Searches for heavy diboson resonances in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

Searches for new heavy resonances decaying to $WW$, $WZ$, and $ZZ$ bosons are presented, using a data sample corresponding to 3.2 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Analyses selecting $ννqq$, $\ellνqq$, $\ell\ell qq$ and $qqqq$ final states are combined, searching for a narrow-width resonance with mass between 500 and 3000 GeV. The discriminating variable is either an invariant mass or a transverse mass. No significant deviations from the Standard Model predictions are observed. Three benchmark models are tested: a model predicting the existence of a new heavy scalar singlet, a simplified model predicting a heavy vector-boson triplet, and a bulk Randall-Sundrum model with a heavy spin-2 graviton. Cross-section limits are set at the 95% confidence level and are compared to theoretical cross-section predictions for a variety of models. The data exclude a scalar singlet with mass below 2650 GeV, a heavy vector-boson triplet with mass below 2600 GeV, and a graviton with mass below 1100 GeV. These results significantly extend the previous limits set using $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV.