Search for heavy long-lived multi-charged particles in \(pp\) collisions at \(\sqrt{s}\)=8 TeV using the ATLAS detector

Abstract

A search for heavy long-lived multi-charged particles is performed using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Data collected in 2012 at \(\sqrt{s}\)=8 TeV from \(pp\) collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of \(20.3\) fb\(^{-1}\) are examined. Particles producing anomalously high ionisation, consistent with long-lived massive particles with electric charges from \(|q|=2e\) to \(|q|=6e\) are searched for. No signal candidate events are observed, and 95% confidence level cross-section upper limits are interpreted as lower mass limits for a Drell--Yan production model. The mass limits range between 660 and 785 GeV.