Abstract: The flavour-tagging algorithms developed by the AvTLAS Collaboration and used to analyse its dataset of root s = 13 TeV pp collisions from Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider are presented. These new tagging algorithms are based on recurrent and deep neural networks, and their performance is evaluated in simulated collision events. These developments yield considerable improvements over previous jet-flavour identification strategies. At the 77% b-jet identification efficiency operating point, light-jet (charm-jet) rejection factors of 170 (5) are achieved in a sample of simulated Standard Model t (t) over bar events; similarly, at a c-jet identification efficiency of 30%, a light-jet (b-jet) rejection factor of 70 (9) is obtained.

Abstract: This paper presents measurements of charged-hadron spectra obtained in pp, p+Pb, and Pb+Pb collisions at root s or root s(NN) = 5.02TeV, and in Xe+Xe collisions at root s(NN) = 5.44TeV. The data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC have total integrated luminosities of 25 pb(-1), 28 nb(-1), 0.50 nb(-1), and 3 μb(-1), respectively. The nuclear modification factors RpPb and R-AA are obtained by comparing the spectra in heavy-ion and pp collisions in a wide range of charged-particle transverse momenta and pseudorapidity. The nuclear modification factor RpPb shows a moderate enhancement above unity with a maximum at p(T) approximate to 3 GeV; the enhancement is stronger in the Pb-going direction. The nuclear modification factors in both Pb+Pb and Xe+Xe collisions feature a significant, centrality-dependent suppression. They show a similar distinct p(T)-dependence with a local maximum at p(T) approximate to 2 GeV and a local minimum at p(T) approximate to 7 GeV. This dependence is more distinguishable in more central collisions. No significant eta |-dependence is found. A comprehensive comparison with several theoretical predictions is also provided. They typically describe RAA better in central collisions and in the pT range from about 10 to 100 GeV.

Abstract: This paper presents a search for dark matter, chi, using events with a single top quark and an energetic W boson. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS experiment at root s = 13 TeV during LHC Run 2 (2015-2018), corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb(-1). The search considers final states with zero or one charged lepton (electron or muon), at least one b-jet and large missing transverse momentum. In addition, a result from a previous search considering two-charged-lepton final states is included in the interpretation of the results. The data are found to be in good agreement with the Standard Model predictions and the results are interpreted in terms of 95% confidence-level exclusion limits in the context of a class of dark matter models involving an extended two-Higgs-doublet sector together with a pseudoscalar mediator particle. The search is particularly sensitive to on-shell production of the charged Higgs boson state, H-+/-, arising from the two-Higgs-doublet mixing, and its semi-invisible decays via the mediator particle, a: H-+/- -> W(+/-)a(-> chi chi). Signal models with H-+/- masses up to 1.5 TeV and a masses up to 350 GeV are excluded assuming a tan beta value of 1. For masses of a of 150 (250) GeV, tan beta values up to 2 are excluded for H-+/- masses between 200 (400) GeV and 1.5 TeV. Signals with tan beta values between 20 and 30 are excluded for H-+/- masses between 500 and 800 GeV.