Indirect Determination of the W Boson Width Based on Inclusive W- and Z-Boson Cross Sections at Tevatron and LHC

Abstract

The W boson decay width, Γ W , is predicted within the Standard Model with an uncertainty of 0.1%. New heavy particles that naturally appear in many scenarios beyond the Standard Model, could imply additional higher order corrections to the W boson propagator and therefore alter the W boson width. A precise determination of Γ W allows therefore for a stringent test of the Standard Model. In this work we discuss and derive Γ W from published cross section ratios of the inclusive W and Z boson production at Tevatron and LHC. These values are compared with the direct measurements of Γ W and also with the predicted value of the global electroweak fit.