Estimate of the Abelian Z' boson decay width

TL;DR

This paper calculates the decay width of the Abelian Z' boson in a model-independent way, considering theoretical constraints and experimental limits, showing that a broad Z' width is possible and deriving new bounds on Z-Z' mixing.

Contribution

It provides a model-independent calculation of the Z' decay width, including constraints and comparisons with benchmark models, and updates bounds on Z-Z' mixing angles.

Findings

Z' decay width can be up to 100% of its mass.

Current limits on Z width do not constrain Z' width.

New bounds on Z-Z' mixing angle are consistent with LEP data.

Abstract

The Abelian $Z'$ boson decay width is calculated in a model-independent approach. The analysis takes into consideration the special relations between the $Z'$ couplings to the Standard model fields proper to the renormalizable theories. The constraints on the $Z'$ couplings to the Standard model fermions corresponding to the narrow width approximation are derived. The results are compared with the benchmark $Z'$ models, such as $Z'_{\chi }$ and $LR$. It is shown that the current experimental limits on the Standard model $Z$ width impose no limits on the $Z'$ width, so that the ratio $\Gamma _{Z'} / m_{Z'}$ is allowed to be up to 100%. This fact is connected with the smallness of the $Z-Z'$ mixing. So, the finite-width $Z'$ is admitted and cannot be excluded from consideration. Also, the new constraints on the $Z-Z'$ mixing angle are derived which agree with the corresponding earlier results of the LEP data analysis.