LHC and dark matter signals of Z' bosons

TL;DR

This paper develops a semi-empirical method to analyze Z' boson production at the LHC, incorporating dark matter interactions, and derives constraints on model parameters by combining collider and direct detection data.

Contribution

It introduces a model-independent differential cross section expression for Z' production, including dark matter mediators, and combines various experimental data for comprehensive constraints.

Findings

Derived semi-empirical cross section formula for Z' models.

Provided mass-dependent constraints on Z' and dark matter parameters.

Analyzed Z' signals across multiple models and experimental data sets.

Abstract

We customize the simulation code FEWZ (Fully Exclusive W, Z Production) to study Z' production at the LHC for both \sqrt{s}=8 TeV and 14 TeV. Using the results of our simulation for several standard benchmark Z' models, we derive a semi-empirical expression for the differential cross section, that permits the determination of Z' couplings in a model-independent manner. We evaluate cross sections and other observables for large classes of models, including the common E_6, left-right and B-L models, as a function of model parameters. We also consider a hidden sector Z' that couples to standard model fermions via kinetic and mass mixing and serves as a mediator of isospin-violating interactions with dark matter. We combine the results of LHC Z' searches and dark matter direct detection experiments with global electroweak data to obtain mass-dependent constraints on the model parameters.