Constraints on Quartic Vector-Boson Interactions from Z Physics

Abstract

We obtain the constraints on possible anomalous quartic vector-boson vertices arising from the precision measurements at the $Z$ pole. In the framework of $SU(2)_L \otimes U(1)_Y$ chiral Lagrangians, we examine all effective operators of order $D=4$ that lead to four-gauge-boson interactions but do not induce anomalous trilinear vertices. We constrain the anomalous quartic interactions by evaluating their one-loop corrections to the $Z$ pole physics. Our analysis is performed in a generic $R_\xi$ gauge and it shows that only the operators that break the $SU(2)_C$ custodial symmetry get limits close to the theoretical expectations. Our results also indicate that these anomalous couplings are already out of reach of the Next Linear $e^+ e^-$ Collider, while the Large Hadron Collider could be able to further extend the bounds on some of these couplings.