The strong coupling alpha_s(M_Z^2) has been measured using hadronic decays of Z^0 bosons collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. The data were compared with QCD predictions both at fixed order, O(alpha_s^2), and including resummed analytic formulae based on the next-to-leading logarithm approximation. In this comprehensive analysis we studied event shapes, jet rates, particle correlations, and angular energy flow, and checked the consistency between alpha_s(M_Z^2) values extracted from these different measures. Combining all results we obtain alpha_s(M_Z^2) = 0.1200 \pm 0.0025(exp.) \pm 0.0078(theor.), where the dominant uncertainty is from uncalculated higher order contributions.
Final average value of alpha_s. The second (DSYS) error is from the uncertainty on the theoretical part of the calculation.
TAU is 1-THRUST.
RHO is the normalized heavy jet mass MH**2/EVIS**2.
The value of the strong coupling constant,$$\alpha _s (M_{Z^0 } )$$, is determined from a study of 15 d
Differential jet mass distribution for the heavier jet using method T. The data are corrected for the finite acceptance and resolution of the detector and for initial state photon radiation.
Differential jet mass distribution for the jet mass difference using methodT. The data are corrected for the finite acceptance and resolution of the detec tor and for initial state photon radiation.
Differential jet mass distribution for the heavier jet using method M. The data are corrected for the finite acceptance and resolution of the detector and for initial state photon radiation.