Constraining new physics with collider measurements of Standard Model signatures

Abstract

: A new method providing general consistency constraints for Beyond-theStandard-Model
\n(BSM) theories, using measurements at particle colliders, is presented.
\nThe method, ‘Constraints On New Theories Using Rivet’, Contur, exploits the fact that
\nparticle-level differential measurements made in fiducial regions of phase-space have a high
\ndegree of model-independence. These measurements can therefore be compared to BSM
\nphysics implemented in Monte Carlo generators in a very generic way, allowing a wider
\narray of final states to be considered than is typically the case. The Contur approach
\nshould be seen as complementary to the discovery potential of direct searches, being designed
\nto eliminate inconsistent BSM proposals in a context where many (but perhaps not
\nall) measurements are consistent with the Standard Model. We demonstrate, using a competitive
\nsimplified dark matter model, the power of this approach. The Contur method
\nis highly scaleable to other models and future measurements.