Using Drell-Yan forward-backward asymmetry to reduce PDF uncertainties in the measurement of electroweak parameters

TL;DR

This paper proposes using the forward-backward asymmetry in Drell-Yan dilepton events to significantly reduce PDF uncertainties in precision electroweak measurements at hadron colliders.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method leveraging Drell-Yan asymmetry measurements to mitigate PDF uncertainties in electroweak parameter determination.

Findings

Forward-backward asymmetry measurements can reduce PDF uncertainties.

Method improves precision of electroweak parameter measurements.

Potential to enhance accuracy of W boson mass and weak mixing angle measurements.

Abstract

The uncertainties in Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) are the dominant source of the systematic uncertainty in precision measurements of electroweak parameters at hadron colliders (e.g. $\sin^2\theta_{eff}(M_Z)$, $\sin^2\theta_{W}=1-M_W^2/M_Z^2$ and the mass of the W boson). We show that measurements of the forward-backward charge asymmetry ($A_{FB}(M,y)$) of Drell-Yan dilepton events produced at hadron colliders provide a new powerful tool to reduce the PDF uncertainties in these measurements.