Abstract
A measurement is presented of the Z/γ∗ → ττ cross section in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] , using data recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb-1 . The product of the inclusive cross section and branching fraction is measured to be σ(pp → Z/γ∗+X) B(Z/γ∗ → ττ) = 1848 ± 12 (stat) ± 67 (syst \,+\,lumi) pb , in agreement with the standard model expectation, computed at next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. The measurement is used to validate new analysis techniques relevant for future measurements of τ lepton production. The measurement also provides the reconstruction efficiency and energy scale for τ decays to hadrons + ντ final states, determined with respective relative uncertainties of 2.2 and 0.9%.