In this paper we propose and study direct single top quark production channel for probing the tq$\gamma$ flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) interactions at the LHC. We reinterpret the experimental results of a search for direct single top quark production performed by ATLAS collaboration at 8 TeV to set upper bounds on the FCNC top quark decay branching fractions through the proposed channel, resulting in ${ \cal B}$(t$\rightarrow$ u$\gamma$) $<$ 0.05\% and ${ \cal B}$(t$\rightarrow$ c$\gamma$) $<$ 0.14\%. Finally, the expected sensitivity at 13 TeV for various integrated luminosity scenarios is estimated.
Categories: hep-ph hep-ex