Search for a scalar partner of the top quark in the jets plus missing transverse momentum final state at root s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

A search for pair production of a scalar partner of the top quark in events with four or more jets plus missing transverse momentum is presented. An analysis of 36.1 fb(-1) of root s = 13 TeV proton-proton collisions collected using the ATLAS detector at the LHC yields no significant excess over the expected Standard Model background. To interpret the results a simplified supersymmetric model is used where the top squark is assumed to decay via (t) over tilde (1) -> t((*)) (chi) over tilde (0)(1) and (t) over tilde (1) -> b (chi) over tilde (+/-)(1) -> bW((*)) (chi) over tilde (0)(1), where (chi) over tilde (0)(1) ((chi) over tilde (+/-)(1) denotes the lightest neutralino (chargino). Exclusion limits are placed in terms of the top-squark and neutralino masses. Assuming a branching ratio of 100% to t (chi) over tilde (0)(1), top-squark masses in the range 450-1000 GeV are excluded for (chi) over tilde (0)(1) masses below 160 GeV. In the case where m((t) over tilde1) similar to m(t) + m((chi) over tilde 10), top-squark masses in the range 235-590 GeV are excluded.