LHC tau-pair production constraints on a_τ and d_τ

We point out that relevant constraints on the anomalous magnetic ( a_τ aτ ) and electric ( d_τ dτ ) moment of the tau lepton can be derived from tau-pair production measurements performed at the LHC. Our conclusion is based on the observation that the leading relative deviations from the Standard Model prediction for pp → τ^+ τ^- pp→τ+τ− due to a_τ aτ and d_τ dτ are enhanced at high energies. Less precise measurements at hadron colliders can therefore offer the same or better sensitivity to new physics with respect to high-precision low-energy measurements performed at lepton machines. We derive bounds on a_τ aτ and d_τ dτ using the full LHC Run II data set on tau-pair production and compare our findings with the current best limits on the tau anomalous moments.