Search for heavy Majorana neutrinos in vector boson scattering with $τ$-lepton final states with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

A search for heavy Majorana neutrinos coupling to third-generation leptons in vector boson scattering at the LHC is presented. The search is performed in the final state with a same-sign $ττ$, $eτ$ or $μτ$ pair using data of proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 $\text{fb}^{-1}$. No significant deviation from the Standard Model background is observed. Constraints on the squared mixing matrix element between the $τ$-lepton and the heavy Majorana neutrino ($|V_{τN}|^2$) are derived for heavy Majorana neutrino masses between 92 GeV and 6.5 TeV. Additionally, two-dimensional constraints on ($|V_{eN}|^{2}, |V_{τN}|^{2}$) and ($|V_{μN}|^{2}, |V_{τN}|^{2}$) are set. These results improve the limits on heavy Majorana neutrinos coupling to third-generation leptons for heavy Majorana neutrino masses above 1.0 TeV, and extend the exclusion limits to an unexplored mass range above 1.5 TeV.