We report on the properties of theZ resonance from 62 500Z decays into fermion pairs collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP, the Large Electron-Positron storage ring at CERN. We findMZ=(91.193±0.016exp±0.030LEP) GeV, ΓZ=(2497±31) MeV, σhad0=(41.86±0.66)nb, and for the partial widths Γinv=(489±24) MeV, Γhad(1754±27) MeV, Γee=(85.0±1.6)MeV, Γμμ=(80.0±2.5) MeV, and Γττ=(81.3±2.5) MeV, all in good agreement with the Standard Model. Assuming lepton universality and using a lepton sample without distinction of the final state we measure Γu=(84.3±1.3) MeV. The forward-backward asymmetry in leptonic decays is used to determine the vector and axial-vector weak coupling constants of leptors,gv2(MZ2)=(0.12±0.12)×10−2 andgA2(MZ2)=0.2528±0.0040. The number of light neutrino species isNν=2.91±0.13; the electroweak mixing angle is sin2θW(MZ2)=0.2291±0.0040.
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This final analysis of hadronic and leptonic cross-sections and of leptonic forward-backward asymmetries in e+e- collisions with the OPAL detector makes use of the full LEP1 data sample comprising 161 pb^-1 of integrated luminosity and 4.5 x 10^6 selected Z decays. An interpretation of the data in terms of contributions from pure Z exchange and from Z-gamma interference allows the parameters of the Z resonance to be determined in a model-independent way. Our results are in good agreement with lepton universality and consistent with the vector and axial-vector couplings predicted in the Standard Model. A fit to the complete dataset yields the fundamental Z resonance parameters: mZ = 91.1852 +- 0.0030 GeV, GZ = 2.4948 +- 0.0041 GeV, s0h = 41.501 +- 0.055 nb, Rl = 20.823 +- 0.044, and Afb0l = 0.0145 +- 0.0017. Transforming these parameters gives a measurement of the ratio between the decay width into invisible particles and the width to a single species of charged lepton, Ginv/Gl = 5.942 +- 0.027. Attributing the entire invisible width to neutrino decays and assuming the Standard Model couplings for neutrinos, this translates into a measurement of the effective number of light neutrino species, N_nu = 2.984 +- 0.013. Interpreting the data within the context of the Standard Model allows the mass of the top quark, mt = 162 +29-16 GeV, to be determined through its influence on radiative corrections. Alternatively, utilising the direct external measurement of mt as an additional constraint leads to a measurement of the strong coupling constant and the mass of the Higgs boson: alfa_s(mZ) = 0.127 +- 0.005 and mH = 390 +750-280 GeV.
The cross section for E+ E- production corrected to the simple kinematic acceptance region defined by ABS(COS(THETA(C=E-))) < 0.7 and THETA(C=ACOL) < 10 degrees. Statistical errors only are shown. Also given is the cross section value corrected for the beam energy spread to correspond to the physical cross sectionat the central value of SQRT(S).
The forward-backward charge asymmetry in E+ E- --> E+ E- production corrected to the simple kinematic acceptance region ABS(COS(THETA(P=5))) < 0.70 and THETA(C=ACOL) < 10 degrees, and the energy of each fermion required to be greater than 6 GeV. Statistical errors only are shown. Also given are the asymmetries after correction for the beam energy spread to correspond to the physical asymmetryat the central value of SQRT(S).
Cross-section and angular distributions for hadronic and lepton-pair final states in e+e- collisions at centre-of-mass energies between 189 GeV and 209 GeV, measured with the OPAL detector at LEP, are presented and compared with the predictions of the Standard Model. The measurements are used to determine the electromagnetic coupling constant alphaem at LEP2 energies. In addition, the results are used together with OPAL measurements at 91-183 GeV within the S-matrix formalism to determine the gamma-Z interference term and to make an almost model-independent measurement of the Z mass. Limits on extensions to the Standard Model described by effective four-fermion contact interactions or the addition of a heavy Z boson are also presented.
Measured cross section for E+ E- production.
Measured cross section for E+ E- production.
Measured cross section for E+ E- production.
During 1993 and 1995 LEP was run at 3 energies near the Z$^0$peak in order to give improved measurements of the mass and width of the resonance. During 1994, LEP o
Cross section and forward-backward asymmetry in the E+ E- channel for the 1993 data. The polar angle is 44 to 136 degrees. Additional systematic error for cross section of 0.46 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.29 PCT (absolute luminosity). Additional systematic error for the asymmetry of 0.0026.
Cross section and forward-backward asymmetry in the E+ E- channel for the 1994 data. The polar angle is 44 to 136 degrees. Additional systematic error for cross section of 0.52 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.14 PCT (absolute luminosity). Additional systematic error for the asymmetry of 0.0021.
Cross section and forward-backward asymmetry in the E+ E- channel for the 1995 data. The polar angle is 44 to 136 degrees. Additional systematic error for cross section of 0.52 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.14 PCT (absolute luminosity). Additional systematic error for the asymmetry of 0.0020.