NLO QCD corrections to polarized diboson production in semileptonic final states

Understanding the polarization structure and providing precise predictions for multiboson processes at the LHC is becoming urgent in the light of the upcoming run-3 and high-luminosity data. The CMS and ATLAS collaborations have already started using polarized predictions to perform template fits of the data, getting access to the polarization of W and Z bosons. So far, only fully leptonic decay channels have been considered in this perspective. The natural step forward is the investigation of hadronic decays of electroweak bosons. In this work, we compute NLO QCD corrections to the production and decay of WZ pairs at the LHC in final states with two charged leptons and jets. The calculation relies on the double-pole approximation and the separation of polarized states at the level of Standard Model amplitudes. The presented NLO-accurate results are necessary building blocks for a broad understanding and precise modeling of polarized diboson production in semileptonic decay channels.

Automated summary

Understanding and predicting the polarization structure of multiboson processes at the LHC is becoming increasingly important for the upcoming run-3 and high-luminosity data. The CMS and ATLAS collaborations are using polarized predictions to analyze data and determine the polarization of W and Z bosons. This study focuses on computing NLO QCD corrections for the production and decay of WZ pairs in final states with two charged leptons and jets, providing necessary insights for modeling polarized diboson production in semileptonic decay channels.