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more pedagogic
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Here, I change the variable names for more pedagogic ones : $X$ for the resonance produced, $f$ for final state (the particle to which $X$ decays). The theoretical formulacouple {$X$, f} represents what we call the "channel". But sometimes, we use channel as meaning the final state : decay channel. There is some ambiguity in the language. But it is not important here.

The resonance $X$ could decay to many final states. The branching ratio is formulated theoretically as $BR(X\rightarrow f)=\Gamma_f/\Gamma_X$. This expresses the ratio of events in the specific final state of the study, that is the fraction of events that decays to the final state you are looking for (numerator) with respect to all possible final states (denominator).

TheWhen dealing with an experimental formula needs to be interpreted inmeasurement with a special way :single channel, that is meaning, when you have to consider as numerator $N_{obs}/\epsilon$deal with the production and decay of a resonance, the analysis alone (it iswithout combination with other analyses) does not "understandable" if you put "directly" $\epsilon$ atallow itself to separate the denominator), and as denominatorcontribution from the total numberproduction cross-section from the branching ratio. All you measure is the product of produced eventsthe two (whatever: there is a degeneracy of the decay)couple "{production cross-section, branching ratio}" : there are infinite possible values.

$N_{obs}$ represents To raise this degeneracy, you need an assumption.

If you make an assumption on the numberbranching ratio, then you could make a measurement of produced events withthe production cross-section only, that is the cross-section to produce the resonance final state$X$ that could decay to all possible final states. SinceIf you make an assumption on the production cross-section, then you could measure the branching ratio.

In your example, you wish to relatemeasure the branching ratio. In this case, you need to make an assumption on the number of "expected" eventsproduction cross-section. A first way would be to without decayfix the cross-section to the value predicted of the Standard Model ($N_{BB}$or a given model), you need. Another option would be to divide $N_{obs}$fix the cross-section to the value predicted by the selection efficiencycombination of yourseveral analyses.

In analysis, the resonance that is produced is made :after a selection $\epsilon$. This will transform(with an efficiency eff selectoin) whose goal is to reduce drastically the numerator intobackground (processes that mimic your signal). So when you measure that you have found "Nobs" signal, this means that "Nobs" is the number that correspondingpasses number of events before the decayyour selection. ThisThe selection efficiency is obtained from Monte-Carlo simulation ofrestrictive : you select less events that there are produced. So if you observe after the selection $Nobs$*, this means that $N_{obs}/efficiency_{selection}$ were produced, but your signal samplecriteria of selection kept only a fraction $efficiency_{selection}$.

$N_{BB}$ is obtained either from a So if you measure combination of several analyses$Nobs$ : this represent the number that has been :

-selected

-produced

-decayed to the final state you are interested in.

So $Nobs=Nproduction\times BR(X\rightarrow f)\times efficiency_{selection}$. If you invert this equation, or by simulationthis gives your formula.

The theoretical formula expresses the fraction of events that decays to the final state you are looking for (numerator) with respect to all possible final states (denominator).

The experimental formula needs to be interpreted in a special way : you have to consider as numerator $N_{obs}/\epsilon$ (it is not "understandable" if you put "directly" $\epsilon$ at the denominator), and as denominator the total number of produced events (whatever is the decay).

$N_{obs}$ represents the number of produced events with the final state. Since you wish to relate this to the number of "expected" events without decay ($N_{BB}$), you need to divide $N_{obs}$ by the selection efficiency of your analysis : $\epsilon$. This will transform the numerator into the corresponding number of events before the decay. This selection efficiency is obtained from Monte-Carlo simulation of your signal sample.

$N_{BB}$ is obtained either from a combination of several analyses, or by simulation.

Here, I change the variable names for more pedagogic ones : $X$ for the resonance produced, $f$ for final state (the particle to which $X$ decays). The couple {$X$, f} represents what we call the "channel". But sometimes, we use channel as meaning the final state : decay channel. There is some ambiguity in the language. But it is not important here.

The resonance $X$ could decay to many final states. The branching ratio is formulated theoretically as $BR(X\rightarrow f)=\Gamma_f/\Gamma_X$. This expresses the ratio of events in the specific final state of the study, that is the fraction of events that decays to the final state you are looking for (numerator) with respect to all possible final states (denominator).

When dealing with an experimental measurement with a single channel, that is meaning, when you deal with the production and decay of a resonance, the analysis alone (without combination with other analyses) does not allow itself to separate the contribution from the production cross-section from the branching ratio. All you measure is the product of the two : there is a degeneracy of the couple "{production cross-section, branching ratio}" : there are infinite possible values.

To raise this degeneracy, you need an assumption.

If you make an assumption on the branching ratio, then you could make a measurement of the production cross-section only, that is the cross-section to produce the resonance $X$ that could decay to all possible final states. If you make an assumption on the production cross-section, then you could measure the branching ratio.

In your example, you wish to measure the branching ratio. In this case, you need to make an assumption on the production cross-section. A first way would be to fix the cross-section to the value predicted of the Standard Model (or a given model). Another option would be to fix the cross-section to the value predicted by the combination of several analyses.

In analysis, the resonance that is produced is made after a selection (with an efficiency eff selectoin) whose goal is to reduce drastically the background (processes that mimic your signal). So when you measure that you have found "Nobs" signal, this means that "Nobs" is the number that passes your selection. The selection is restrictive : you select less events that there are produced. So if you observe after the selection $Nobs$*, this means that $N_{obs}/efficiency_{selection}$ were produced, but your criteria of selection kept only a fraction $efficiency_{selection}$.

So if you measure $Nobs$ : this represent the number that has been :

-selected

-produced

-decayed to the final state you are interested in.

So $Nobs=Nproduction\times BR(X\rightarrow f)\times efficiency_{selection}$. If you invert this equation, this gives your formula.

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The theoretical formula expresses the fraction of events that decays to the final state you are looking for (numerator) with respect to all possible final states (denominator).

The experimental formula needs to be interpreted in a special way : you have to consider as numerator $N_{obs}/\epsilon$ (it is not "understandable" if you put "directly" $\epsilon$ at the denominator), and as denominator the total number of produced events (whatever is the decay).

$N_{obs}$ represents the number of produced events with the final state. Since you wish to relate this to the number of "expected" events without decay ($N_{BB}$), you need to divide $N_{obs}$ by the selection efficiency of your analysis : $\epsilon$. This will transform the numerator into the corresponding number of events before the decay. This selection efficiency is obtained from Monte-Carlo simulation of your signal sample.

$N_{BB}$ is obtained either from a combination of several analyses, or by simulation.