New physics in e + e − → Zγ at the ILC with polarized beams: explorations beyond conventional anomalous triple gauge boson couplings

Abstract

One of the most-studied signals for physics beyond the standard model in the production of gauge bosons in electron-positron collisions is that due to the anomalous triple gauge boson couplings in the $Z \gamma$ final state. In this work, we study the implications of this at the ILC with polarized beams for signals that go beyond traditional anomalous triple neutral gauge boson couplings. Here we report a dimension-8 CP-conserving $Z \gamma Z$ vertex that has not found mention in the literature. We carry out a systematic study of the anomalous couplings in general terms and arrive at a classification. We then obtain linear-order distributions with and without CP violation. Furthermore, we place the study in the context of general BSM interactions represented by $e^+e^- Z \gamma$ contact interactions. We set up a correspondence between the triple gauge boson couplings and the four-point contact interactions. We also present sensitivities on these anomalous couplings, which will be achievable at the ILC with realistic polarization and luminosity.