Z Boson Transverse Momentum Distribution, and ZZ and WZ Production: Measurements Using 7.3 – 8.6 fb–1 of p ̄p Collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

This work develops novel data analysis techniques enabling aspects of the Standard Model of particle physics to be tested with unprecedented precision using data from the DZero experiment at the high energy “Tevatron” proton-antiproton collider at Fermilab, Chicago. Vesterinen's measurements of the transverse momentum of Z bosons using the novel variable φ\* have exposed deficiencies in the current state-of-the-art theoretical predictions for vector boson production at hadron colliders. These techniques are now being used in the experiments at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and have stimulated considerable interest in the theoretical particle physics community. Furthermore, Vesterinen's measurements of the cross sections for the production of pairs of vector bosons (WZ and ZZ) are to date the most precise ever made. This work develops novel data analysis techniques enablingaspects of the Standard Model of particle physics to be tested with unprecedented precision using data from the DZero experiment at the high energy 'Tevatron' proton-antiproton collider at Fermilab, Chicago. Vesterinen's measurements of the transverse momentum of Z bosons using the novel variable [phi]* have exposed deficiencies in the current state-of-the-art theoretical predictions for vector boson production at hadron colliders. These techniques are now being used in the experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and have stimulated considerable interest in the theoretical particle physics community. Furthermore, Vesterinen's measurements of the cross sections for the production of pairs of vector bosons (WZ and ZZ) are to date the most precise ever made Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction and Theoretical Background....Pages 1-16 Experimental Apparatus....Pages 17-28 Experimental Techniques....Pages 29-36 Electron and Photon Energy Calibration....Pages 37-63 Novel Variables for Studying the Drell-Yan Transverse Momentum....Pages 65-80 Measurement of the Drell-Yan $$\phi ^{*}_{\eta }$$ Distribution....Pages 81-140 Measurement of the $$ZZ$$ and $$WZ$$ Production Cross Sections....Pages 141-206 Conclusions....Pages 207-209 Back Matter....Pages 211-218