Z' studies at the LHC: an update

Abstract

We reanalyse the potential of the LHC to discover new $Z^{\prime }$ gauge bosons and to discriminate between various theoretical models. Using a fast LHC detector simulation, we have investigated how well the characteristics of $Z^{\prime }$ bosons from different models can be measured. For this analysis we have combined the information coming from the cross section measurement, which provides also the $Z^{\prime }$ mass and total width, the forward-backward charge asymmetries on- and off-peak, and the $Z^{\prime }$ rapidity distribution, which is sensitive to its $u\bar{u}$ and $d\bar{d}$ couplings. We confirm that new $Z^{\prime }$ bosons can be observed in the process $pp\to Z^{\prime }\to l^{+}{l}^{-}$, up to masses of about 5 TeV for an integrated luminosity of 100 fb${}^{-1}$. The off- and on-resonance peak forward-backward charge asymmetries $A_{\mathrm{FB}}^l$ show that interesting statistical accuracies can be obtained up to $Z^{\prime }$ masses of the order of 2 TeV. We then show how the different experimental observables allow for a diagnosis of the $Z^{\prime }$ boson and the distinction between the various considered models.

14 pages, latex, 6 figures