Search for resonances in the dilepton mass distribution in pp collisions at √s = 7TeV

Abstract

A search for narrow resonances at high mass in the dimuon and dielectron channels has been performed by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, using pp collision data recorded at √s = 7TeV. The event samples correspond to integrated luminosities of 40 pb−1 in the dimuon channel and 35 pb−1 in the dielectron channel. Heavy dilepton resonances are predicted in theoretical models with extra gauge bosons (Z′) or as Kaluza-Klein graviton excitations (GKK) in the Randall-Sundrum model. Upper limits on the inclusive cross section of Z′(GKK) ! ℓ+ℓ− relative to Z ! ℓ+ℓ− are presented. These limits exclude at 95% confidence level a Z′ with standard-model-like couplings below 1140 GeV, the superstring-inspired Z′ ψ below 887 GeV, and, for values of the coupling parameter k/MPl of 0.05 (0.1), Kaluza-Klein gravitons below 855 (1079) GeV.