Search for a neutral gauge boson with nonuniversal fermion couplings in vector boson fusion processes in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The CMS collaboration
CMS-EXO-21-015, 2024.

Abstract (data abstract)
A first search for a heavy neutral spin-1 gauge boson ($Z'$) produced via vector boson fusion processes and decaying to tau leptons is presented. The analysis considers scenarios in which the $Z'$ boson has nonuniversal fermion couplings that favor higher-generation fermions. These scenarios represent a physics phase space not yet fully explored at the LHC. The analysis is performed using LHC data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, collected from 2016 to 2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{-1}$. The data are consistent with the standard model expectation. Upper limits are set on the product of the cross section for production of the $Z'$ boson and its branching fraction to $\tau\tau$ or $WW$. As a consequence, masses below up to 2.45 TeV are excluded at 95$\%$ confidence level, depending on the $Z'$ coupling to weak bosons.

Loading Data...