Inclusive production of D*+- mesons in photon photon collisions at s**(1/2)(ee) = 183-GeV and 189-GeV and a first measurement of F2(c)(gamma).

The OPAL collaboration Abbiendi, G. ; Ackerstaff, K. ; Akesson, P.F. ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 16 (2000) 579-596, 2000.
Inspire Record 510531 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.35045

The inclusive production of D*+- mesons in photon-photon collisions has been measured using the OPAL detector at LEP at e+e- centre-of-mass energies of 183 and 189GeV. The D* mesons are reconstructed in their decay to D0pi+ with the D0 observed in the two decay modes Kpi+ and Kpi+pi-pi+. After background subtraction, 100.4+-12.6(stat) D*+- mesons have been selected in events without observed scattered beam electron ("anti-tagged") and 29.8+-5.9 (stat) D*+- mesons in events where one beam electron is scattered into the detector ("single-tagged"). Direct and single-resolved events are studied separately. Differential cross-sections as functions of the D* transverse momentum p_t and pseudorapidity \eta are presented in the kinematic region 2<p_t<12GeV and \eta<1.5. They are compared to next-to-leading order (NLO) perturbative QCD calculations. The total cross-section for the process (e+e- to e+e-ccbar), where the charm quarks are produced in the collision of two quasi-real photons, is measured to be 842+-97(stat)+-75(syst)+-196(extrapolation)pb. A first measurement of the charm structure function F2 of the photon is performed in the kinematic range 0.0014<x<0.87 and 5<Q^2<100 GeV^2, and the result is compared to a NLO perturbative QCD calculation.

7 data tables

Differential PT distribution for anti-tagged events for both D* decay modesand combined.

Differential ETARAP distribution for anti-tagged events for both D* decay modes and combined.

Integrated cross section using the anti-tagged events for D* production in the kinematic range of the experiment.

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Tests of the standard model and constraints on new physics from measurements of fermion pair production at 189-GeV to 209-GeV at LEP

The OPAL collaboration Abbiendi, G. ; Ainsley, C. ; Akesson, P.F. ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 33 (2004) 173-212, 2004.
Inspire Record 628491 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.43174

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.

18 data tables

CM energy values.

Measured cross section for QUARK QUARKBAR (HADRON) production. The data are corrected to no interference between initial and final state radiation.

Measured cross section for MU+ MU- production. The data are corrected to no interference between initial and final state radiation.

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Color reconnection studies in e+ e- --> W+ W- at s**(1/2) = 183-GeV.

The OPAL collaboration Abbiendi, G. ; Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 453 (1999) 153-168, 1999.
Inspire Record 482314 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47315

The predicted effects of final state interactions such as colour reconnection are investigated by measuring properties of hadronic decays of W bosons, recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s)=182.7 GeV in the OPAL detector at LEP. Dependence on the modelling of hadronic W decays is avoided by comparing W+W- -> qqqq events with the non-leptonic component of W+W- -> qqlnu events. The scaled momentum distribution, its mean value, x_p, and that of the charged particle multiplicity, n_ch, are measured and found to be consistent in the two channels. The measured differences are: Diff(x_p) = +0.7 +- 0.8 +- 0.6 and Diff(n_ch) = (-0.09 +- 0.09 +-0.05)*10**-2. In addition, measurements of rapidity and thrust are performed for W+W- -> qqqq events. The data are described well by standard QCD models and disfavour one model of colour reconnection within the ARIADNE program. The current implementation of the ELLIS-GEIGER model of colour reconnection is excluded. At the current level of statistical precision no evidence for colour reconnection effects was found in the observables studied. The predicted effect of colour reconnection on OPAL measurements of M_W is also quantified in the context of models studied.

1 data table

Here Z is defined as Z = 2*P(C=HADRON)/SQRT(S).


Measurement of the W boson mass and W+ W- production and decay properties in e+ e- collisions at s**(1/2) = 172-GeV

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 1 (1998) 395-424, 1998.
Inspire Record 448093 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47403

This paper describes the measurement of the W boson mass, M_W, and decay width, Gamma_W, from the direct reconstruction of the invariant mass of its decay products in W pair events collected at a mean centre-of-mass energy of sqrt{s} = 172.12 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP. Measurements of the W pair production cross-section, the W decay branching fractions and properties of the W decay final states are also described. A total of 120 candidate W^+W^- events has been selected for an integrated luminosity of 10.36 pb^-1. The W^+W^- production cross-section is measured to be sigma_WW = 12.3 +/- 1.3(stat.) +/- 0.3(syst.) pb, consistent with the Standard Model expectation. The W^+W^- -> qq(bar) l nu and W^+W^- -> qq(bar)qq(bar) final states are used to obtain a direct measurement of Gamma_W = 1.30^{+0.62}_{-0.55}(stat.) +/- 0.18(syst.) GeV. Assuming the Standard Model relation between M_W and Gamma_W, the W boson mass is measured to be M_W = 80.32 +/- 0.30(stat.) +/- 0.09(syst.) GeV. The event properties of the fully-hadronic decays of W^+W^- events are compared to those of the semi-leptonic decays. At the current level of precision there is no evidence for effects of colour reconnection in the observables studied. Combining data recorded by OPAL at sqrt{s} ~ 161-172 GeV, the W boson branching fraction to hadrons is determined to be 69.8^{+3.0}_{-3.2}(stat.) +/- 0.7(syst.)%, consistent with the prediction of the Standard Model. The combined mass measurement from direct reconstruction and from the W^+W^- production cross-sections measured at sqrt{s} ~ 161 and sqrt{s} ~ 172 GeV is M_W = 80.35 +/- 0.24(stat.) +/- 0.07(syst.) GeV.

1 data table

The fit assumptions are as follows: fitting branching ratios (C=BR-FIT), lepton universality is assumed (C=LEPT-UNIVERSALITY), and SM Br (C=BR-SM).


Tests of the standard model and constraints on new physics from measurements of fermion pair production at 130-GeV to 172-GeV at LEP

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 2 (1998) 441-472, 1998.
Inspire Record 447186 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47404

Production of events with hadronic and leptonic final states has been measured in e^+e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 130-172 GeV, using the OPAL detector at LEP. Cross-sections and leptonic forward-backward asymmetries are presented, both including and excluding the dominant production of radiative Z \gamma events, and compared to Standard Model expectations. The ratio R_b of the cross-section for bb(bar) production to the hadronic cross-section has been measured. In a model-independent fit to the Z lineshape, the data have been used to obtain an improved precision on the measurement of \gamma-Z interference. The energy dependence of \alpha_em has been investigated. The measurements have also been used to obtain limits on extensions of the Standard Model described by effective four-fermion contact interactions, to search for t-channel contributions from new massive particles and to place limits on chargino pair production with subsequent decay of the chargino into a light gluino and a quark pair.

15 data tables

SIG(C=MEAS) and SIG(C=CORR) stand for measured values without (C=MEAS) and with (C=CORR) correction for interference between initial- and final-state radiation.

The angular distribution of the thrust axis. Errors include statistical and systematic effects combined, with the former dominant.

The measured values include the effect of interference between initial- andfinal-state radiation.

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Measurement of the triple gauge boson coupling alpha (w phi) from W+ W- production in e+ e- collisions at s**(1/2) = 161-GeV

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 397 (1997) 147-157, 1997.
Inspire Record 440102 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47516

This letter describes a measurement of one of the anomalous triple gauge boson couplings using the first data recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP2. A total of 28 W-pair candidates have been selected for an integrated luminosity of 9.89±0.06 pb −1 recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of 161 GeV. We use these data to place constraints upon the coupling parameter α W φ . We analyse the predicted variation of the total cross-section for all observed channels and the distribution of kinematic variables in the semileptonic decay channels. We measure α W φ to be −0.61 −0.61 0.73 ±0.35, which is consistent with the Standard Model expectation of zero.

1 data table

ALPHA-W-PHI is the triple gauge boson couplings (TGC). For definition see 'Physics at LEP2', Ed. G. Altarelli, CERN 96-01 (1996), vol. 1.


QCD studies with e+ e- annihilation data at 161-GeV.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 75 (1997) 193-207, 1997.
Inspire Record 440721 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47487

We have studied hadronic events produced at LEP at a centre-of-mass energy of 161 GeV. We present distributions of event shape variables, jet rates, charged particle momentum spectra and multiplicities. We determine the strong coupling strength to be αs(161 GeV) = 0.101±0.005(stat.)±0.007(syst.), the mean charged particle multiplicity to be 〈nch〉(161 GeV) = 24.46 ± 0.45(stat.) ± 0.44(syst.) and the position of the peak in the ξp = ln(1/xp) distribution to be ξ0(161 GeV) = 4.00 ±0.03(stat.)±0.04(syst.). These results are compared to data taken at lower centre-of-mass energies and to analytic QCD or Monte Carlo predictions. Our measured value of αs(161 GeV) is consistent with other measurements of αs. Within the current statistical and systematic uncertainties, the PYTHIA, HERWIG and ARIADNE QCD Monte Carlo models and analytic calculations are in overall agreement with our measurements. The COJETS QCD Monte Carlo is in general agreement with the data for momentum weighted distributions like Thrust, but predicts a significantly larger charged particle multiplicity than is observed experimentally.

26 data tables

Determination of alpha_s.

Multiplicity and higher moments.

Thrust distribution.

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Measurement of the mass of the W boson in e+ e- collisions at S**(1/2) = 161-GeV

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 389 (1996) 416-428, 1996.
Inspire Record 425320 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47712

This letter describes the first observation of W boson pair production at a centre-of-mass energy s =161 GeV in the OPAL detector at LEP. The analysis is sensitive to all expected W + W − decay channels. A total of 28 events have been selected for an integrated luminosity of 9.89±0.06 pb −1 . This is consistent with the Standard Model expectation, including signal and background contributions. The W pair production cross-section is measured to be σ WW = 3.62 −0.82 +0.93 ±0.16 pb. An analysis of the predicted M W dependence of the accepted cross-section, taking into account interference in the four-fermion production processes, yields M W = 80.40 −0.41−0.10 +0.44+0.09 ±0.10 GeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively, and the third arises form the beam energy uncertainty.

1 data table

No description provided.


Production of fermion-pair events in e+ e- collisions at 161-GeV centre-of-mass energy.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 391 (1997) 221-234, 1997.
Inspire Record 426210 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47711

Cross-sections for hadronic and leptonic two-fermion events, and leptonic forward-backward asymmetries, have been measured in e + e − collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 161 GeV, using the OPAL detector at LEP. Results are presented both including and excluding the dominant production of radiative γZ 0 events. We have measured R b , the ratio of the number of b b to all multihadronic events at 161 GeV, and compared it to the result obtained at 130–136 GeV. All results agree well with the Standard Model expectations. In a model-independent fit to the Z 0 lineshape, the data presented here give an improved precision on the γZ 0 -interference term. The data have also been used to obtain new limits on extensions of the Standard Model described by effective four-fermion contact interactions.

3 data tables

No description provided.

No description provided.

THETA(P=4 5) is an acollinearity angle between electron and positron.


QCD studies with e+ e- annihilation data at 130-GeV and 136-GeV.

The OPAL collaboration Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; Altekamp, N. ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 72 (1996) 191-206, 1996.
Inspire Record 418007 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47564

We have studied hadronic events produced at LEP at centre-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV. Distributions of event shape observables, jet rates, momentum spectra and multiplicities are presented and compared to the predictions of several Monte Carlo models and analytic QCD calculations. From fits of event shape and jet rate distributions to\({\mathcal{O}}(\alpha _s^2 ) + NLLA\) QCD calculations, we determineαs(133 GeV)=0.110±0.005(stat.)±0.009(syst.). We measure the mean charged particle multiplicity 〈nch〉=23.40±0.45(stat.) ±0.47(syst.) and the position ζ0 of the peak in the ζp = ln(1/xp) distribution ζ0=3.94±0.05(stat.)±0.11(syst.). These results are compared to lower energy data and to analytic QCD or Monte Carlo predictions for their energy evolution.

23 data tables

Determination of alpha_s.

Multiplicity and high moments.

Tmajor distribution.

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