Measurement of Z gamma production in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Abstract

The production rate and kinematics of photons produced in association with Z bosons are studied using 2 fb(-1) of p (p) over bar collision data collected at the Collider Detector at Fermilab. The cross section for p (p) over bar -> l(+)l(-)gamma + X ( where the leptons l are either muons or electrons with dilepton mass M-ll > 40 GeV/c(2), and where the photon has transverse energy E-T(gamma) > 7 GeV and is well separated from the leptons) is 4.6 +/- 0.2(stat) +/- 0.3 (syst) +/- 0.3 (lum) pb, which is consistent with standard model expectations. We use the photon E-T distribution from Z gamma events where the Z has decayed to mu(+) mu(-) ,e(+) e(-), or nu(+) nu(-) to set limits on anomalous (non standard model) trilinear couplings between photons and Z bosons.