Forward-backward asymmetry of Drell-Yan lepton pairs in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurements of the forward-backward asymmetry of Drell-Yan lepton pairs at a hadron collider, using CMS data at 7 TeV, and finds results consistent with the standard model.

Contribution

It presents the first measurement of A[FB] in the dimuon channel and combined channels at a hadron collider, expanding experimental tests of the standard model.

Findings

Measured asymmetries agree with standard model predictions

First A[FB] results in dimuon channel at a hadron collider

Combined channel results enhance measurement precision

Abstract

A measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry (A[FB]) of Drell-Yan lepton pairs in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV is presented. The data sample, collected with the CMS detector, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns. The asymmetry is measured as a function of dilepton mass and rapidity in the dielectron and dimuon channels. Combined results from the two channels are also presented. The A[FB] measurement in the dimuon channel and the combination of the two channels are the first such results obtained at a hadron collider. The measured asymmetries are consistent with the standard model predictions.