Measurement of the cross-section for Z → e+e- production in pp collisions at sqrt{s}=7 TeV

[Figure not available: see fulltext.] A measurement of the cross-section for pp → Z → e⁺e^- is presented using data at sqrt{s}=7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.94 fb^-1. The process is measured within the kinematic acceptance p _T > 20 GeV/ c and 2 < η < 4.5 for the daughter electrons and dielectron invariant mass in the range 60-120 GeV/ c ². The cross-section is determined to be σ ( {ppto Zto {{e}⁺}{{e}^-}} )=76.0± 0.8± 2.0± 2.6pb where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is the uncertainty in the luminosity. The measurement is performed as a function of Z rapidity and as a function of an angular variable which is closely related to the Z transverse momentum. The results are compared with previous LHCb measurements and with theoretical predictions from QCD.