Forward-backward asymmetry of Drell-Yan lepton pairs in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry in dilepton pairs produced in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV, comparing results with Standard Model predictions across a wide mass and rapidity range.

Contribution

First measurement of A[FB] in pp collisions at 8 TeV over a broad mass and rapidity spectrum, providing data for testing the Standard Model.

Findings

A[FB] varies with dilepton mass and rapidity.

Results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.

Extends previous measurements to higher mass and rapidity ranges.

Abstract

A measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry A[FB] of oppositely charged lepton pairs (mu mu and e e) produced via Z/gamma* boson exchange in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 inverse femtobarns collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The measurement of A[FB] is performed for dilepton masses between 40 GeV and 2 TeV and for dilepton rapidity up to 5. The A[FB] measurements as a function of dilepton mass and rapidity are compared with the standard model predictions.