$$Z'$$ Z ′ s and sterile neutrinos from heterotic string models: exploring $$Z'$$ Z ′ mass exclusion limits

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the impact of sterile neutrinos on the decay rate of extra $$Z'$$ Z ′ s with mass in the TeV range in heterotic string derived models. We explore the impact of sterile neutrinos on the current $$Z'$$ Z ′ mass exclusion limits at the LHC, and how these bounds change when the parameter space of this specific class of models is modified.