Hadronic Z decay data taken with the ALEPH detector at LEP1 are used to measure the three-jet rate as well as moments of various event-shape variables. The ratios of the observables obtained from b-tagged events and from an inclusive sample are determined. The mass of the b quark is extracted from a fit to the measured ratios using a next-to-leading order prediction including mass effects. Taking the first moment of the y3 distribution, which is the observable with the smallest hadronization corrections and systematic uncertainties, the result is: mb(MZ) = [3.27+-0.22(stat) +-0.22(exp)+-0.38(had)+-0.16(theo)] GeV/c2. The measured ratio is alternatively employed to test the flavour independence of the strong coupling constant for b and light quarks.

We present a study of the third moment of the inclusive momentum distribution of particles within jets produced by e + e - annihilation at TRISTAN. In this analysis, the QCD coupling strength α s is determined by fits to the prediction of the Next-to-Leading Logarithm Parton-Shower model. The measured value of α s (57.9 GeV ) = 0.134 -0.005 +0.006 .

A new measurement of αs is obtained from the distributions in thrust, heavy jet mass, energy-energy correlation and two recently introduced jet broadening variables following a method proposed by Cata

Using the Mark-J detector at the high-energy e+e− collider PETRA, we compare the data from hadron production with the complete second-order QCD calculation over the energy region 22 to 46.78 GeV. We determine the QCD parameter Λ=100±30−45+60 MeV which yields the strong-coupling constant αs=0.12±0.02 for s=44 GeV.

We present a comparison of the strong couplings of light ($u$, $d$, and $s$), $c$, and $b$ quarks determined from multijet rates in flavor-tagged samples of hadronic $Z~0$ decays recorded with the SLC Large Detector at the SLAC Linear Collider. Flavor separation on the basis of lifetime and decay multiplicity differences among hadrons containing light, $c$, and $b$ quarks was made using the SLD precision tracking system. We find: $\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~{uds}/{\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~{\rm all}} = 0.987 \pm 0.027({\rm stat}) \pm 0.022({\rm syst}) \pm 0.022({\rm theory})$, $\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~c/{\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~{\rm all}} = 1.012 \pm 0.104 \pm 0.102 \pm 0.096$, and $\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~b/{\alpha_s{_{\vphantom{y}}}~{\rm all}} = 1.026 \pm 0.041 \pm 0.041\pm 0.030.$

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.

We have compared a new QCD calculation by Clay and Ellis of energy-energy correlations (EEC’s) and their asymmetry (AEEC’s) in e+e− annihilation into hadrons with data collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. From fits of the new calculation, complete at O(αs2), we obtained αs(MZ2)=0.1184±0.0031(expt)±0.0129(theory) (EEC) and αs(MZ2)=0.1120±0.0034(expt)±0.0036(theory) (AEEC). The EEC result is significantly lower than that obtained from comparable fits using the O(αs2) calculation of Kunszt and Nason.

A multi-jet analysis of hadronic final states from e + e − annihilation in the energy range 27 < E cm < 32GeV is presented. The analysis uses a cluster method to identify the jets in a hadronic event. The distribution of the number of jets per event is compared with several models. From the number of identified coplanar three-jet events the strong coupling constant is determined to beα S = 0.15 ± 0.03 (stat. error) ± 0.02 (syst. error). The inferred energy distribution of the most energetic parton is in good agreement with the first-order QCD prediction. A scalar-gluon model is strongly disfavoured. Higher-twist contributions to the three-jet sample are found to be small.

The ration R = σ (e + e − → hadrons) σ μμ was measured between 12.0 and 36.7 GeV c.m. energy W with a precision of typically ± 5.2%. R is found to be constant with an average R = 4.01 ± 0.03 (stat) ± (syst.) for W ⩾ 14 GeV. Quarks are found to be point-like, the mass parameter describing a possible quark form-factor being larger than 186 GeV. Fits including QCD corrections and a weak neutral-current contribution are presented.

Measurements of energy-energy correlations in hadronic final states produced in e + e − annihilation at c.m. energies between 7.7 and 31.6 GeV are presented. The data are compared to perturbative QCD predictions. Good qualitative agreement above 20 GeV c.m. energy is found. The importance of non-perturbative effects is discussed, as well as the detailed behaviour of the correlation near 180°.

We have analyzed 1113 events of the reaction e + e − → hadrons at CM energies of 12 and 30 GeV in order to make a detailed comparison with QCD. Perturbative effects can be well separated from effects depending on the quark and gluon fragmentation parameters to yield a reliable measurement of the coupling constant α S . At 30 GeV, the result is α S = 0.17 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.03 (systematic). QCD model predictions, using the fragmentation parameters determined along with α S , agree with both gross properties of the final states and with detailed features of the three-jet states.

We report a high-precision measurement of the ratio R of the total cross section for e+e−→hadrons to that for e+e−→μ+μ−, at a center-of-mass energy of 29.0 GeV using the MAC detector. The result is R=3.96±0.09. This value of R is used to determine a value of the strong coupling constant αs of 0.23±0.06, nearly independent of fragmentation models. Two different analysis methods having quite different event-selection criteria have been used and the results are in agreement. Particular attention has been given to the study of systematic errors. New higher-order QED calculations are used for the luminosity determination and the acceptance for hadrons.

A study of the lateral development of jets of hadrons produced in electron-positron annihilation has been used to determine the strong coupling constant αs. Data were obtained with the MAC detector at the SLAC e+e− storage ring PEP at s=29 GeV. Based on the parton calculations of Gottschalk and Shatz, a value for αs of 0.133±0.005(stat)±0.009(syst) has been determined for string fragmentation, and 0.112±0.008(stat)±0.007(syst) for an independent-jet model.

Energy correlations have been measured with the MARK II detector at the PEP storage ring (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) at c.m. energy of 29 GeV and are compared to first-order QCD predictions. Fragmentation processes are significant and limit the precision with which the first-order strong-coupling constant can be determined.

We have determined the strong coupling $\as$ from a comprehensive study of energy-energy correlations ($EEC$) and their asymmetry ($AEEC$) in hadronic decays of $Z~0$ bosons collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. The data were compared with all four available predictions of QCD calculated up to $\Oa2$ in perturbation theory, and also with a resummed calculation matched to all four of these calculations. We find large discrepancies between $\as$ values extracted from the different $\Oa2$ calculations. We also find a large renormalization scale ambiguity in $\as$ determined from the $EEC$ using the $\Oa2$ calculations; this ambiguity is reduced in the case of the $AEEC$, and is very small when the matched calculations are used. Averaging over all calculations, and over the $EEC$ and $AEEC$ results, we obtain $\asz=0.124~{+0.003}_{-0.004} (exp.) \pm 0.009 (theory).$

This experiment was performed with the SLD detector at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Only charged tracks measured in the central drift chamber were used for the measurement of the jet production rates. The value of the strong coupling $\alpha_s (M_{Z^0})$ is determined from the production rates of jets in hadronic $Z^0$ decays in $e^+e^-$ annihilations. The relative jet rates are obtained using the JADE-type algorithms. The results are compared with the jet rates obtained from a new jet algorithm proposed by N. Brown et al. called the "Durham" algorithm. The data can be well described by $\mathcal{O}(\alpha^2_s)$ QCD calculations and by QCD shower model calculations. A fit of the theoretical predictions to the data taken with the SLD yields a value$\alpha_s(M_{Z^0})$ = $0.120 \pm 0.002(stat.) \pm 0.003(exp.)^{+0.011}_{-0.009}(theor.)$ The error is dominated by the theoretical uncertainties. The measurement is compared with results from other experiments and it is shown that the value obtained for $\alpha_s$ agrees well with these results and furthermore supports the evidence for the running of the strong coupling, consistent with the non-Abelian nature of QCD. The Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) can deliver partially longitudinally polarized electrons to the interaction point. Jet production rates and values for a, are calculated both for right-handed and left-handed initial state electrons. All results are consistent with the unpolarized result, as predicted by the Standard Model.

We measured the differential jet-multiplicity distribution in e+e− annihilation with the Mark II detector. This distribution is compared with the second-order QCD prediction and αs is determined to be 0.123±0.009±0.005 at √s≊MZ (at the SLAC Linear Collider) and 0.149±0.002±0.007 at √s=29 GeV (at the SLAC storage ring PEP). The running of αs between these two center-of-mass energies is consistent with the QCD prediction.

We have determined the strong coupling αs from measurements of jet rates in hadronic decays of Z0 bosons collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. Using six collinear and infrared safe jet algorithms we compared our data with the predictions of QCD calculated up to second order in perturbation theory, and also with resummed calculations. We find αs(MZ2)=0.118±0.002(stat)±0.003(syst)±0.010(theory), where the dominant uncertainty is from uncalculated higher order contributions.

We extract a set of values for the Gross-Llewellyn Smith sum rule at different values of 4-momentum transfer squared ($Q^{2}$), by combining revised CCFR neutrino data with data from other neutrino deep-inelastic scattering experiments for $1 < Q^2 < 15 GeV^2/c^2$. A comparison with the order $\alpha^{3}_{s}$ theoretical predictions yields a determination of $\alpha_{s}$ at the scale of the Z-boson mass of $0.114 \pm^{.009}_{.012}$. This measurement provides a new and useful test of perturbative QCD at low $Q^2$, because of the low uncertainties in the higher order calculations.

A measurement of the strong coupling constant α S is presented using hadronic events produced in e + e − annihilations at s =58.0 GeV from the AMY detector at TRISTAN. The measurement is based on comparisons of the distributions of thrust, heavy jet mass, total jet broadening, wide jet broadening, and energy-energy correlations with QCD calculations resummed up to next-to-leading-logarithms matched with the O ( α S 2 ) perturbative calculation. Combining the results of the individual evaluations, we find α S (58 GeV )=0.132±0.006 .

Jet event rates in deep inelastic ep scattering at HERA are investigated applying the modified JADE jet algorithm. The analysis uses data taken with the H1 detector in 1994 and 1995. The data are corrected for detector and hadronization effects and then compared with perturbative QCD predictions using next-to-leading order calculations. The strong coupling constant alpha_S(M_Z^2) is determined evaluating the jet event rates. Values of alpha_S(Q^2) are extracted in four different bins of the negative squared momentum transfer~$\qq$ in the range from 40 GeV2 to 4000 GeV2. A combined fit of the renormalization group equation to these several alpha_S(Q^2) values results in alpha_S(M_Z^2) = 0.117+-0.003(stat)+0.009-0.013(syst)+0.006(jet algorithm).

Events with a (2+1) jet topology in deep-inelastic scattering at HERA are studied in the kinematic range 200 < Q^2< 10,000 GeV^2. The rate of (2+1) jet events has been determined with the modified JADE jet algorithm as a function of the jet resolution parameter and is compared with the predictions of Monte Carlo models. In addition, the event rate is corrected for both hadronization and detector effects and is compared with next-to-leading order QCD calculations. A value of the strong coupling constant of alpha_s(M_Z^2)= 0.118+- 0.002 (stat.)^(+0.007)_(-0.008) (syst.)^(+0.007)_(-0.006) (theory) is extracted. The systematic error includes uncertainties in the calorimeter energy calibration, in the description of the data by current Monte Carlo models, and in the knowledge of the parton densities. The theoretical error is dominated by the renormalization scale ambiguity.

The strong coupling constant α s was determined from analyses of the thrust, heavy jet mass and, differential 2-jet rate, using e + e - hadronic events at s = 58 GeV with the TOPAZ detector at TRISTAN. The NLLjet Monte Carlo simulation (NLLjet) and analytic formulae based on resummation up to the next-to-leading logarithms combined with O ( α 2 s ) calculations were used to evaluate α s . The average α s values at Q 2 = (58 GeV) 2 from the analyses are α s = 0.125 ± 0.009 for NLLjet and α s = 0.132 ± 0.008 for the resummed analytic formulae.

Inclusive direct photon invariant cross sections have been measured in both p p and pp collisions at √ s = 24.3 GeV at the CERN SPS, permitting the first measurement of the difference of the p p and pp cross sections. The direct photon cross section in p p collisions has been found to be systematically larger than that in pp collisions, which indicates a significant contribution of the q q annihilation term as predicted by theoretical calculations.

Direct photon production cross sections obtained in high statistics p ̄ p and pp collisions at s =24.3 GeV at the CERN SPS are used in a next-to-leading order QCD analysis. From the cross section difference σ( p ̄ p → γX)−σ(pp → γX) and quark distributions measured in deep inelastic scattering, a determination of the strong coupling constant, α s , is performed via a measurement of Λ (4) MS . This measurement yields a value Λ (4) MS = 210±22 ( stat. )±44 ( syst. ) +105 −36 ( theo. ) MeV. The corresponding value of α s expressed at M 2 Z is α s (M 2 Z )=0.1112 ±0.0016 ( stat. ) ±0.0033 ( syst. ) +0.0077 −0.0034 ( theo. ) .