Effective-Lagrangian approach to gamma gamma -->WW; I: Couplings and amplitudes

We consider the gauge-boson sector of a locally SU (2) × U (1) invariant effective Lagrangian with ten dimension-six operators added to the Lagrangian of the Standard Model. These operators induce anomalous three- and four-gauge-boson couplings and an anomalous γγH coupling. In the framework of this effective Lagrangian we calculate the helicity amplitudes and differential and total cross sections for the process γγ → W W at a photon collider. We give relations between different parts of the amplitudes that show which linear combinations of anomalous couplings are measurable in this reaction. The transformation properties of the differential cross section under CP are discussed. We find that three linear combinations of CP conserving and of CP violating couplings can be measured independently of the photon polarisation in γγ → W W .