Measurements of the W±→ℓ±ν and Z→ℓ+ℓ− production cross sections (where ℓ±=e±,μ±) in proton–proton collisions at s=13 TeV are presented using data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 81 pb−1. The total inclusive W±-boson production cross sections times the single-lepton-flavour branching ratios are σW+tot=11.83±0.02 (stat)±0.32 (sys)±0.25 (lumi) nb and σW−tot=8.79±0.02 (stat)±0.24 (sys)±0.18 (lumi) nb for W+ and W−, respectively. The total inclusive Z-boson production cross section times leptonic branching ratio, within the invariant mass window 66<116 GeV, is σZtot=1.981±0.007 (stat)±0.038 (sys)±0.042 (lumi) nb. The W+, W−, and Z-boson production cross sections and cross-section ratios within a fiducial region defined by the detector acceptance are also measured. The cross-section ratios benefit from significant cancellation of experimental uncertainties, resulting in σW+fid/σW−fid=1.295±0.003 (stat)±0.010 (sys) and σW±fid/σZfid=10.31±0.04 (stat)±0.20 (sys). Theoretical predictions, based on calculations accurate to next-to-next-to-leading order for quantum chromodynamics and to next-to-leading order for electroweak processes and which employ different parton distribution function sets, are compared to these measurements.

Aad, G., Abbott, B., Abdallah, J., Abdinov, O., Abeloos, B., Aben, R., et al. (2016). Measurement of W± and Z-boson production cross sections in pp collisions at s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector. PHYSICS LETTERS. SECTION B, 759, 601-621 [10.1016/j.physletb.2016.06.023].

Measurement of W± and Z-boson production cross sections in pp collisions at s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

F. Ceradini;B. Di Micco;R. Di Nardo;D. Orestano;F. Petrucci;D. Puddu;