Identifying boosted new physics with non-isolated leptons

Abstract

We demonstrate the utility of leptons which fail standard isolation criteria in searches for new physics at the LHC. Such leptons can arise in any event containing a highly boosted particle which decays to both leptons and quarks. We begin by considering multiple extensions to the Standard Model which primarily lead to events with non-isolated leptons and are therefore missed by current search strategies. We emphasize the failure of standard isolation variables to adequately discriminate between signal and SM background for any value of the isolation cuts. We then introduce a new approach which makes use of jet substructure techniques to distinguish a broad range of signals from QCD events. We proceed with a simulated, proof-of-principle search for R-parity violating supersymmetry to demonstrate both the experimental reach possible with the use of non-isolated leptons and the utility of new substructure variables over existing techniques