$$e^+e^- \rightarrow s\bar{s}$$ at $$\sqrt{s} = 250$$ GeV in future linear colliders

Abstract The forward–backward asymmetry ( $$A_{{{\text{FB}}}}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>A</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>FB</mml:mtext> </mml:msub> </mml:math> ) in light-quark production is a sensitive probe of the electroweak sector and potential flavor-dependent BSM effects. We present a study of $$e^+e^- \rightarrow s\bar{s}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>e</mml:mi> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> </mml:msup> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>e</mml:mi> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> </mml:msup> <mml:mo>→</mml:mo> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> <mml:mover> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>¯</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> </mml:mover> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> at $$\sqrt{s}=250$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:msqrt> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> </mml:msqrt> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mn>250</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> GeV at future linear colliders, using full International Large Detector (ILD) simulation and reconstruction tools for the International Linear Collider (ILC), and the Linear Facility at CERN (LCF@CERN). We assess the impact of particle identification on charge reconstruction and $$A_{{{\text{FB}}}}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>A</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>FB</mml:mtext> </mml:msub> </mml:math> extraction, considering software improvements using Comprehensive PID (CPID) for optimal $$dE/dx$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>d</mml:mi> <mml:mi>E</mml:mi> <mml:mo>/</mml:mo> <mml:mi>d</mml:mi> <mml:mi>x</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> usage, as well as hardware scenarios including cluster counting ( $$dN/dx$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>d</mml:mi> <mml:mi>N</mml:mi> <mml:mo>/</mml:mo> <mml:mi>d</mml:mi> <mml:mi>x</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> ) and ideal Time Projection Chamber (TPC) performance. Improvements in statistical discrimination are evaluated with corrections for charge misidentification and acceptance applied. Results indicate that precise $$A_{{{\text{FB}}}}^{{{s\bar{s}}}}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msubsup> <mml:mi>A</mml:mi> <mml:mrow> <mml:mtext>FB</mml:mtext> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> <mml:mover> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>¯</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> </mml:mover> </mml:mrow> </mml:msubsup> </mml:math> measurements are feasible and that advanced PID is key to maximizing sensitivity to electroweak and new-physics effects.