Constraints on L_μ - L_τ interactions at the LHC and beyond

In this paper we examine the constraints dedicated LHC multi lepton searches can place on $Z'$ bosons coming from gauged muon number minus tau number, $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$. As the $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ gauge boson does not couple to proton constituents or electrons at tree level, the current bounds are fairly loose, especially for $M_{Z'} \gtrsim 1\, \rm GeV$. For $2m_{\mu} < M_{Z'} < M_Z/2$ we develop search strategies using the $pp \rightarrow Z \to 4\, \mu$ channel. The cleanliness of the final state, combined with the fact that $pp \to Z \to 4 e$, $Z \to 2e\,2\mu$ can be used as background control samples, allow us to spot $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ $Z'$ with couplings $\mathcal O(10^{-3})$ times the Standard Model couplings. For lighter $Z'$, we propose the mode $pp \rightarrow 2\mu + \displaystyle{\not} E_T$. The presence of missing energy means there is a wider set of backgrounds to consider in this final state, such as Drell-Yan production of leptonically decaying $\tau$ pairs, however we find these can be controlled with careful cuts. Combining the $4\, \mu$ and $2\,\mu + \displaystyle{\not} E_T$ modes, we find that with $\sim3 \, \text{ab}^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity we are sensitive to couplings $g_{Z'} \gtrsim 0.005\, g_1$ and $0.5\, \rm GeV \le M_{Z'} \le 40\, \rm GeV$ and $g_{Z'} \gtrsim 0.001\, g_1$ for $M_{Z'} < 2\, m_{\mu}$. This region includes the parameter space where $L_{\mu}-L_{\tau}$ models can ameliorate the muon $g-2$ anomaly. We repeat these analyses at a future $e^+e^-$ Z-factory, where we find improved sensitivity. Specifically, given $2.6\, \rm ab^{-1}$ of luminosity, we can exclude $g_{Z'} \gtrsim 0.001\, g_1$ for $2\, m_{\mu} \le M_{Z'} \le M_Z/2$.