English

Novel $|V_{cb}|$ extraction method via boosted $bc$-tagging with in-situ calibration

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology 2025-04-04 v2

Abstract

We present a novel method for measuring Vcb|V_{cb}| at the LHC using an advanced boosted-jet tagger to identify "bcbc signatures". By associating boosted WbcW \rightarrow bc signals with bcbc-matched jets from top-quark decays, we enable an in-situ calibration of the tagger. This approach significantly suppresses backgrounds while reducing uncertainties in flavor tagging efficiencies -- key to improving measurement precision. Our study is enabled by the development of realistic, AI-based large- and small-radius taggers, Sophon and the newly introduced SophonAK4, validated to match ATLAS and CMS's state-of-the-art taggers. The method complements the conventional small radius jet approach and enables a ~30% improvement in Vcb|V_{cb}| precision under HL-LHC projections. As a byproduct, it enhances H±bcH^{\pm} \rightarrow bc search sensitivity by a factor of 2--5 over the recent ATLAS result based on Run 2 data. Our work offers a new perspective for the precision Vcb|V_{cb}| measurement and highlights the potential of using advanced tagging models to probe unexplored boosted regimes at the LHC.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2503.00118,
  title  = {Novel $|V_{cb}|$ extraction method via boosted $bc$-tagging with in-situ calibration},
  author = {Yuzhe Zhao and Congqiao Li and Antonios Agapitos and Dawei Fu and Leyun Gao and Yajun Mao and Qiang Li},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2503.00118},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

7 pages (main text), 6 figures