We present a study of the global event shape variables thrust and heavy jet mass, of energy-energy correlations and of jet multiplicities based on 250 000 hadronic Z 0 decays. The data are compared to new QCD calculations including resummation of leading and next-to-leading logarithms to all orders. We determine the strong coupling constant α s (91.2 GeV) = 0.125±0.003 (exp) ± 0.008 (theor). The first error is the experimental uncertainty. The second error is due to hadronization uncertainties and approximations in the calculations of the higher order corrections.
Measured EEC distribution corrected for detector effects and photon radiation. Errors are combined statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Measured average jet multiplicities for the K_PT algorithm. All numbers are corrected for detector effects and photon radiation. Errors are combined statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Value of strong coupling constant, alpha_s, determined from the data. First error is experimental, the second is theoretical.