Measurement of differential cross sections for Z boson pair production in association with jets at √s=8 and 13 TeV

Abstract

This Letter reports measurements of differential cross sections for the production of two Z bosons in association with jets in proton-proton collisions at root s = 8 and 13 TeV. The analysis is based on data samples collected at the LHC with the CMS detector, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 19.7 and 35.9 fb(-1) at 8 and 13 TeV, respectively. The measurements are performed in the leptonic decay modes ZZ -> l(+)l(-)l'(+)l'(-), where, l, l' = e, mu The differential cross sections as a function of the jet multiplicity, the transverse momentum p(T), and pseudorapidity of the P-T-leading and subleading jets are presented. In addition, the differential cross sections as a function of variables sensitive to the vector boson scattering, such as the invariant mass of the two P-T-leading jets and their pseudorapidity separation, are reported. The results are compared to theoretical predictions and found in good agreement within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties.