The charged particle multiplicity distribution of hadronic Z decays was measured on the peak of the Z resonance using the ALEPH detector at LEP. Using a model independent unfolding procedure the distribution was found to have a mean 〈 n 〉=20.85±0.24 and a dispersion D =6.34±0.12. Comparison with lower energy data supports the KNO scaling hypothesis in the energy range s =29−91.25 GeV. At s =91.25 GeV the shape of the multiplicity distribution is well described by a log-normal distribution, as predicted from a cascading model for multi-particle production. The same model also successfully describes the energy dependence of the mean and width of the multiplicity distribution. A next-to-leading order QCD prediction in the framework of the modified leading-log approximation and local parton-hadron duality is found to fit the energy dependence of the mean but not the width of the charged multiplicity distribution, indicating that the width of the multiplicity distribution is a sensitive probe for higher order QCD or non-perturbative effects.
We have studied inclusive D*± production using the DELCO detector at PEP. Our technique involved kaon identification in the momentum range above 3.2 GeV/c using a threshold gas Čerenkov counter. This leads to a model-independent upper limit on D0−D¯0 mixing of 8.1% (90% confidence level). We also have measured the charm fragmentation function, which peaks at x≡PD*(Ebeam2−MD*2)12 of 0.56±0.06(stat.), and the total cross section for D* production, σ(D*±)=0.140±0.021(stat.)±0.032(syst.) nb (x>0.3, with radiative correction).
We present measurements of the structure function \Ft\ in $e~+p$ scattering at HERA in the range $3.5\;\Gevsq < \qsd < 5000\;\Gevsq$. A new reconstruction method has allowed a significant improvement in the resolution of the kinematic variables and an extension of the kinematic region covered by the experiment. At $ \qsd < 35 \;\Gevsq$ the range in $x$ now spans $6.3\cdot 10~{-5} < x < 0.08$ providing overlap with measurements from fixed target experiments. At values of $Q~2$ above 1000 GeV$~2$ the $x$ range extends to 0.5. Systematic errors below 5\perc\ have been achieved for most of the kinematic region. The structure function rises as \x\ decreases; the rise becomes more pronounced as \qsd\ increases. The behaviour of the structure function data is well described by next-to-leading order perturbative QCD as implemented in the DGLAP evolution equations.
We report values of $R = \sigma(e^+e^-\to {hadrons})/\sigma(e^+e^-\to\mu^+\mu^-)$ for 85 center-of-mass energies between 2 and 5 GeV measured with the upgraded Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider.
η production has been investigated by the Mark II collaboration at the SLAC e+e− storage ring PEP. η particles are reconstructed by their γγ decay mode. The η fragmentation function has been measured and found to be in good agreement with the Lund-model prediction. η′ production has been measured for the first time in high-energy e+e− annihilation. There is evidence at the 3σ level for Ds± decay into ηπ± and η′π±.
Inclusive Ω− production in e+e− annihilation at 29 GeV has been measured with the Mark II detector. From an integrated luminosity of 207 pb−1, we determine a production rate of 0.014±0.006±0.004 Ω−, Ω¯+ per hadronic event. This is roughly 35 times the Lund-model prediction of 0.0004 Ω−, Ω¯+ per hadronic event, but comparable to the Webber-model prediction of 0.006 Ω−, Ω¯+ per hadronic event. The large rate of Ω− production, compared with production rates for other baryons, and with theoretical predictions based on diquark models, indicates that spin suppression does not hold for Ω− production.
Inclusive Ξ− production in e+e− annihilation at 29 GeV has been measured with the Mark II detector. From an integrated luminosity of 207 pb−1, we determine a production rate of 0.017±0.004±0.004 Ξ−+Ξ¯+ per hadronic event. A search for Ξ*0(1530)→Ξ−π+ leads to an upper limit of N(Ξ*0)/N(Ξ−)<0.35 at a 90% confidence level.
The cross section for the production of π+π− or K+K− pairs in γγ interactions is measured for mππ between 1.7 and 3.5 GeV/c2 and for two intervals of γγ center-of-mass scattering angle. Results are compared with predictions of a QCD model.
We report a measurement of the inclusive charged-particle distribution for gluon jets derived from nearly threefold-symmetric three-jet events taken at center-of-mass energy of 29 GeV in e+e− annihilation. The charged-particle spectrum for these jets is observed to fall off more rapidly than those of quark jets of the same energy.
The production of Λ hyperons in e+e− annihilation has been measured as a function of their total momenta, transverse momenta, and the event thrust. The total production rate is 0.213±0.012±0.018 Λ or Λ¯ per hadronic event. The observation of correlations in rapidity and angles for events with two detected Λ decays supports fragmentation models with local baryon-number compensation.