Search for phenomena beyond the Standard Model in events with large b-jet multiplicity using the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Abstract

Abstract A search is presented for new phenomena in events characterised by high jet multiplicity, no leptons (electrons or muons), and four or more jets originating from the fragmentation of b -quarks ( b -jets). The search uses 1436019139~\hbox {fb}^{-1}1436019 139 fb - 1 of 1436019\sqrt{s}1436019 s = 13 TeV proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider during Run 2. The dominant Standard Model background originates from multijet production and is estimated using a data-driven technique based on an extrapolation from events with low b -jet multiplicity to the high b -jet multiplicities used in the search. No significant excess over the Standard Model expectation is observed and 95% confidence-level limits that constrain simplified models of R-parity-violating supersymmetry are determined. The exclusion limits reach 950 GeV in top-squark mass in the models considered.