A MEASUREMENT OF Rμ = σ(W → μv)/σ(Z^0→ μ^+ μ^-) IN PP ̅ COLLISIONS AT √S = 1.8 TEV

A measurement in the muon channel of the ratio of W and Z production cross sections times branching ratios yields Rμ = σ(W → μv)/σ(Z^0→ μ^+ μ^-) = 9.8 ± 1.1(stat) ± 0.4(syst), where the statistics of the Z sample is the dominant uncertainty. The individual cross sections times branching ratios are σ(pp ̅ → W → μv) = 2.21 ± 0.07(stat) ± 0.14(syst) ± 0.15(lum) nb and σ(pp ̅ → Z^0→ μ^+ μ^-) = 0.226 ± 0.022( stat)± 0.018( syst) ± 0.015( lum) nb. Combining with previous CDF results in the electron channel yields the overall results R_1 = 10.0 ± 0.6(stat) ± 0.4(syst), σ(W → lv) = 2.21 ± 0.04(stat) ± 0.13(syst) ± 0.15(lum) nb, and σ(Z^0→ ll) = 214 ± 11(stat) ± 14(syst) ± 15(lum) pb. Using Standard Model assumptions we deduce the W inverse branching ratio and width, and a lower bound on the top quark mass of 45 GeV / c^2 (95% CL) which is independent of the decay mode. Lepton universality is confirmed in this energy domain. All results are in agreement with standard model predictions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Swartz, Raymond Lee

Contributors dc:contributor

• Errede, Steven M.

• time branching ratios
• computational physics
• electron channel
• Standard Model
• Lepton universality

Statement dc:rights

• 1994 Raymond Lee Swartz

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

3779583

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/18881