Measurement of σ(pp̄→Z)•B(Z→ττ) in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV

We present a measurement of the inclusive production cross section for Z bosons decaying to tau leptons in pp collisions at s=1.96TeV. We use a channel with one hadronically-decaying and one electronically-decaying tau. This measurement is based on 350pb-1 of CDF Run II data. Using a sample of 504 opposite sign eτ events with a total expected background of 190 events, we obtain σ(pp→4Z)•B(Z→ττ)=264±23(stat) ±14(syst)±15(lumi)pb, in agreement with the next-to-next-to- leading order QCD prediction. This is the first CDF cross section measurement using hadronically-decaying taus in Run II. © 2007 The American Physical Society.