Higher-Order QCD Predictions for Dark Matter Production in Mono-$Z$ Searches at the LHC

Abstract: We present theoretical predictions for mono-$Z$ production in the search for dark matter in Run-II at the LHC, including next-to-leading order QCD corrections and parton-shower effects. We consider generic simplified models with vector and scalar $s$-channel mediators. The calculation is performed by implementing the simplified models in the FeynRules/MadGraph5_aMC@NLO framework, which allows us to include higher-order QCD corrections and parton-shower effects in an automated way. We find that these corrections are sizeable and help to reduce the theoretical uncertainties. We also investigate the discovery potential in several benchmark scenarios in the 13 TeV run at the LHC.