Probing Strongly-interacting Electroweak Dynamics through $W^{+}{W}^{-}/ZZ$ Ratios at Future $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ Colliders

Abstract

We point out that the ratio of $W^{+}{W}^{-}\to W^{+}{W}^{-}$ and $W^{+}{W}^{-}\to ZZ$ cross sections is a sensitive probe of the dynamics of electroweak symmetry breaking, in the CM energy region $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{ww}}^{}}\text{agt}1$~TeV where vector boson scattering may well become strong. We suggest ways in which this ratio can be extracted at a 1.5 TeV $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ linear collider, using $W^{\pm },Z\to jj$ hadronic decays and relying on dijet mass resolution to provide statistical discrimination between $W^{\pm }$ and $Z$. $WW$ fusion processes studied here are unique for exploring scalar resonances of mass about 1 TeV and are complementary to studies via the direct channel $e^{+}{e}^{-}\to W^{+}{W}^{-}$ for the vector and non-resonant cases. With an integrated luminosity of 200 fb${}^{-1}$, the signals obtained are statistically significant. Comparison with a study of $e^{-}{e}^{-}\to \nu \nu W^{-}{W}^{-}$ process is made. Enhancements of the signal rate from using a polarized electron beam, or at a 2 TeV $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ linear collider and possible higher energy ${\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$ colliders, are also presented.

Comments: Standard Latex, 24 pages, 8 postscript figures included (uufiled). Compressed postscript version with figures can be obtained at ftp://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1995/madph-95-865.ps.Z or at http://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1995/madph-95-865.ps.Z