Luminosity determination in pp collisions at sqrt{s}=13 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the LHC
Pith reviewed 2026-05-23 08:37 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
The integrated luminosity of the ATLAS Run 2 pp dataset at 13 TeV is determined to be 140.1 ± 1.2 fb^{-1}.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
After standard data-quality selections, the full Run 2 pp data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140.1±1.2 fb^{-1}, i.e. an uncertainty of 0.83%.
Load-bearing premise
The assumption that the luminosity scale determined in van der Meer scans can be accurately extrapolated to the physics data-taking conditions using the complementary luminosity-sensitive detectors without significant additional uncertainties from changing beam or detector conditions.
read the original abstract
The luminosity determination for the ATLAS detector at the LHC during Run 2 is presented, with $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The absolute luminosity scale is determined using van der Meer beam separation scans during dedicated running periods in each year, and extrapolated to the physics data-taking regime using complementary measurements from several luminosity-sensitive detectors. The total uncertainties in the integrated luminosities for each individual year of data-taking range from 0.9% to 1.1%, and are partially correlated between years. After standard data-quality selections, the full Run 2 $pp$ data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $140.1\pm 1.2$ fb$^{-1}$, i.e. an uncertainty of 0.83%. A dedicated sample of low-pileup data recorded in 2017-18 for precision Standard Model physics measurements is analysed separately, and has an integrated luminosity of $338.1\pm 3.1$ pb$^{-1}$.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript presents the luminosity determination for the ATLAS experiment in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV during LHC Run 2. The absolute luminosity scale is calibrated using van der Meer beam separation scans in dedicated low-pileup periods for each year. This scale is then extrapolated to the high-pileup physics data-taking conditions using measurements from several luminosity-sensitive detectors including LUCID, BCM, and TileCal. After applying standard data-quality selections, the integrated luminosity for the full Run 2 dataset is determined to be 140.1 ± 1.2 fb^{-1}, corresponding to a relative uncertainty of 0.83%. A separate low-pileup dataset from 2017-2018 is also calibrated with an integrated luminosity of 338.1 ± 3.1 pb^{-1}. The total uncertainties per year range from 0.9% to 1.1%, with partial correlations between years.
Significance. This result is of high significance for the field as the integrated luminosity is a fundamental normalization factor for all cross-section measurements and searches performed with the ATLAS detector during Run 2. Achieving 0.83% precision represents state-of-the-art performance for luminosity determination at the LHC. The use of multiple independent detectors for the extrapolation provides cross-checks that enhance reliability. The separate treatment of the low-pileup sample is particularly valuable for precision Standard Model measurements where pileup effects must be minimized. The partial correlation of uncertainties across years is important for global fits and combinations of results.
major comments (1)
- [Section describing the extrapolation procedure and transfer factors] The extrapolation of the vdM-determined luminosity scale to physics data-taking conditions relies on the assumption that response ratios from LUCID, BCM, and TileCal accurately capture changes without significant residual biases from variations in instantaneous luminosity, beam optics, or detector conditions. While the 0.83% total uncertainty is stated to incorporate these transfer factors, the manuscript should provide explicit validation studies demonstrating that any unmodeled dependencies are negligible or fully accounted for in the uncertainty budget, as such biases would directly scale the reported integrated luminosity.
minor comments (1)
- [Abstract] The abstract clearly states the main result but could briefly note the years spanned by the Run 2 dataset for additional context.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
free parameters (1)
- vdM scan calibration constants =
year-dependent
axioms (1)
- domain assumption Luminosity monitors provide proportional response to instantaneous luminosity.
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