ZZ' Mixing in Presence of Standard Weak Loop Corrections

Abstract

We derive a method for a common treatment of Z' exchange, QED corrections, and weak loops. It is based on the form factor approach to the description of weak loop corrections to partial Z widths and cross sections. Problems connected with ZZ' mixing are discussed with special care. Our theoretical results are applied to the package ZFITTER. We demonstrate two different ways to the data analysis - one based on an extension of the standard model cross sections, the other on model-independent formulae together with the Z width calculations in presence of a Z'. With the resulting package ZEFIT+ZFITTER, LEP1 data from fermion pair production, including Bhabha scattering, can be analysed on, but also off the Z peak. Further, the code may be used at very high energies, e.g. in the region of a possible future linear e+e- collider.