Search for high-mass resonances decaying into tau-lepton pairs in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

TL;DR

This paper searches for high-mass particles decaying into tau pairs in proton-proton collisions at 7 TeV, setting limits on new resonance masses and excluding certain models below 1.4 TeV.

Contribution

First search for high-mass tau pair resonances at 7 TeV, providing new exclusion limits on Z' models using CMS data.

Findings

No excess observed over standard model predictions.

Excluded Z' resonances below 1.4 TeV (SSM) and 1.1 TeV (E6 model).

Set upper limits on cross section times branching ratio.

Abstract

A search for high-mass resonances decaying into tau-lepton pairs is performed using a data sample of pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. The data were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 inverse femtobarns. The number of observed events is in agreement with the standard model prediction. An upper limit on the product of the resonance cross section and branching fraction into tau-lepton pairs is calculated as a function of the resonance mass. Using the sequential standard model resonance Z'(SSM) and the superstring-inspired E(6) model with resonance Z'(psi) as benchmarks, resonances with standard model couplings with masses below 1.4 and 1.1 TeV, respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level.