Ultra-high energy neutrinos and $W^{\prime}$, $Z^{\prime}$ gauge bosons at the Pierre Auger Observatory

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential impact of hypothetical $W'$ and $Z'$ gauge bosons on ultra-high energy neutrino interactions at the Pierre Auger Observatory, concluding that such effects are undetectable with current or near-future technology.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of how $W'$ and $Z'$ bosons could influence ultra-high energy neutrino scattering and assesses their observability at the Pierre Auger Observatory.

Findings

Resonance effects are too small to be observed with current detectors.

$W'$ and $Z'$ bosons do not significantly alter ultra-high energy neutrino interactions.

No foreseeable upgrades will enable detection of these resonances at Pierre Auger.

Abstract

A wide range of models beyond the Standard Model predict charged and neutral resonances, generically called $W'$- and $Z'$-bosons, respectively. We present a study of the impact of such resonances on the deep inelastic scattering of ultra-high energy neutrinos as well as on the resonant charged current $\bar\nu_e e^-$ scattering (Glashow resonance). We find that the effects of such resonances can not be observed with the Pierre Auger Observatory or any foreseeable upgrade of it.