Performance of reconstruction and identification of τ leptons decaying to hadrons and v<inf>τ</inf> in pp collisions at s=13 TeV

Abstract

The algorithm developed by the CMS Collaboration to reconstruct and identify τ leptons produced in proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 and 8TeV, via their decays to hadrons and a neutrino, has been significantly improved. The changes include a revised reconstruction of π0 candidates, and improvements in multivariate discriminants to separate τ leptons from jets and electrons. The algorithm is extended to reconstruct τ leptons in highly Lorentz-boosted pair production,andinthehigh-leveltrigger. Theperformanceofthealgorithmisstudiedusingprotonprotoncollisionsrecordedduring2016at√s = 13TeV,correspondingtoanintegratedluminosity of35.9fb−1. Theperformanceisevaluatedintermsoftheefficiencyforagenuine τ leptontopass theidentificationcriteriaandoftheprobabilitiesforjets, electrons, andmuonstobemisidentified as τ leptons. TheresultsarefoundtobeveryclosetothoseexpectedfromMonteCarlosimulation.