MUSiC: a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton–proton collisions at $$\sqrt{s} = 13\,\text {TeV} $$
A. M. Sirunyan, A. Tumasyan, W. Adam, F. Ambrogi, T. Bergauer, M. Dragicevic, J. Erö, A. Escalante Del Valle, R. Frühwirth, M. Jeitler, Natascha Krammer, L. Lechner, D. Liko, T. Madlener, I. Mikulec, F. M. Pitters, N. Rad, J. Schieck, R. Schöfbeck, Markus Spanring, S. Templ, W. Waltenberger, C.-E. Wulz, M. Zarucki, V. Chekhovsky, A. Litomin, В. Макаренко, J. Suarez Gonzalez, M. R. Darwish, E. Wolf, D. Di Croce, X. Janssen, T. Kello, A. Lelek, M. Pieters, Haifa Rejeb Sfar, H. Van Haevermaet, P. Van Mechelen, S. Van Putte, N. Van Remortel, F. Blekman, E. S. Bols, S. S. Chhibra, J. D’Hondt, J. De Clercq, D. Lontkovskyi, S. Lowette, I. Marchesini, S. Moortgat, A. Morton, Q. Python, S. Tavernier, W. Van Doninck, P. Van Mulders, D. Beghin, B. Bilin, B. Clerbaux, G. De Lentdecker, B. Dorney, L. Favart, A. Grebenyuk, A. K. Kalsi, I. Makarenko, L. Moureaux, L. Pétré, A. Popov, N. Postiau, E. Starling, Laurent Thomas, C. Vander Velde, P. Vanlaer, D. Vannerom, Liam Wezenbeek, T. Cornelis, D. Dobur, Marek Gruchala, I. Khvastunov, M. Niedziela, C. Roskas, K. Skovpen, M. Tytgat, W. Verbeke, B. Vermassen, Martina Vit, G. Bruno, F. Bury, C. Caputo, P. David, C. Delaere, M. Delcourt, I. S. Donertas, A. Giammanco, V. Lemaı̂tre, K. Mondal, Jessica Prisciandaro, A Taliercio, M. Teklishyn, P. Vischia, S. Wuyckens, J. Zobec
Abstract
Abstract Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton–proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 $$\,\text {TeV}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mspace/> <mml:mtext>TeV</mml:mtext> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 $$\,\text {fb}^{-1}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mspace/> <mml:msup> <mml:mtext>fb</mml:mtext> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> , are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.