Precision measurement of forward $Z$ boson production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a precise measurement of the Z boson production cross-section in the forward region at 13 TeV using LHCb data, confirming theoretical predictions within uncertainties.

Contribution

First precise measurement of Z boson production cross-section in the forward region at 13 TeV by LHCb, providing important validation of Standard Model predictions.

Findings

Measured cross-section: 196.4 pb with uncertainties

Results agree with theoretical predictions

Enhanced understanding of forward Z boson production

Abstract

A precision measurement of the $Z$ boson production cross-section at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV in the forward region is presented, using $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.1 fb$^{-1}$. The production cross-section is measured using $Z\rightarrow\mu^+\mu^-$ events within the fiducial region defined as pseudorapidity $2.0<\eta<4.5$ and transverse momentum $p_{T}>20$ GeV/$c$ for both muons and dimuon invariant mass $60<M_{\mu\mu}<120$ GeV/$c^2$. The integrated cross-section is determined to be \begin{equation*} \sigma(Z\rightarrow\mu^+\mu^-) = 196.4 \pm 0.2 \pm 1.6 \pm 3.9~pb, \end{equation*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the luminosity determination. The measured results are in agreement with theoretical predictions within uncertainties.