Baryonic $Z^{\prime }$ connection of LEP $R_{b,c}$ data with Tevatron $(W,Z,{\hat{I}}^3)b\bar{b}$ events

Abstract

The mixing of a new $Z^{\prime }$ boson with the $Z$ significantly improves the fit to the LEP precision electroweak data, provided that the $Z^{\prime }$ couples mainly to quarks. If $M_{Z_2}<200$~GeV, the $s$-channel $Z_2$ production and $(W,Z,{\hat{I}}^3)Z_2$ pair production cross sections at the Tevatron give an excess above QCD of $b\bar{b}$ and $(W,Z,{\hat{I}}^3)b\bar{b}$ events, respectively, with invariant mass $m(b\bar{b})\approx M_{Z_2}$, which provide viable signals for detection of the $Z_2$. The interference of the $Z_2$ with ${\hat{I}}^3,Z_1$ in $e^{+}{e}^{-}\to \bar{b}b(\bar{c}c)$ at LEP\,1.5 energies is correlated with $R_b(R_c)$ and may be observable.

20 pages, standard Latex, 8 postscript figures (embedded at end of tex file using "\special" command). Complete postscript version available at http://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1996/madph-96-936.ps.Z or at ftp://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1996/madph-96-936.ps.Z