair agreement with the predictions in a wide kinematic range. Nevertheless, data distributions are softer than predicted for higher values of the mass of the t (t) over bar system and of the top-quark transverse momentum. The measurements can also discriminate among different sets of parton distribution functions.

Abstract: The ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is used to search for high-mass resonances decaying to dielectron or dimuon final states. Results are presented from an analysis of proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb(-1) in the dimuon channel. A narrow resonance with Standard Model Z couplings to fermions is excluded at 95% confidence level for masses less than 2.79 TeV in the dielectron channel, 2.53 TeV in the dimuon channel, and 2.90 TeV in the two channels combined. Limits on other model interpretations are also presented, including a grand-unification model based on the E-6 gauge group, Z* bosons, minimal Z' models, a spin-2 graviton excitation from Randall-Sundrum models, quantum black holes, and a minimal walking technicolor model with a composite Higgs boson.