General constraints on light resonances in a strongly coupled symmetry-breaking sector

In this paper we consider the information that can be obtained about a strongly interacting symmetry-breaking sector from precision measurements of four-fermion processes at CERN LEP2 or a (500 GeV) NLC. Using a “$Z$-peak” subtracted approach to describe four-fermion processes, we show that measurements of the cross section for muon production, the related forward-backward asymmetry, and the total cross section for the production of hadrons (except $t$’s) can place constraints on (or measure the effects of) the lightest vector or axial vector resonances present in a strong symmetry-breaking sector. We estimate that such effects will be visible at LEP2 for resonances of masses up to approximately 350 GeV, and at a 500 GeV NLC for resonances of masses up to approximately 800 GeV. Multiscale models, for example, predict the presence of light vector and axial vector mesons in this mass range and their effects could be probed by these measurements.