Electroweak gauge bosons as central components of the Standard Model of particle physics are well understood theoretically and have been studied with high precision at past and present collider experiments. The electroweak theory predicts the existence of a scattering process of these particles consisting of contributions from triple and quartic bosonic couplings as well as Higgs boson mediated interactions. These contributions are not separable in a gauge invariant way and are only unitarized in the case of a Higgs boson as it is described by the Standard Model. The process is tied to the electroweak symmetry breaking which introduces the longitudinal modes for the massive electroweak gauge bosons. A study of this interaction is also a direct verification of the local gauge symmetry as one of the fundamental axioms of the Standard Model. With the start of the Large Hadron Collider and after collecting proton-proton collision data with an integrated luminosity of 20.3/fb at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector, first-ever evidence for this process could be achieved in the context of this work. A study of leptonically decaying WWjj, same-electric-charge diboson production in association with two jets resulted in an observation of the electroweak WWjj production with same electric charge of the W bosons, inseparably comprising WW->WW electroweak gauge boson scattering contributions, with a significance of 3.6 standard deviations. The measured production cross section is in agreement with the Standard Model prediction. In the course of a study for leptonically decaying WZ productions, methods for background estimation, the extraction of systematic uncertainties and cross section measurements were developed. They were extended and applied to the WZjj final state whereof the purely electroweakly mediated contribution is intrinsically tied to the scattering of all Standard Model electroweak gauge bosons: Wγ->WZ and WZ->WZ. Three charged leptons and a neutrino from the decay of the final state bosons allow inferences about the scattering process. A distinct signature is provided by the two accompanying tagging jets as remnants of the incoming quarks radiating the initial electroweak gauge bosons. The cross section of the electroweak WZjj production was measured to σ(fiducial, observed) = (0.63 +0.32 -0.28 (stat.) +0.41 -0.24 (syst.)) fb and was found to be consistent with the Standard Model prediction at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics, σ(fiducial, theory) = (0.31 +0.03 -0.05) fb. Unfolded differential cross sections of kinematic variables sensitive to models of new physics were derived. Anomalous quartic electroweak gauge couplings are introduced as dimensionless coupling parameters of additional operators within an effective field theory approach. Constraints on the parameters of operators with dimension eight were set employing a unitarization prescription based on form factors.

The invisible width of the Z boson is its partial width to neutrinos and is a well known Standard Model quantity. A direct measurement of the Z boson’s invisible width has been performed using the ATLAS detector. The width was measured to be Γ(Z → inv) = 481 ± 5(stat.) ± 22(syst.), which rivals the precision of the direct measurements performed by the LEP experiments. Such a precise was measurement performed by measuring the ratio of Z → νν to Z → ee events and correcting for the differences between the neutrino and electron selections. The measurement is sensitive to any non Standard Model interactions with a jet(s) + undetected particle final state. No evidence was found for a deviation from the Standard Model, however improvements have been suggested to allow more sensitivity to new phenomena at high energies.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis, generalized Dyson boson-fermion mappings are considered. These are techniques used in the analysis of the quantum many-body problem, and are instances of so-called boson expansion methods. A generalized Dyson boson-fermion mapping, or a Dyson mapping for short, is a one-to-one linear but non-unitary operator that can be applied to vectors representing the states of a many-fermion system. A vector representing a fermion system maps onto a vector that is most naturally interpreted as representing a state of a many-body system that contains both bosons and fermions. The motivation for doing such a mapping is the hope that the mapping will reveal some property of the system that simplifies its analysis and that was hidden in the original form. The aims of this thesis are 1. to review the theory of generalized Dyson boson-fermion mappings, 2. by considering a tutorial example, to demonstrate that it is feasible to implement the theory and 3. to find a useful application for a generalized Dyson boson-fermion mapping, by considering a non-trivial model, namely the Richardson model for superconductivity. The realization of the first two aims mainly involve the collecting together of ideas that have already appeared in the literature, into one coherent text. Some subtle points that were treated only briefly due to space restrictions in the journal publications where the theory was first expounded, are elaborated on in the present work. On the other hand, the analysis of the Richardson Hamiltonian that uses a Dyson mapping, goes beyond what has already appeared in the literature. It is the first time that a boson expansion technique is implemented for a system where the roles of both collective and non-collective fermion pairs are important. (The Dyson mapping associates bosons with Cooper pairs, while the fermions not bound in Cooper pairs result in fermions being present in the mapped system as well.) What is found is that the Dyson mapping uncovers non-trivial properties of the system. These properties aid the construction of time-independent perturbation expansions for the stationary states of the system, as well as time-dependent expansions for transition amplitudes between states. The time-independent expansions agree with results that other authors obtained through methods other than boson expansions. The time-dependent expansions, that one would be hard-pressed to develop without a Dyson mapping, might in future prove useful in understanding aspects of the dynamics of ultracold fermi gases, when time-dependent magnetic fields are used to vary the atom-atom interaction strenght. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis word veralgemeende Dyson boson-fermion-afbeeldings ondersoek. Hierdie afbeeldings word gebruik in die analise van die kwantum veeldeeltjie probleem, en is voorbeelde van sogenaamde boson-uitbreidingstegnieke. 'n Veralgemeende Dyson bosonfermion- afbeelding, of kortweg 'n Dyson afbeelding, is 'n een-tot-een, lineêre maar nie-unitêre operator wat inwerk op vektore wat toestande verteenwoordig van 'n veel-fermion sisteem. 'n Vektor wat 'n fermionsisteem verteenwoordig word so afgebeeld op 'n vektor waarvoor die mees natuurlike interpretasie is dat dit 'n toestand verteenwoordig van 'n sisteem waarin beide bosone en fermione aanwesig is. So 'n afbeelding word gewoonlik gemaak in die hoop dat eienskappe van die sisteem, wat versteek was in die oorspronklike weergawe, voor-die-hand-liggend is na die afbeelding. Hierdie tesis het ten doel 1. om die teorie van veralgemeende Dyson boson-fermion-afbeeldings te hersien, 2. om 'n eenvoudige voorbeeld deur te werk, en so te demonstreer dat die teorie sonder moeite geïmplimenteer kan word en 3. om 'n nuttige toepassing te vind vir 'n veralgemeende Dyson boson-fermion-afbeelding deur 'n nie-triviale model, naamlik die Richardson model vir supergeleiding, te ondersoek. Die eerste twee van hierdie doelwitte behels hoofsaaklik dat idees wat reeds in die literatuur verskyn het, saamgevat word in een koherente teks. Sommige subtiele punte wat, vanwee beperkte ruimte, slegs kortliks bespreek is in die joernaalartikels waarin die teorie oorspronklik verskyn het, word in hierdie tesis meer breedvoering bespreek. Daarteenoor verteenwoordig die analise van die Richardson model met behulp van 'n Dyson afbeelding 'n nuwe bydra. Dit is naamlik die eerste keer dat 'n bosonuitbreiding ingespan word vir 'n sisteem waar sowel kollektiewe as nie-kollektiewe fermionpare 'n belangrike rol speel. (Die Dyson afbeelding assosieer bosone met die oorspronklike sisteem se Cooper pare, terwyl die fermione wat in die oorspronklike sisteem nie tot Cooper pare gebind is nie, sorg dat daar ook fermione teenwoordig is in die afgebeelde sisteem.) Ons vind dat die Dyson afbeelding nie-triviale eienskappe van die sisteem aan die lig bring. Hierdie eienskappe is nuttig vir die konstruksie van beide tyd-onafhanklike steuringsreekse vir die stasionêre toestande van die sisteem en vir tyd-afhanklike steuringsreekse vir oorgangsamplitudes tussen toestande. Die tyd-onafhanklike uitbreidings stem ooreen met resultate wat ander outeurs afgelei het sonder die gebruik van 'n Dyson afbeelding. Die tyd-afhanklike uitbreidings, wat kwalik afgelei kan word sonder 'n Dyson afbeelding, mag vorentoe nuttig wees om aspekte van die dinamika van baie koue Fermi gasse te verstaan, wanneer tydafhanklike magneetvelde gebruik word om die inter-atoomwisselwerking te manipuleer.

La recherche du Boson de Higgs du modèle standard produit en association avec un boson Z dans le canal ZH → e+e- bbˉ a été présentée. Cette étude a été réalisée avec 4.2 fb-1 de données collectées avec le détecteur DØ auprès du Tevatron. Aucun excès de donnée n'a été observé. Une limite sur la section efficace de production du processus ZH → e+e- bbˉ a été établie à 95% CL. / A search for a standard model Higgs boson in the ZH → e+e- bbˉ channel is presented using 4.2 fb-1 of data the DØ detector at the Tevatron. No excess of data have been found. A 95% CL limit on the ZH → e+e- bbˉ cross section production have been set.

Dans le Modèle Standard de la Physique des Particules, le boson de Higgs permet de générer la masse des particules élémentaires. Les contraintes théoriques et expérimentales actuels imposent au boson de Higgs d'avoir une masse comprise entre 114.4 et 158 GeV à 95% de niveau de confiance. Ces résultats confortent la recherche du boson de Higgs à basse masse dans la fenêtre encore ouverte.Le détecteur Dø est situé près de Chicago, au Tevatron, collisionneur protons-antiprotons avec une énergie dans le centre de masse de 1.96 TeV. le sujet de cette thèse est la recherche du boson de Higgs produit en association avec le boson Z. C'est un canal sensible au boson de Higgs de basse masse (<135 GeV) qui a un rapport avec le branchement H -> bb de l'ordre de 80% dans cette région en masse. Le canal d'étude ZH → nunubb a un état final composé de 2 jets de saveurs lourdes et de l'énergie transverse manquante emportée par les neutrinos.L'identification des jets de saveur lourde est réalisée à l'aide d'un nouvel algorithme que l'on a développé (SLTNN) : la méthode est basée sur la désintégration semi-leptonique des quarks b.L'analyse de recherche du boson de Higgs a été menée avec 3 fb-1 de données. L'utilisation de SLTNN a permis d'améliorer de 10% l'efficacité d'identification de boson de Higgs. En revanche, la sensibilité globale de l'analyse, une fois les bruits de fonds et erreurs systématiques prises en compte, est très peu améliorée. / In the Standard Model of particle physics, the Higgs boson generates elementary particles mass. Current theoretical and experimental constraints leads of a Higgs boson mass between 114.4 and 158 GeV with 95% confidence level. Moreover, Tevatron has recently excluded the mass window between 100 et 109 GeV with 95% confidence level. These results gives a clear indication search Higgs boson at low mass. Dø detector is located close to Chicago, at Tevatron, proton-antiproton collider with an energy in the center of mass 1.96 TeV. the topic of this thesis is the search of Higgs boson associated to a Z boson. It is a sensitive channel to low mass Higgs boson (<135 Gev) which has a branching ratio close to 80% in this mass range. The decay channel ZH → nunubb has in the final state 2 heavy-flavor jets and missing transverse energy due to neutrinos.The heavy-flavor jets identification is done thanks a new algorithm we have developped (SLTNN) : the method is based on semi-leptonic decay of b quarks.the Higgs boson search analysis was done with 3 fb-1 of data. The use of SLTNN permits to increase by 10% of Higgs boson tagging efficiency. On the other hand, global analysis sensitivity improvement, after taking into account the backgrounds and systematic errors, is low

This thesis presents a cross-section measurement of the Z -+ TeTh process performed using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The data used were collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV during 2010 and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb-I. This measurement uses the final state where one T lepton decays leptonically, to an electron or muon, plus neutrinos, and the other T lepton decays hadronically. The "(* / Z -+ a, It and di-boson background processes are estimated using Monte Carlo simulation, the W -+ TV Monte Carlo background prediction is estimated using a semi data-driven method. The multijet background is estimated with a fully data-driven 'ABCD' method using three exclusive control regions built by inverting uncorrelated requirements on the isolation of the electron or muon and the product of the electric charge of the identified electron or muon and hadronically decayed T lepton. The measured cross-sections in each channel are corrected for the individual branching ratios and yield the total cross-section a(Z -+ TT, minv 66 - 116 GeV) = 1142 ± 135.5(stat.) ± 206.2(syst.) ± 40. 19(1umi.) ± 3.6(theo.) pb for the electron channel and a(Z -+ TT, minv 66 - 116 GeV) = 857.6 ± 81.4(stat.) ± 132.5(syst.) ± 30.19(lumi.) ± 2.8(theo.) pb for the muon channel, where the invariant mass of the Z boson is between 66 and 116 GeV. These are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction of960 ± 49.5 pb. Performing a measurement of a well-known Standard Model process using the ATLAS de- tector in this new high energy regime is essential for validating the T lepton identification in particular, which is essential for any new physics search such as H -+ TeTh' A cut-based analysis for the Vector Boson Fusion produced Higgs boson decaying to two T leptons channel is introduced and the possibility of using the more complex analysis technique, the Matrix Element method, to increase sensitivity is discussed.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

The Standard Model of Particle Physics describes the fundamental building blocks of matter and phenomena up to the highest particle interaction energies. The theory demands the existence of a scalar particle: the Higgs boson. The Higgs boson was discovered by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations at CERN using bosonic final states and is measured to have a mass of around 125 GeV. This particle is predicted to decay predominantly into pairs of b-quarks at this mass, but suffers from overwhelming backgrounds from the multijet production expected from QCD interactions. Therefore, H→bb- production in association with a leptonically decaying W or Z boson is considered, with Z → vv-, W → lv and Z → ll, where ` denotes electrons and muons. This thesis presents a search for the Higgs boson decaying into bb- pairs in association with a W or Z boson using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The analysis uses the full dataset recorded during pp collisions at the LHC in Run-1, corresponding to 4.7 fb-1 at √s = 7 TeV and 20.3 fb-1 at √s = 8 TeV. A multivariate technique and a kinematic cut-based approach have been used to maximize the signal over background ratio, where a particular emphasis on the latter approach is made in this thesis. Final state radiation and reconstruction effects may decrease the bb- resonance resolution significantly, while comparably decreasing the probability of observing the decay over the background. The b quark pairs from the Higgs boson are reconstructed as topological clusters formed to jets in the ATLAS calorimeter. Thus, the reconstruction and calibration of these jets are crucial for the final Higgs mass resolution and paramount for the search and for future precision measurements of V H, H→bb- production. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of advanced techniques to improve the invariant dijet mass reconstruction of the H→bb- candidate. Sequential jet calibrations, semileptonic corrections and pT corrections to account for the interplay between jet resolution/scale and the underlying signal pT spectrum obtained from Monte Carlo simulations have been studied. A major focus has been made on the development and evaluation of an event-level kinematic likelihood fitting framework to exploit the full kinematic potential of V H topologies within the detector uncertainties of the reconstructed final state signatures in order to improve the measurement of the b-tagged jet kinematics. The jet energy calibrations of the H→bb- signal candidates yield an overall improvement of the dijet invariant mass resolution of up to ~30%, and of the expected statistical significance of ~12%. The analysis procedure is validated using the resonant V Z(bb-) production in the same final states as for the Higgs boson search, and is observed, compatible with the Standard Model expectation, with a significance of 4.9 standard deviations and a signal strength of μ^V Z = 0:74+0:17 -0:16. For a Higgs boson mass of 125.36 GeV, the observed (expected) deviation from the background-only hypothesis is found with a significance of 1.4 (2.6) standard deviations and a signal strength is determined to be μ^V H = 0:52±0:32(stat.)±0:24(syst.).

This thesis presents the measurement of the production cross section of a W boson with a single charm quark in 7 TeV proton-proton collisions using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The data analysed correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb 1 and were collected during 2011. This is the first time that ATLAS data has been used for this particular measurement. This cross section is of particular interest as a probe of the strange quark density of the proton. Typically, the strange quark density is considered to be suppressed relative to that of the other light-quarks in the proton sea. However, some analyses suggest a more symmetric composition of light-quarks in the proton sea. The results of this study aim to improve the precision of the determination of the strange quark density. The analysis uses events where the W boson decays to a muon and a neutrino. In such events, the charm quark is identified by its semileptonic decay to a soft muon within a hadronic jet. The charge correlation between the W boson and the soft muon is exploited to reduce the backgrounds substantially. The analysis results are combined with those obtained using additional decay channels. The measured cross section provides further constraint for the determination of the strange quark density, advancing the knowledge of the fundamental structure of the proton. The results are compared with predictions of next-to-leading-order QCD calculations obtained using various parton distribution function parameterisations. Additionally, the ratio of the strange-to-down sea-quark distributions is determined to be 0.96+0.26 0.30 at Q2 = 1.9 GeV2. This supports the hypothesis of a symmetric composition of light-quarks in the proton sea. The cross section ratio (W+ + c)= (W + c) is also determined and compared with different predictions for the asymmetry of the strange and anti-strange quark distribution functions.

This thesis presents studies of the single top t-channel in the electron plus jets mode. In order to understand this channel, an account of the present theoretical models is given. This work relies on collisions data from the ATLAS detector and its components are presented here. A summary of the work involving the SCT, part of the tracking system in ATLAS, is also explained here. Studies were performed to optimize the measurement of the Lorentz Angle of the holes in the Silicon for the initial data taking period. The data studied was acquired by ATLAS during 2011, with a total integrated luminosity of 4.7 pb−1 at a √s = 7 TeV. Monte Carlo simulation of signal and background events was also used throughout. Background studies were performed to correctly determine the expected amount of QCD via the Jet Electron data-driven method and of light or heavy flavour jets produced in association with a W boson, which is one of the dominant backgrounds for the t-channel. A cut based analysis was then applied to the data and simulation in order to better discriminate the t-channel signal. A binned likelihood fit to the invariant mass of the reconstructed top quark was performed and the cross section value for the t-channel process was calculated: σt−channel = 62.2±8.0(stat)+8.6 −8.8(syst) pb which is in good agreement with the theoretically predicted value. Finally, the response (preco T /ptrue T ) of light quark or gluon initiated jets is evaluated for both the t-channel and the Wt associated production, in order to determine the flavour composition uncertainty, as part of the framework that provides the jet energy scale uncertainties in a multiple jets environment. Other sources of system- atics are also reviewed.