Comparison of the Z/γ^∗ + jets to γ + jets cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 8 TeV

A comparison of the differential cross sections for the processes Z/γ^∗ + jets and photon (γ) + jets is presented. The measurements are based on data collected with the CMS detector at √s = 8 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb⁻¹. The differential cross sections and their ratios are presented as functions of p_T. The measurements are also shown as functions of the jet multiplicity. Differential cross sections are obtained as functions of the ratio of the Z/γ^∗ p_T to the sum of all jet transverse momenta and of the ratio of the Z/γ^∗ p_T to the leading jet transverse momentum. The data are corrected for detector effects and are compared to simulations based on several QCD calculations.