Full NLO predictions for vector-boson scattering into Z bosons and its irreducible background at the LHC

Abstract

Vector-boson scattering into two Z bosons at the LHC is a key channel for the exploration of the electroweak sector of the Standard Model. It allows for the full reconstruction of the scattering process but at the price of a huge irreducible background. For the first time, we present full next-to-leading-order predictions for $pp\to e^{+}{e}^{-}\hat{I}{¼}^{+}\hat{I}{¼}^{-}jj+X$ including all electroweak and QCD contributions for vector-boson scattering signal and irreducible background. The results are presented in the form of cross sections and differential distributions. A particular emphasis is put on the newly computed $O(\hat{I}{\pm }_s^2\hat{I}{\pm }^5)$ corrections.

25 pages, 25 pdf figure files, minor corrections w.r.t. v1, version to appear in JHEP