Production of vector resonances at the LHC via WZ-scattering: a unitarized EChL analysis

TL;DR

This paper models and simulates the production of vector resonances at the LHC via WZ scattering, using a unitarized electroweak chiral Lagrangian approach to predict signals in future collider data.

Contribution

It introduces the IAM-MC model, combining the inverse amplitude method with Monte Carlo simulations, for a model-independent analysis of vector resonances in WZ scattering at the LHC.

Findings

Resonances with masses 1.5-2.5 TeV can be detected in leptonic decay channels.

The IAM-MC model successfully reproduces unitarity and resonance behavior.

Potential signals are distinguishable from background in specific final states.

Abstract

In the present work we study the production of vector resonances at the LHC by means of the vector boson scattering $WZ \to WZ$ and explore the sensitivities to these resonances for the expected future LHC luminosities. We are assuming that these vector resonances are generated dynamically from the self interactions of the longitudinal gauge bosons, $W_L$ and $Z_L$, and work under the framework of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian to describe in a model independent way the supposedly strong dynamics of these modes. The properties of the vector resonances, mass, width and couplings to the $W$ and $Z$ gauge bosons are derived from the inverse amplitude method approach. We implement all these features into a single model, the IAM-MC, adapted for MonteCarlo, built in a Lagrangian language in terms of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian and a chiral Lagrangian for the vector resonances, which mimics the resonant behavior of the IAM and provides unitary amplitudes. The model has been implemented in MadGraph, allowing us to perform a realistic study of the signal versus background events at the LHC. In particular, we have focused our study on the $pp\to WZjj$ type of events, discussing first on the potential of the hadronic and semileptonic channels of the final $WZ$, and next exploring in more detail the clearest signals. These are provided by the leptonic decays of the gauge bosons, leading to a final state with $\ell_1^+\ell_1^-\ell_2^+\nu jj$, $\ell=e,\mu$, having a very distinctive signature, and showing clearly the emergence of the resonances with masses in the range of 1.5-2.5 TeV, which we have explored.