Search for a heavy vector boson decaying to two gluons in {$\boldmath{p\bar{p}}$} collisions at {$\boldmath{\sqrt{s}=1.96}$ TeV

TL;DR

This paper searches for a hypothetical heavy vector boson decaying into gluons, specifically via an off-shell gluon converting to top quark pairs, and sets upper limits on its production cross section based on collider data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel search strategy for a chromophilic Z' boson decaying into a top pair and a gluon, with new limits set on its production at the Tevatron.

Findings

Data is consistent with the standard model.

Upper limits on Z' production cross section range from 300 fb to 40 fb.

Mass range studied is 400 GeV/c^2 to 1000 GeV/c^2.

Abstract

We present a search for a new heavy vector boson $Z'$ that decays to gluons. Decays to on-shell gluons are suppressed, leading to a dominant decay mode of $Z' \rightarrow g^*g$. We study the case where the off-shell gluon $g^*$ converts to a pair of top quarks, leading to a final state of $t\bar{t}g$. In a sample of events with exactly one charged lepton, large missing transverse momentum and at least five jets, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.7 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the CDF II detector, we find the data to be consistent with the standard model. We set upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio of this chromophilic $Z'$ at 95% confidence level from 300 fb to 40 fb for $Z'$ masses ranging from 400 GeV$/c^2$ to 1000 GeV$/c^2$, respectively.