1. Searches for Exotic Physics using Top Quarks
Kenneth Johns, Venkat Kaushik,
Xiaowen Lei, Matt Leone*,
Finn O’Grady, Jason Veatch
* Elliott Cheu student

2. Achievements
Made significant contributions to four related but distinct physics searches
Search for resonances using boosted top jets (ATL-COM-PHYS )
Search for resonances using resolved top jets (ATL-COM-PHYS )
Measurement of the production differential cross section (ATL-COM-PHYS )
Measurement of the production total cross section (ATL-COM-PHYS )
Produced first U. Arizona Ph.D. using ATLAS data
Xiaowen Lei – now U. Arizona postdoc on D0
Venkat Kaushik named MET liason to the Top Physics Group

3. Physics Our specific contributions Boosted resonances
Cut flow comparisons
Mass spectra with jet, electron and muon systematic uncertainties
Limit setting
Resolved resonances
Mass spectra using kinematic fitter
Differential production cross section
Unfolding optimization among different algorithms (SVD, MI, …)
Binning algorithm for mass spectrum to minimize migration
Mass spectra for cross section
Total production cross section
Top likelihood variable optimization

4. Physics
Searches for resonances with resolved and boosted top

5. Physics
Total and differential production cross section

6. Service and Upgrade R&D
We continue to hold responsibility for several critical DQA (Data Quality Assessment) items
Online and offline CSC monitoring
Online and offline HLT Jet monitoring
Online and offline HLT MET monitoring
CSC data-driven calibration
We continue to play a major role in pushing Micromegas (MM) detectors for a Phase 1 muon upgrade
Test beam participation and data analysis
Successful testing of “C-Card” for MM DAQ at CERN
Development of MM front-end card using BNL peak finding ASIC
We are developing a ROD-like SPU card for use in a Phase 1 LAr Calorimeter upgrade – Digital L1

7. Service and Upgrade R&D
CSC and HLT Jet DQA
Atlas Muon and LAr Readout Upgrade R&D
C-Card SPU Card