Abstract: This paper discusses various observations on beam-induced and cosmic-ray backgrounds in the ATLAS detector during the LHC 2012 proton-proton run. Building on published results based on 2011 data, the correlations between background and residual pressure of the beam vacuum are revisited. Ghost charge evolution over 2012 and its role for backgrounds are evaluated. New methods to monitor ghost charge with beam-gas rates are presented and observations of LHC abort gap population by ghost charge are discussed in detail. Fake jets from colliding bunches and from ghost charge are analysed with improved methods, showing that ghost charge in individual radio-frequency buckets of the LHC can be resolved. Some results of two short periods of dedicated cosmic-ray background data-taking are shown; in particular cosmic-ray muon induced fake jet rates are compared to Monte Carlo simulations and to the fake jet rates from beam background. A thorough analysis of a particular LHC fill, where abnormally high background was observed, is presented. Correlations between backgrounds and beam intensity losses in special fills with very high beta* are studied.

Abstract: Differential cross sections are presented for the prompt and non-prompt production of the hidden-charm states X(3872) and psi(2S), in the decay mode J/psi pi (+) pi (-), measured using 11.4 fb(-1) of pp collisions at root s = 8 Tev by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The ratio of cross-sections X(3872)/psi(2S) is also given, separately for prompt and non-prompt components, as well as the non-prompt fractions of X(3872) and psi(2S). Assuming independent single effective lifetimes for non-prompt X(3872) and psi(2S) production gives separating short- and long-lived contributions, assuming that the short-lived component is due to B (c) decays, gives R (B) = (3.57 +/- 0.33(stat) +/- 0.11(sys)) x 10(-2), with the fraction of non-prompt X(3872) produced via B (c) decays for p (T)(X(3872)) > 10 GeV being (25 +/- 13(stat) +/- 2(sys) +/- 5(spin))%. The distributions of the dipion invariant mass in the X(3872) and psi(2S) decays are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.

Abstract: A measurement of the B-s(0) decay parameters in the B-s(0) -> J/psi/phi channel using an integrated luminosity of 14.3 fb(-1) collected by the ATLAS detector from 8TeV pp collisions at the LHC is presented. The measured parameters include the CP-violating phase phi(s), the decay width Gamma(s) and the width di ff erence between the mass eigenstates Delta Gamma(s). The values measured for the physical parameters are statistically combined with those from 4.9 fb-1 of 7TeV data, leading to the following: phi(s) = -0.090 +/- 0.078 (stat.) +/- 0.041 (syst.) rad Delta Gamma s = 0.085 +/- 0.011 (stat.) +/- 0.007 (syst.) ps(-1) Gamma(s) = 0.675 +/- 0.003 (stat.) +/- 0.003 (syst:) ps(-1). In the analysis the parameter Delta Gamma(s) is constrained to be positive. Results for phi(s) and Delta Gamma(s) are also presented as 68% and 95% likelihood contours in the phi(s)-Delta Gamma(s) plane. Also measured in this decay channel are the transversity amplitudes and corresponding strong phases. All measurements are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions.

Abstract: The transverse polarization of Lambda and (Lambda) over bar hyperons produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is measured. The analysis uses 760 μb(-1) of minimum bias data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in the year 2010. The measured transverse polarization averaged over Feynman x(F) from 5 x 10(-5) to 0.01 and transverse momentum p(T) from 0.8 to 15 GeV is -0.010 +/- 0.005(stat) +/- 0.004(syst) for Lambda and 0.002 +/- 0.006(stat) +/- 0.004(syst) for (Lambda) over bar. It is also measured as a function of x(F) and p(T), but no significant dependence on these variables is observed. Prior to this measurement, the polarization was measured at fixed-target experiments with center-of-mass energies up to about 40 GeV. The ATLAS results are compatible with the extrapolation of a fit from previous measurements to the x(F) range covered by this measurement.

Abstract: The results of a dedicated search for pair production of scalar partners of charm quarks are reported. The search is based on an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb(-1) of pp collisions at root s = 8 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The search is performed using events with large missing transverse momentum and at least two jets, where the two leading jets are each tagged as originating from c quarks. Events containing isolated electrons or muons are vetoed. In an R-parity-conserving minimal super-symmetric scenario in which a single scalar-charm state is kinematically accessible, and where it decays exclusively into a charm quark and a neutralino, 95% confidence-level upper limits are obtained in the scalar-charm-neutralino mass plane such that, for neutralino masses below 200 GeV, scalar-charm masses up to 490 GeV are excluded.