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).


Measurement of f(c --> D*+ X), f(b --> D*+ X) and Gamma(c anti-c)/Gamma(had) using D*+- mesons.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 1 (1998) 439-459, 1998.
Inspire Record 447145 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47409

The production rates of D^*+/- mesons in charm and bottom events at centre-of-mass energies of about 91 GeV and the partial width of primary cc(bar) pairs in hadronic Z^0 decays have been measured at LEP using almost 4.4 million hadronic Z^0 decays collected with the OPAL detector between 1990 and 1995. Using a combination of several charm quark tagging methods based on fully and partially reconstructed D^*+/- mesons, and a bottom tag based on identified muons and electrons, the hadronisation fractions of charm and bottom quarks into D^*+/- mesons have been found to be: f(b -> D^*+ X) = 0.173 +/- 0.016 +/- 0.012 and f(c -> D^*+ X) = 0.222 +/- 0.014 +/- 0.014 The fraction of cc(bar) events in hadronic Z^0 decays, Gamma_cc(bar)/Gamma_had = Gamma(Z^0 -> cc(bar))/Gamma(Z^0 -> hadrons), is determined to be Gamma_cc(bar)/Gamma_had = 0.180 +/- 0.011 +/- 0.012 +/- 0.006 In all cases the first error is statistical, and the second one systematic. The last error quoted for Gamma_cc(bar)/Gamma_had is due to external branching ratios.

3 data tables

No description provided.

No description provided.

The second syst. errors results due to extranal branching ratios. Charge conjugated states are implied. FD is considered as a quark fragmentation fraction. Sqrt(s(E+ E-)) = 91.2 GeV.


Measurement of the Q**2 evolution of the photon structure function F2(gamma).

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 411 (1997) 387-401, 1997.
Inspire Record 446673 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47450

New measurements are presented of the photon structure function F_2^gamma(Q) at four values of Q^2 between 9 and 59 GeV/c^2 based on data collected with the OPAL detector at centre-of-mass energies of 161-172 GeV, with a total integrated luminosity of 18.1 pb^-1. The evolution of F_2^gamma with Q^2 in bins of x is determined in the Q^2 range from 1.86 to 135 GeV/c^2 using data taken at centre-of-mass energies of 91 GeV and 161-172 GeV. F_2^gamma is observed to increase with Q^2 with a slope of 1/alpha_em dF_2^gamma/dln(Q^2) = 0.10 +0.05 -0.03 measured in the range 0.1 < x < 0.6.

5 data tables

Measured values of F2 for the SW sample.

Measured values of F2 for the FD sample.

F2 for the full X range (0.1 to 0.6) as a function of Q**2. The full SW andFD sample points are tabulated for completeness but are not in the plot or fits . The first three points are previous OPAL data at sqrt(s) = 91 GeV (ZP C74(1997)33).

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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 photon structure function F2(gamma) at low x.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 412 (1997) 225-234, 1997.
Inspire Record 447187 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.49560

Deep inelastic electron-photon scattering is studied using e+e- data collected by the OPAL detector at centre-of-mass energies sqrt{s_ee} ~ M_{Z^0}. The photon structure function F_2^gamma(x,Q^2) is explored in a Q^2 range of 1.1 to 6.6 GeV/c^2 at lower x values than ever before. To probe this kinematic region events are selected with a beam electron scattered into one of the OPAL luminosity calorimeters at scattering angles between 27 and 55 mrad. A measurement is presented of the photon structure function F_2^gamma(x,Q^2) at <Q^2> = 1.86 GeV^2 and 3.76 GeV^2 in five logarithmic x bins from 0.0025 to 0.2.

2 data tables

Measurement of the hadron photon structure function. Systematic errors do not contain any effects caused by the four momentum of the quasi-real photon being non zero.

Measurement of the hadron photon structure function. Systematic errors do not contain any effects caused by the four momentum of the quasi-real photon being non zero.


Spin alignment of leading K*(892)0 mesons in hadronic Z0 decays.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 412 (1997) 210-224, 1997.
Inspire Record 447146 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47440

Helicity density matrix elements for inclusive K*(892)^0 mesons from hadronic Z^0 decays have been measured over the full range of K^*0 momentum using data taken with the OPAL experiment at LEP. A preference for occupation of the helicity zero state is observed at all scaled momentum x_p values above 0.3, with the matrix element rho_00 rising to 0.66 +/- 0.11 for x_p > 0.7. The values of the real part of the off-diagonal element rho_1-1 are negative at large x_p, with a weighted average value of -0.09 +/- 0.03 for x_p > 0.3, in agreement with new theoretical predictions based on Standard Model parameters and coherent fragmentation of the qq(bar) system from the Z^0 decay. All other helicity density matrix elements measured are consistent with zero over the entire x_p range. The K^*0 fragmentation function has also been measured and the total rate determined to be 0.74 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.02 K*(892)^0 mesons per hadronic Z^0 decay.

4 data tables

Inclusive K*= cross section.

Helicity density matrices elemnts.

Ratios of helicity density matrices elements.

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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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Study of Phi(1020), D*+- and B* spin alignment in hadronic Z0 decays.

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 74 (1997) 437-449, 1997.
Inspire Record 440103 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47515

Measurements of helicity density matrix elements have been made for the φ(1020), D*± and B* vector mesons in multihadronic Z0 decays in the OPAL experiment at LEP. Results for inclusive φ produced with high energy show evidence for production preferentially in the helicity zero state, with ρ00 = 0.54 ± 0.08, compared to the value of 1/3 expected for no spin alignment. The corresponding element for the D*± has a value of 0.40 ± 0.02, also suggesting a deviation from 1/3. The B* result, with ρ00 = 0.36 ± 0.09, is consistent with no spin alignment. Off-diagonal elements have been measured for the f and D* mesons; for the D* the element Re ρ1−1 is non-zero, indicating non-independent fragmentation of the primary quarks.

4 data tables

Helicity density matrices elements. Helicity beam frame is used.

Charge conjugated states are understood.

Helicity density matrices elements. Charge conjugated states are understood.

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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.


An Improved measurement of R(b) using a double tagging method

The OPAL collaboration Ackerstaff, K. ; Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 74 (1997) 1-17, 1997.
Inspire Record 427104 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.47645

This paper describes an update of the double tagging measurement of the fraction, Rb, of Z0 → bb̅ events in hadronic Z0 decays, with statistics improved by including the data collected in 1994. The presence of electrons or muons from semileptonic decays of bottom hadrons and the detection of bottom hadron decay vertices were used together to obtain an event sample enriched in Z0 → bb̅ decays. The efficiency of the bb̅ event tagging was obtained from the data by comparing the numbers of events having a bottom signature in either one or both thrust hemispheres. Efficiency correlations between opposite event hemispheres are small (< 0.5%) and well understood through comparisons between the real and simulated data samples. A value of Rb= 0.2175 ± 0.0014 ± 0.0017 was obtained, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. The uncertainty on the decay width Γ(Z0 → cc̅) is not included in these errors. The result depends on Rc as follows: $${⩼ Delta R_{⤪ b}⩈er R_{⤪ b}}=-0.084{⩼ Delta R_{⤪ c}⩈er R_{⤪ c}},$$ where ΔRc is the deviation of Rc from the value 0.172 predicted by the Standard Model.

1 data table

No description provided.