title: Fastlim: a fast LHC limit calculator.
abstract: Fastlim is a tool to calculate conservative limits on extensions of the Standard Model from direct LHC searches without performing any Monte Carlo event generation. The programreconstructsthe visible cross sections (cross sections after event selection cuts) from pre-calculated efficiency tables and cross section tables for simplified event topologies. As a proof of concept of the approach, we have implemented searches relevant for supersymmetric models with R-parity conservation. Fastlim takes the spectrum and coupling information of a given model point and provides, for each signal region of the implemented analyses, the visible cross sections normalised to the corresponding upper limit, reported by the experiments, as well as the [Formula: see text] value. To demonstrate the utility of the program we study the sensitivity of the recent ATLAS missing energy searches to the parameter space of natural SUSY models. The program structure allows the straightforward inclusion of external efficiency tables and can be generalised to R-parity violating scenarios and non-SUSY models. This paper serves as a self-contained user guide and indicates the conventions and approximations used.
authors: Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Papucci
authors: Physics Department, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS UK.
authors: Kazuki
authors: K
authors: Sakurai
authors: CERN TH-PH Division, Meyrin, Switzerland.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Weiler
authors: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Zeune