Top Quark Physics at the Large Hadron Collider

This chapter focuses on the relevant properties and physics of top quarks for understanding the results of this dissertation. The production and decay mechanisms of top quarks at hadronic colliders are summarized, with particular emphasis the spin properties of \({t\bar {t}}\) production and top quark decay. Context is provided by reviewing previous measurements of top quark polarization and \({t\bar {t}}\) spin correlations, setting a context for the analyses presented in this dissertation. The significance of top quark studies for precision measurements and potential new physics discoveries is provided, emphasizing the top quark as a probe for both SM and BSM physics.