Z′ studies at the LHC: an update

We reanalyse the potential of the LHC to discover new Z ′ gauge bosons and to discriminate between various theoretical models. Using a fast LHC detector simulation, we have investigated how well the characteristics of Z ′ bosons from different models can be measured. For this analysis we have combined the information coming from the cross section measurement, which provides also the Z ′ mass and total width, the forward–backward charge asymmetries on- and off-peak, and the Z ′ rapidity distribution, which is sensitive to its u u ̄ and d d ̄ couplings. We confirm that new Z ′ bosons can be observed in the process pp → Z ′→ℓ + ℓ − , up to masses of about 5 TeV for an integrated luminosity of 100 fb −1 . The off- and on-resonance peak forward–backward charge asymmetries A FB ℓ show that interesting statistical accuracies can be obtained up to Z ′ masses of the order of 2 TeV. We then show how the different experimental observables allow for a diagnosis of the Z ′ boson and the distinction between the various considered models.