Bb¯production on theZresonance and implications for CERN LEP 2

Abstract

In terms of an effective Lagrangian, we examine the effect of new physics associated with third-generation fermions on $b\overline{b}$ production at the $Z$ resonance and study its implications for CERN LEP2. We obtain the constraints on such operators with derivative couplings at LEP1 and the SLC, and determine the prospects for detecting their presence at LEP2. We find that despite the small observed deviations from the standard model on the $Z$ resonance, much larger deviations from standard model predictions are possible at LEP2, and the corresponding couplings can be determined rather precisely.