The forward-backward charge asymmetry for the process e + e − → b b ̄ → μ ± + hadrons has been measured using the JADE detector at PETRA. An asymmetry of (−22.8 ± 6.0 ± 2.5)% was observed at an average center of mass energy of 34.6 GeV. For comparison, an asymmetry of −25.2% is expected on the basis of the standard Glashow-Salam-Weinberg model.
THE VALUE OF CONST HAVE BEEN RESCALED TO DEFINITION I3(Q) = 1/2 BY OPY.
Cross-sections for hadronic, b-bbar and lepton pair final states in e+e- collisions at sqrt(s) = 183 GeV, measured with the OPAL detector at LEP, are presented and compared with the predictions of the Standard Model. Forward-backward asymmetries for the leptonic final states have also been measured. Cross-sections and asymmetries are also presented for data recorded in 1997 at sqrt(s) = 130 and 136 GeV. The results are used to measure the energy dependence of the electromagnetic coupling constant alpha_em, and to place limits on new physics as described by four-fermion contact interactions or by the exchange of a new heavy particle such as a leptoquark, or of a squark or sneutrino in supersymmetric theories with R-parity violation.
The asymmetries have been corrected for interference between initial- and final-state radiation. The errors shown are the combined statistical and systematic errors.
The asymmetries have been corrected for interference between initial- and final-state radiation. The errors shown are the combined statistical and systematic errors.
The asymmetries have been corrected for interference between initial- and final-state radiation. The errors shown are the combined statistical and systematic errors.
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.
Errors include statistical and systematic effects combined, with the formerdominant.
ASYM(C=MEAS) and ASYM(C=CORR) stand for measured values without (C=MEAS) and with (C=CORR) correction for interference between initial- and final-state radiation.
ASYM(C=MEAS) and ASYM(C=CORR) stand for measured values without (C=MEAS) and with (C=CORR) correction for interference between initial- and final-state radiation.