Using the Collider Detector at Fermilab, the W-boson differential cross section dσ/dPT is measured using W→eν events in proton-antiproton collisions at √s =1.8 TeV. A next-to-leading-order theoretical calculation agrees well with the data. The cross section (σ) for PT>50 GeV/c is measured to be 423±58(stat)±108(syst) pb.
An analysis of proton-antiproton collisions at √s =1.8 TeV recorded with the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) yields σ(pp¯→WX)B(W→μν)=2.21±0.22 nb and σ(pp¯→ZX)B(Z →μ+μ−)=0.226±0.032 nb. The ratio is Rμ=σWB(W→μν)/σZB(Z→μ+μ−)=9.8±1.2. Combining with previous CDF electron results gives σWB(W→lν)=2.20±0.20 nb, σZB(Z→l+l−)=0.214±0.023 nb, and Rl=10.0±0.8. We extract the ratios of the coupling constants gμ/ge and gτ/gμ. Using standard model assumptions we deduce the inverse branching ratio B−1(W→lν), the width Γ(W), and a decay-mode-independent lower bound on the top quark mass of 45 GeV/c2 (95% C.L.).
We have observed over 102 events of the type W→τν followed by τ→ hadrons, where the taus are identified by their decay into one or three charged particles. We measure the cross section times branching ratio for pp¯→W→τν and compare it to the value for W→eν to directly measure the ratio of weak coupling constants gτ/ge. We find gτ/ge=0.97±0.07, consistent with lepton universality.