Abstract
Abstract:
A search for dark matter (DM) particles produced in association with a hadronically decaying vector
boson is performed using pp collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV
corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb−1, recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large
Hadron Collider. This analysis improves on previous searches for processes with hadronic decays of
W and Z bosons in association with large missing transverse momentum (mono-W /Z searches) due to
the larger dataset and further optimization of the event selection and signal region definitions.
In addition to the mono-W /Z search, the as yet unexplored hypothesis of a new vector boson Z ,
produced in association with dark matter is considered (mono-Z , search). No significant excess
over the Standard Model prediction is observed. The results of the mono-W /Z search are interpreted
in terms of limits on invisible Higgs boson decays into dark matter particles, constraints on the
parameter space of the simplified vector-mediator model and generic upper limits on the visible
cross sections for W /Z+DM production. The results of the mono-Z , search are shown in the
framework of several simplified-model scenarios involving DM production in association with the Z ,
boson.