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Title: Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z{sup '} searches

Abstract

In many theories of physics beyond the standard model, from extra dimensions to Hidden Valleys and models of dark matter, Z{sup '} bosons mediate between standard model particles and hidden sector states. We study the feasibility of observing such hidden states through an invisibly decaying Z{sup '} at the LHC. We focus on the process pp{yields}{gamma}Z{sup '}{yields}{gamma}XX{sup {dagger}}, where X is any neutral, (quasi-) stable particle, whether a standard model neutrino or a new state. This complements a previous study using pp{yields}ZZ{sup '}{yields}l{sup +}l{sup -}XX{sup {dagger}}. Only the Z{sup '} mass and two effective charges are needed to describe this process. If the Z{sup '} decays invisibly only to standard model neutrinos, then these charges are predicted by observation of the Z{sup '} through the Drell-Yan process, allowing discrimination between Z{sup '} decays to standard model {nu}'s and invisible decays to new states. We carefully discuss all backgrounds and systematic errors that affect this search. We find that hidden sector decays of a 1 TeV Z{sup '} can be observed at 5{sigma} significance with 50 fb{sup -1} at the LHC. Observation of a 1.5 TeV state requires super-LHC statistics of 1 ab{sup -1}. Control of the systematic errors, in particular,more » the parton distribution function uncertainty of the dominant Z{gamma} background, is crucial to maximize the LHC search reach.« less

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21254635
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physical Review. D, Particles Fields
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 78; Journal Issue: 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.78.095002; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0556-2821
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; BOSONS; CERN LHC; DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS; DRELL MODEL; EFFECTIVE CHARGE; MASS; NEUTRINOS; NONLUMINOUS MATTER; PARTICLE DECAY; PARTICLES; PROTON-PROTON INTERACTIONS; STANDARD MODEL; TEV RANGE 01-10; Z NEUTRAL BOSONS

Citation Formats

Gershtein, Yuri, Petriello, Frank, Quackenbush, Seth, Zurek, Kathryn M, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, and Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z{sup '} searches. United States: N. p., 2008. Web. doi:10.1103/PHYSREVD.78.095002.
Gershtein, Yuri, Petriello, Frank, Quackenbush, Seth, Zurek, Kathryn M, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, & Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z{sup '} searches. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.78.095002
Gershtein, Yuri, Petriello, Frank, Quackenbush, Seth, Zurek, Kathryn M, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, and Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. 2008. "Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z{sup '} searches". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.78.095002.
@article{osti_21254635,
title = {Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z{sup '} searches},
author = {Gershtein, Yuri and Petriello, Frank and Quackenbush, Seth and Zurek, Kathryn M and Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 and Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706},
abstractNote = {In many theories of physics beyond the standard model, from extra dimensions to Hidden Valleys and models of dark matter, Z{sup '} bosons mediate between standard model particles and hidden sector states. We study the feasibility of observing such hidden states through an invisibly decaying Z{sup '} at the LHC. We focus on the process pp{yields}{gamma}Z{sup '}{yields}{gamma}XX{sup {dagger}}, where X is any neutral, (quasi-) stable particle, whether a standard model neutrino or a new state. This complements a previous study using pp{yields}ZZ{sup '}{yields}l{sup +}l{sup -}XX{sup {dagger}}. Only the Z{sup '} mass and two effective charges are needed to describe this process. If the Z{sup '} decays invisibly only to standard model neutrinos, then these charges are predicted by observation of the Z{sup '} through the Drell-Yan process, allowing discrimination between Z{sup '} decays to standard model {nu}'s and invisible decays to new states. We carefully discuss all backgrounds and systematic errors that affect this search. We find that hidden sector decays of a 1 TeV Z{sup '} can be observed at 5{sigma} significance with 50 fb{sup -1} at the LHC. Observation of a 1.5 TeV state requires super-LHC statistics of 1 ab{sup -1}. Control of the systematic errors, in particular, the parton distribution function uncertainty of the dominant Z{gamma} background, is crucial to maximize the LHC search reach.},
doi = {10.1103/PHYSREVD.78.095002},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21254635}, journal = {Physical Review. D, Particles Fields},
issn = {0556-2821},
number = 9,
volume = 78,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008},
month = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008}
}