2025/10/16 by Thallapalli, T., Alpana, A., Iyer, A. M. +1
#FOS: Physical sciences #High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2510.14597
Studies at the Z-pole have played an important role in developing our understanding of the Standard Model (SM). Continuing the explorations in this regime, we consider the possibility of the production of two b-quarks and a photon in proton-proton collisions at the HL-LHC. While such a final state is possible in the SM by means of the process Z→ b b decay with a radiated photon, the focus is on extracting its possible origins due to beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. The signal topology can be broadly identified as Z→ Φγ→ b bγ, where Φ can either be a spin-0 or spin-2 state with a mass less than that of the Z boson.The analysis is characterised by two relatively low pT jets that are required to be b-tagged jets and an isolated photon. The study provides a quantitative framework for their identification and highlights the potential challenges associated with this final state. A range of machine learning architectures is employed to demonstrate the stability and reliability of the discriminating variables. This study highlights the importance of the low-pT objects in searches at the HL-LHC, hence the need to pay special attention to their identification and efficiencies.