Electroweak-boson production from small to large collision systems with ALICE at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper reports on recent measurements of electroweak boson production across various collision systems at the LHC, providing insights into initial states and QCD mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents new measurements of W and Z bosons in different collision systems and rapidities, enhancing understanding of initial collision conditions and QCD effects.

Findings

W-boson production measured at 13 TeV in pp collisions.

Electroweak bosons measured in p--Pb and Pb--Pb collisions.

Results inform on initial state and parton interactions.

Abstract

Recent measurements of the electroweak-boson production performed by the ALICE Collaboration are reported. The W-boson production was measured at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, via the electronic decay of the boson. It was also measured in association with a hadron emitted back-to-back with respect to the electron. In heavy-ion collisions, the W- and Z-boson production was measured at forward rapidity in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 8.16$ TeV and Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, in their muonic decay channel. Measurements in pp collisions shed light on multiple parton interactions and colour reconnection mechanisms. In heavy-ion collisions the measurements of electroweak bosons allow to probe the initial state of the collision.