Model independent constraints on a heavy neutral vector boson from present and future LEP and SLC data

Abstract

We review the information that is already provided and will be soon provided on the parameters of a new neutral boson of general nature from LEP and SLC experiments. We develop a strategy that associates the general independent lepton and quarkZ′ couplings to precisely defined experiments. For the specific case of particular popular models (E6, left-right symmetry, compositeZ) that we have analyzed, we predict, in case of negative searches, bounds of typical order one percent for theZ′ mixing angle and one TeV for theZ′ mass, at the end of the various experimental phases.