A general search for new phenomena with the ATLAS detector at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV

We present a model-independent general search for new physics in proton proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The data set, recorded by the ATLAS experiment during 2012, corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 20.3~fb^{-1}. Event topologies involving isolated electrons, photons, muons, jets, b-jets and missing transverse momentum are investigated. The events are subdivided according to their final states into 713 exclusive analysis channels. For each channel, a search algorithm tests the compatibility of the effective mass distribution in data against the distribution in the Monte Carlo simulated background. Although this search approach is less sensitive than optimized searches for specific models it provides a more comprehensive investigation for new physics signals. No significant deviations between data and the Standard Model expectations have been observed.