Observation and Measurements of the Production of Prompt and Non-Prompt J/ψ Mesons in Association with a Z Boson in pp Collisions at √s̅ = 8 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

The production of a Z boson in association with a J/ψ meson in proton-proton collisions probes the production mechanisms of quarkonium and heavy flavour in association with vector bosons, and allows studies of multiple parton scattering. Using 20.3 fb⁻¹ of data collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in pp collisions at √s̅ = 8 TeV, the first measurement of associated Z + J/ψ production is presented for both prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production, with both signatures having a significance in excess of 5σ. The inclusive production cross-sections for Z boson production (analysed in μ⁺μ⁺ or e⁺e⁻ decay modes) in association with prompt and non-prompt J/ψ (→ μ⁺μ⁺) are measured relative to the inclusive production rate of Z bosons in the same fiducial volume to be (36.8 ± 6.7 ± 2.5) x 10⁻⁷ and (65.8 ± 9.2 ± 4.2) x 10⁻⁷ respectively. Normalised differential production cross-section ratios are also determined as a function of the J/ψ transverse momentum. The fraction of signal events arising from single and double parton scattering is estimated, and a lower limit of 5.3 (3.7) mb at 68 (95)% confidence level is placed on the effective cross-section regulating double parton interactions.