A COMPREHENSIVE SEARCH FOR VECTOR-LIKE LEPTONS IN THREE AND FOUR-LEPTON FINAL STATES

Abstract

A search for vector-like leptons is carried out in multilepton final states, specifically events with exactly three and four or more leptons. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb-1 collected during Run 2 (2016–2018) at 13 TeV, and an additional 62 fb-1 recorded in Run 3(2022-2023) at 13.6 TeV, using the CMS detector at the LHC. A cut-based selection strategy enhances the separation between the signal and Standard Model background processes. Since no significant deviation from the expected Standard Model background is observed, upper limits at 95% confidence level are placed on the production cross sections for different vector-like lepton mass hypotheses, assuming they couple to first- and second-generation Standard Model leptons.