Measurement of the W → μν cross-sections as a function of the muon transverse momentum in pp collisions at 5.02 TeV

Journal article

The pp → W±(→ μ±νμ)X cross-sections are measured at a proton-proton centre-of-mass energy s=5.02 TeV using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 100 pb−1 recorded by the LHCb experiment. Considering muons in the pseudorapidity range 2.2 < η < 4.4, the cross-sections are measured differentially in twelve intervals of muon transverse momentum between 28 < pT< 52 GeV. Integrated over pT, the measured cross-sections areσW+→μ+νμ=300.9±2.4±3.8±6.0pb, σW−→μ−ν¯μ=236.9±2.1±2.7±4.7pb, where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are associated with the luminosity calibration. These integrated results are consistent with theoretical predictions. This analysis introduces a new method to determine the W-boson mass using the measured differential cross-sections corrected for detector effects. The measurement is performed on this statistically limited dataset as a proof of principle and yieldsmW=80369±130±33MeV, where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.

Authors: Aaij, R; Abdelmotteleb, ASW; Abellan Beteta, C; Abudinén, F; Ackernley, T

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Journal of High Energy Physics
• Volume: 2026
• Issue: 3
• Article number: 148
• Publication date: 2026-03-16
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-13
• DOI: 10.1007/jhep03(2026)148
• EISSN: 1029-8479
• ISSN: 1126-6708
• Language: English
• Keywords: Vector Boson Production; Electroweak Interaction; Hadron-Hadron Scattering