A direct measurement of the helicity dependence of the total photoabsorption cross section on the proton was carried out at MAMI (Mainz) in the energy range 200 < E_gamma < 800 MeV. The experiment used a 4$\pi$ detection system, a circularly polarized tagged photon beam and a frozen spin target. The contributions to the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule and to the forward spin polarizability $\gamma_0$ determined from the data are 226 \pm 5 (stat)\pm 12(sys) \mu b and -187 \pm 8 (stat)\pm 10(sys)10^{-6} fm^4, respectively, for 200 < E_\gamma < 800 MeV.

The reactions $\gamma p\to \eta p$ and $\gamma p\to \eta' p$ have been measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass energy $W=1.96$GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross sections were obtained with unprecedented accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section and excitation functions for $\eta$ photoproduction at the energies in vicinity of the $\eta'$ threshold, $W=1896$MeV ($E_\gamma=1447$MeV). This behavior is explained in a revised $\eta$MAID isobar model by a significant branching of the $N(1895)1/2^-$ nucleon resonance to both, $\eta p$ and $\eta' p$, confirming the existence and constraining the properties of this poorly known state.

Differential cross sections for the gamma p -> pi^0 p reaction have been measured with the A2 tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI C, up to the center-of-mass energy W=1.9 GeV. The new results, obtained with a fine energy and angular binning, increase the existing quantity of pi^0 photoproduction data by ~47%. Owing to the unprecedented statistical accuracy and the full angular coverage, the results are sensitive to high partial-wave amplitudes. This is demonstrated by the decomposition of the differential cross sections in terms of Legendre polynomials and by further comparison to model predictions. A new solution of the SAID partial-wave analysis obtained after adding the new data into the fit is presented.

The $\gamma n \to \pi^0 n$ differential cross section evaluated for 27 energy bins span the photon-energy range 290-813 MeV (W = 1.195-1.553 GeV) and the pion c.m. polar production angles, ranging from 18 deg to 162 deg, making use of model-dependent nuclear corrections to extract pi0 production data on the neutron from measurements on the deuteron target. Additionally, the total photoabsorption cross section was measured. The tagged photon beam produced by the 883-MeV electron beam of the Mainz Microtron MAMI was used for the 0-meson production. Our accumulation of 3.6 x 10^6 $\gamma n \to \pi^0 n$ events allowed a detailed study of the reaction dynamics. Our data are in reasonable agreement with previous A2 measurements and extend them to lower energies. The data are compared to predictions of previous SAID, MAID, and BnGa partial-wave analyses and to the latest SAID fit MA19 that included our data. Selected photon decay amplitudes $N^* \to \gamma n$ at the resonance poles are determined for the first time.

We present new data for the transverse target asymmetry T and the very first data for the beam-target asymmetry F in the $\vec \gamma \vec p\to\eta p$ reaction up to a center-of-mass energy of W=1.9 GeV. The data were obtained with the Crystal-Ball/TAPS detector setup at the Glasgow tagged photon facility of the Mainz Microtron MAMI. All existing model predictions fail to reproduce the new data indicating a significant impact on our understanding of the underlying dynamics of $\eta$ meson photoproduction. The peculiar nodal structure observed in existing T data close to threshold is not confirmed.

The quasifree $\overrightarrow{\gamma} d\to\pi^0n(p)$ photon beam asymmetry, $\Sigma$, has been measured at photon energies, $E_\gamma$, from 390 to 610 MeV, corresponding to center of mass energy from 1.271 to 1.424 GeV, for the first time. The data were collected in the A2 hall of the MAMI electron beam facility with the Crystal Ball and TAPS calorimeters covering pion center-of-mass angles from 49 to 148$^\circ$. In this kinematic region, polarization observables are sensitive to contributions from the $\Delta (1232)$ and $N(1440)$ resonances. The extracted values of $\Sigma$ have been compared to predictions based on partial-wave analyses (PWAs) of the existing pion photoproduction database. Our comparison includes the SAID, MAID, and Bonn-Gatchina analyses; while a revised SAID fit, including the new $\Sigma$ measurements, has also been performed. In addition, isospin symmetry is examined as a way to predict $\pi^0n$ photoproduction observables, based on fits to published data in the channels $\pi^0p$, $\pi^+n$, and $\pi^-p$.

None

The A 2 meson is studied in the decay mode ϱ 0 π − using partial wave analyses of 600 000 events from the reaction π − p→ π − π − π + p at 63 and 94 GeV incident momentum. Common production mechanisms are indicated for this resonance and diffractive 1 + and 2 − components.

Inclusive ϕ meson production has been measured for 100 GeV/c and 200 GeV/c incident π−,\(\bar p\) andK−, and for 120 GeV/c and 200 GeV/c incident π+,p andK+, using a Be target. A total of 630,000 ϕ mesons has been recorded in the kinematic range 0<xF<0.4. Presented are the differential cross sectionsdσ/dxF anddσ/dpT2. The longitudinal momentum distributions show that the strange valence quarks of the incidentK mesons play an important role in ϕ meson production, even at smallxF. The decay angular distribution of the ϕ meson is evaluated in the Gottfried-Jackson frame and is expressed in the elements of the density matrix. There is a small but significant cos2θGJ dependence for smallpT, which decreases for increasingpT.

We present an analysis of theKs0Ks0 system produced in the reaction π−p→Ks0Ks0n at 63 GeV based on ∼700 events in the kinematical region of |t|<0.5 GeV2. We concentrate on masses between 1,200 and 1,600 MeV where a double maximum structure is observed. Performing an amplitude analysis in this mass interval we find thatS,D0 andD+ waves contribute to the mass spectrum at approximately equal strength. The peaks are attributed to spin 2 waves. However, we failed to explained them by interferingf(1270),A2(1310) andf′(1520) resonances alone. While the first peak can be associated withf(1270)−A2(1310) production, an additional tensor meson is needed with mass of ∼1410 MeV and a narrow width for a description of the second one. The analysis as well as the energy dependence deduced from some publishedKs0Ks0 mass spectra suggests this object to be dominantly produced by a natural parity exchange. Because the 2++\(q\bar q\) nonet is already complete the nature of the new tensor meson is an open question.

The reactions\(K^ -Be \to {}^(\bar K^) *^0 (890)X,\pi ^ -Be \to {}^(\bar K^) *^0 (890)X\), have been studied in a 175 GeV unseparated hadron beam in the kinematic range 0<xF<1.0 andpT2<5 GeV2. Integrated cross-sections and the dependence of the cross-sections on the longitudinal and transverse momentum are presented, together with quark counting rules predictions. The nuclear dependence ofK− fragmentation intoK*0(890) with respect to Feynmanx is investigated from hydrogen to beryllium.

We present single inclusive π±, π0 andK± spectra in the forward fragmentation region (x>0.2,pT<1.5 GeV/c) as well as correlations between two charged particles. The data were recorded in an unseparated negative hadron beam at the CERN SPS using a large acceptance forward spectrometer. Our maasurements are compared in detail with several models which emphasise the role of the beam valence quarks in this production process. The connection to measurements at largepT is also investigated.

We study the polarization with respect to the normal to the production plane for a very clean sample of 27217 Λ 0 / Λ 0 hyperons produced in 230 GeV/ c π −  Cu interactions. In general we find P(Λ 0 ) ≈ P( Λ 0 ap; 0 except for x F > 0, p T > 1GeV/ c where P ( Λ 0 ) = −0.28±0.09(stat.)±0.02(syst.).

In the CERN NA32 experiment a high-resolution silicon vertex detector and a purely topological approach were used to collect 557 events consistent with associated charm production, both decay vertices being observed. The pseudorapidity gap distribution appears to be nearly independent of the nature of the charmed hadrons. This distribution is reasonably consistent with the next-to-leading order QCD calculations. However the azimuthal-angle distribution is significantly broader than the above predictions.

A search has been made for the hadronic production of charmed baryons and mesons with a large aperture forward magnetic spectrometer using 150 GeV protons originating from the CERN-SPS. A prompt electron trigger was used as a signature for charm. Upper limits at 90% confidence level have been obtained for the production of Λ c + D 0 , D 0 D + and D − : σ(Λ c ) ⩽ 8 μ b , σ( D 0 ) ⩽ 64 μ b , σ( D 0 ) < 37 μ b , σ( D + ) ⩽ 51 μ b and σ( D − ) ⩽ 49 μ b per nucleon, assuming linear A dependence. Systematic errors due to uncertainties in branching ratios and to model dependence of the acceptance calculation are discussed.

Nearly 200 000 examples of the diffractive process K − p → K − π − π + p at 63 GeV have been obtained using a two magnet spectrometer equipped with Čerenkov counters for secondary particle identification. In addition some 2000 examples of the process K − p → ω K − p have been obtained. The K ππ data have been subjected to partial-wave analysis. The dominant J P = 1 + system couples to K ∗ π , in both S and D waves, ϱ K, κπ and ε K. The data confirm the existence of two J P = 1 + Q mesons and their masses, widths and branching ratios are given. The ifωK data show that the couplings of the Q mesons to ω K are approximately equal to the couplings to ϱ 0 K. The two 1 + nonets expected in the quark model are discussed in the light of this and other recent experiments. There is strong evidence for a broad J P = 0 − resonance at about 1.46 GeV. At higher masses, structure in the J P = 2 − partial waves establishes the existence of at least one J P = 2 − L meson.

Diffractive production of the 3 π system has been studied at 63 and 94 GeV using a two magnet spectrometer with high, uniform acceptance. The total number of events used in the analysis is ∼600 000. The A 2 meson is shown to be diffractively produced. The existence of a resonant component in both the 1 + and 2 − enhancements is established and resonance parameters for the corresponding A 1 and A 3 mesons are given. There are several indications in the data of states which would correspond to radial excitations in the quark model.

We have studied the hadronic production of charmed mesons in the NA 32 experiment at CERN. A special trigger together with a high resolution vertex detector consisting of charge coupled devices and silicon microstrip detectors allowed the selection of very clean samples of charmed mesons. We have collected 852 fully reconstructed decays: 60Ds+→K+K−π+, 543D°→K−π+ andK−π+π−π+ as well as 249D+→K−π+π+ (or charge conjugate). 147 mesons out of our\({{D^0 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{D^0 } {\bar D^0 }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\bar D^0 }}\) sample were produced via chargedD* state. For all charmed mesons we determine the total production cross-section and study thexF andpt2 distributions.

Using data from the NA32 experiment at CERN we have studied the Λ + c decays containing a Σ + among the decay products. The interactions of 230 GeV π − with a Cu target were analysed using a precise vertex telescope (charge-coupled devices and silicon microstrip detectors) and the ACCMOR spectrometer. We have found eleven Λ + c →Σ + π + π − , one Λ + c →Σ + K + K − , two Λ + c →Σ + K + π − and one Λ + c →Σ + π + π − π + π − decays practically without any backgroun d. We have measured the branching ratios with respect to the Λ + c →pK − π + channel.

An experiment has been performed to search for associated hadronic production of charmed mesons, using a large-aperture forward magnetic spectrometer setup in a π − beam at the CERN SPS. A prompt electron trigger was used to select events containing a pair by charmed particles. D mesons have been identified by reconstruction of hadronic decay modes such as Kπ, Kππ. Data have been taken at 120, 175, and 200 GeV, The D D cross section measured at 175 200 GeV is σ( D D ) = (48 ± 15) μ b with a systematic uncertainty of ±50%. The energy dependence of the cross section is measured to be σ( D D ) [120 GeV )/σ( D D [175/200 GeV ] = 0.62 ± 0.34 .

None

The production of the neutralK− (892) resonances by 200 GeVK− andπ− has been studied over the kinematic range 0.0<xf<1.0 andpt2<5.0 GeV2. Longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions are presented. In addition the decay angular distributions inK− fragmentation to\(\bar K^{0*} \) have been investigated.

The inclusive reactions h+p→ φ +X, (h= π ±, ,K ± ,p ± ), are studied for 0⪅ x F ⪅0.3 and p ⊥ ⩽ 1 GeV at 93 and and 63 GeV incident momentum. Differential cross sections d σ /d p ⊥ 2 and dσ /d x F are presented and are compared with predictions of the naive parton model.

We have measured the differential and total cross sections ofD meson production in 200 GeV π−-beryllium interactions, using a sample of 48 fully reconstructed and nearly background-freeD mesons in the decay channelsK∓π±,K∓π±π± andK∓π∓π±π±. A single electron trigger has been used to select events containing a pair of charmed particles. A vertex telescope of 6 silison microstrip detectors allowed the reconstruction of tracks of charged secondaries and the reconstruction of primary and decay vertices with high precision. The ratio of branching fractions for\(\mathop {D^0 }\limits^{( - )}\to K^ \mp\pi ^ \pm\) to\(\mathop {D^0 }\limits^{( - )}\to K^ \mp\pi ^ \mp\pi ^ \pm\pi ^ \pm\), and an upper limit for\(D^0- \bar D^0 \) mixing are presented.

We have observed four unambiguous decays of the charmed strange baryon Ξ c o in the NA32 experiment at CERN. Charge- coupled devices and silicon microstrip detectors were used to reconstruct the decay mode Ξ c o → pK − K ∗ (892) o seen in events produced by the interaction of 230 GeV/ c negative poins and kaons on a copper target. We present the first measurement of the lifetime of the Ξ c o , together with a determination of its mass and production cross section. The resonant components of the Ξ c o decay are studied. We use our earlier measurement of the mass of the Ξ c + in the determination of the isospin mass splitting of the Ξ c states.

We have observed six unambiguous decays of the charmed strange baryon Ξ c + (or charge conjugate Ξ c − ) in the 230 GeV/c negative pions or kaons on a copper target at the CERN SPS using silicon microstrip detectors and charge-coupled devices for vertex reconstruction. Three of them have been reconstructed through the decay chain Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π + , Ξ − → Λ 0 π − , Λ 0 → pπ − and the other three through the decay chain Ξ c + → Σ + K − π + → pπ 0 . We present our measurements of the mass, lifetime and production cross-section of the Ξ c + , as well as of the branching ration for the two decay modes.

Form a sample of about 75000 τ decays measured in the ALEPH detector, 1-prong charged kaon decays are identified by the dE / dx measurement in the central detector. The resulting branching ratios for the inclusive and exclusive modes are: B ( τ → ν τ K − ≥ 0 π 0 ≥ 0 K 0 ) = (1.60±0.07±0.12)%, B ( τ → ν τ K − = (0.64±0.05±0.05)%, B ( τ → ν τ − π 0 = (0.53±0.05±0.07)% and B ( τ → ν τ K − π 0 π 0 ) = (0.04±0.03±0.02)%. Exclusive modes are corrected for measured K L 0 production. The rate for τ → ν τ K − agrees well with the prediction based on τ - μ universality.

Single top production via flavour changing neutral currents in the reactions e + e − → t ̄ c / u is searched for in approximately 411 pb −1 of data collected by ALEPH at centre-of-mass energies in the range between 189 and 202 GeV. In total, 58 events are selected in the data to be compared with 50.3 expected from Standard Model backgrounds. No deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed. Upper limits at 95% CL on single top production cross sections at s =189 –202 GeV are derived. A model-dependent limit on the sum of branching ratios BR(t→Zc)+BR(t→Zu)<17% is obtained.

The triple gauge-boson couplings involving the W are determined using data samples collected with the ALEPH detector at mean centre-of-mass energies of 183 GeV and 189 GeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 57 pb^-1 and 174 pb^-1, respectively. The couplings, g^Z_1, Kappa_gamma and lambda_gamma, are measured using W-pair events, single-W production and single-gamma production. Each coupling is measured individually with the other two coupling fixed at their Standard Model value. Including ALEPH results from lower energies, the 95% confidence level intervals for the deviation to the Standard Model are -0.087 < Dg^Z_1 < 0.141 -0.200 < DKappa_gamma < 0.258 -0.062 < Lambda_gamma < 0.147. Fits are also presented where two or all three couplings are allowed to vary. In addition, W-pair events are used to set limits on the C- or P-violating couplings g^V_4, g^V_5, Kappa_V, and Lambda_V, where V denotes either gamma or Z. No deviations from the Standard Model expectations are observed.

Inclusive branching ratios involving b to tau transitions are measured in approximately four million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP. The fully-inclusive branching ratio b -> tau nu X and the semi-inclusive branching ratio b -> tau nu D*+/- X are measured to be (2.43 +/- 0.20 +/- 0.25)% and (0.88 +/- 0.31 +/- 0.28)%, in agreement with the standard model predictions. Upper limits on the branching fractions b -> tau nu and b -> s nu nubar are set to 8.3 10**-4 and 6.4 10**-4 at the 90% C.L. These results allow a 90% C.L. lower limit of 0.40 (GeV/c**2)**-1 to be set on the tan(beta)/mH+/- ratio, in the framework of type-II two-Higgs-doublet mode

The decay B0 -> J/psi K0_S is reconstructed with J/psi -> e+ e- or mu+ mu- and K0_S -> pi+ pi-. From the full ALEPH dataset at LEP1 of about 4 million hadronic Z decays, 23 candidates are selected with an estimated purity of 71%. They are used to measure the CP asymmetry of this decay, given by sin 2beta in the Standard Model, with the result sin 2beta = 0.84 +0.82-1.04 +-0.16. This is combined with existing measurements from other experiments, and increases the confidence level that CP violation has been observed in this channel to 98%.

The polarisation of $\tau$'s produced in Z decay is measured using 160 pb$^{-1}$ of data accumulated at LEP by the ALEPH detector between 1990 and 1995. The variation of the polarisation with polar angle yields the two parameters ${\cal A}_e = 0.1504 \pm 0.0068 $ and ${\cal A}_{\tau} = 0.1451 \pm 0.0059$ which are consistent with the hypothesis of $e$-$\tau$ universality. Assuming universality, the value ${\cal A}_{e{-}\tau} = 0.1474 \pm 0.0045$ is obtained from which the effective weak mixing angle $\sin^2 {\theta_{\mathrm{W}}^{\mathrm{eff}}} =0.23147 \pm 0.00057 $ is derived.

The interaction of virtual photons is investigated using double tagged gammagamma events with hadronic final states recorded by the ALEPH experiment at e^+e^- centre-of-mass energies between 188 and 209 GeV. The measured cross section is compared to Monte Carlo models, and to next-to-leading-order QCD and BFKL calculations.

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.

Exclusive production of π and K meson pairs in two photon collisions is measured with ALEPH data collected between 1992 and 2000. Cross-sections are presented as a function of cos θ ∗ and invariant mass, for | cos θ ∗ |<0.6 and invariant masses between 2.0 and 6.0 GeV/ c 2 (2.25 and 4.0 GeV/ c 2 ) for pions (kaons). The shape of the distributions are found to be well described by QCD predictions but the data have a significantly higher normalization.

The production of W-pairs is analysed in a data sample collected by ALEPH at a mean centre-of-mass energy of 188.6 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 174.2 pb^-1. Cross sections are given for different topologies of W decays into leptons or hadrons. Combining all final states and assuming Standard Model branching fractions, the total W-pair cross section is measured to be 15.71 +- 0.34 (stat) +- 0.18 (syst) pb. Using also the W-pair data samples collected by ALEPH at lower centre-of-mass energies, the decay branching fraction of the W boson into hadrons is measured to be BR (W > hadrons) = 66.97 +- 0.65 (stat) +- 0.32 (syst) %, allowing a determination of the CKM matrix element |V(cs)|= 0.951 +- 0.030 (stat) +- 0.015 (syst).

A measurement of the spectral functions of non-strange τ vector current final states is presented, using 124 358 τ pairs recorded by the ALEPH detector at LEP during the years 1991 to 1994. The spectral functions of the dominant two- and four-pion τ decay channels are compared to published results of e+e- annihilation experiments via isospin rotation. A combined fit of the pion form factor from τ decays and e+e- data is performed using different parametrizations. The mass and the width of the ρ±(770) and the ρ0(770) are separately determined in order to extract possible isospin violating effects. The mass and width differences are measured to be Mρ±(770) - Mρ0(770) = (0.0 ± 1.0) MeV/c2 and Γρ±(770) - Γρ0(770) = (0.1 ± 1.9) MeV/c2.

The 132 pbt - 1 of data collected by ALEPH from 1991 to 1994 have been used to analyze η and ω production in τ decays. The following branching fractions have been measured: \(B\left( {{\tau ^ - } \to {\nu _\tau }\omega {h^ - }} \right) = \left( {1.91 \pm 0.07 \pm 0.06} \right) \times {10^{ - 2}},\)\(B\left( {{\tau ^ - } \to {\nu _\tau }\omega {h^ - }{\pi ^0}} \right) = \left( {4.3 \pm 0.6 \pm 0.5} \right) \times {10^{ - 3}},\)\(B\left( {{\tau ^ - } \to {\nu _\tau }\eta {K^ - }} \right) = \left( {2.9_{ - 1.2}^{ + 1.3} \pm 0.7} \right) \times {10^{ - 4}},\)\(B\left( {{\tau ^ - } \to {\nu _\tau }\eta {h^ - }{\pi ^0}} \right) = \left( {1.8 \pm 0.4 \pm 0.2} \right) \times {10^{ - 3}}\) and the 95% C.L. limit B(τ− → ντηπt -) < 6.2 × 10t - 4 has been obtained. The ωπt- and ηπt -π0 rates and dynamics are found in agreement with the predictions made from e+e∼ - annihilation data with the help of isospin invariance (CVC).

We report on properties of hadronic events from e + e − annihilation observed by the ALEPH detector at the large Electron Positron Collider at CERN. The center-of-mass energy was s =91.0−91.3 GeV . Measured distributions of the global event-shape variables sphericity, aplanarity, thrust and minor value, and of the inclusive variables x p , p ⊥ in , p ⊥ out and y are presented. We measure a mean charged multiplicity in hadronic events of 〈 N ch 〉=21.3±0.1 (statistical)±0.6 (systematic). The data are in good agreement with QCD-based models which use the leading-logarithm approximation, and are less well described by a model using O( α s 2 ) QCD.

More extensive and precise results are reported on the parameters of Z decay. On the basis of 20 000 Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP we find M z =91.182±0.026 (exp.) ±0.030 (beam) GeV, Γ z =2.541±0.056 GeV and σ had 0 =41.4±0.8 nb. The partial widths for the hadronic and leptonic channels are Γ had =1804±44 MeV, Γ e + e − =82.1±3.4 MeV, Γ μ + μ − =87.9±6.0 MeV and Γ τ + τ − =86.1±5.6 MeV, in good agreement with the standard model. On the basis of the average leptonic width Γ ℓ + ℓ − =83.9±2.2 MeV, the effective weak mixing angle is found to be sin 2 θ w ( M z )=0.231±0.008. Usin g the partial widths calculated in the standard model, the number of light neutrino families is N ν =3.01±0.15 (exp.)±0.05 (theor.).

The cross-section for e + e − → hadrons in the vicinity of the Z boson peak has been measured with the ALEPH detector at the CERN Large Electron Positron collider, LEP. Measurements of the Z mass, M z = (91.174±0.070) GeV, the Z width Γ z =(2.68±0.15) GeV, and of the peak hadronic cross-section, σ had peak =(29.3±1.2) nb, are presented. With the constraints of the standard electroweak model, the number of light neutrino species is found to be N v =3.27±0.30. this results rules out of the possibility of a fourth type of light neutrino at 98% CL.

An analysis based on 124 000 selected $\tau$ pairs recorded by the ALEPH detector at LEP provides the vector $(V)$ and axial-v

The hadronic photon structure function $F_2^\gamma(x,Q^2)$ is measured from data taken with the ALEPH detector at LEP. At centre-of-mass energies between

Two samples of exclusive semileptonic decays, 579 B 0 → D ∗+ ℓ − ν ℓ events and 261 B 0 → D + ℓ − ν ℓ events, are selected from approximately 3.9 million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP. From the reconstructed differential decay rate of each sample, the product of the hadronic form factor F (ω) at zero recoil of the D (∗)+ meson and the CKM matrix element | V cb | are measured to be F D ∗+ (1)|V cb | = (31.9 ± 1.8 stat ± 1.9 syst ) × 10 −3 , F D + (1)| V cb | = (27.8 ± 6.8 stat ± 6.5 syst ) × 10 −3 . The ratio of the form factors F D + (1) and F D ∗+ (1) is measured to be F D + (1) F D ∗+ (1) = 0.87 ± 0.22 stat ± 0.21 syst . A value of | V cb | is extracted from the two samples, using theoretical constraints on the slope and curvature of the hadronic form factors and their normalization at zero recoil, with the result | V cb | = (34.4 ± 1.6 stat ± 2.3 syst ± 1.4 th ) × 10 −3 . The branching fractions are measured from the two integrated spectra to be Br ( B 0 → D ∗+ ℓ − ν ℓ ) = (5.53 ± 0.26 stat ±0.52 syst ) %, Br ( B 0 → D ∗+ ℓ − ν ℓ ) = (2.35 ± 0.20 stat ± 0.44 syst ) %.

Using data collected from 1992 to 1995 with the ALEPH detector at LEP, a measurement of the colour factor ratios CA/CF and TF /CF and the strong coupling constant αs = CFαs(MZ)/(2π) has been performed by fitting theoretical predictions simultaneously to the measured differential two-jet rate and angular distributions in four-jet events. The result is found to be in excellent agreement with QCD, {fx4-1} Fixing CA/CF and TF/CF to the QCD values permits a determination of αs(MZ) and ηf, the number of active flavours. With this measurement the existence of a gluino with mass below 6.3 GeV/c2 is excluded at 95% confidence level.

From a sample of 150 000 hadronic Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP, events containing prompt leptons are used to measure the forward-backward asymmetries for the channels Z → b b and Z → c c , giving the results A FB b =0.126±0.028±0.012 and A FB c =0.064±0.039±0.030. These asymmetries correspond to the value of effective electroweak mixing angle at the Z mass sin 2 θ W ( m Z 2 ) = 0.2262±0.0053.

The polarization of τ leptons produced in the reaction e + e − → τ + τ − at the Z resonance has been measured using the τ decay modes e ν e ν τ , μν μ ν τ , πν τ , ϱν τ , and a 1 ν τ . The mean value obtained is P τ = −0.152±0.045, indicating that parity is violated in the neutral current process e + e − → τ + τ − . The result corresponds to a ratio of a neutral current vector and axial vector coupling constants of the τ lepton g V τ (M 2 Z ) g A τ (M 2 Z ) = 0.076±0.023 and a value of the electroweak mixing parameter sin 2 θ w ( M 2 Z ) = 0.2302 ± 0.0058.

A significant charge asymmetry is observed in the hadronic Z decays with the ALEPH detector at LEP. The asymmetry expressed in terms of the difference in momentum weighted charges in the two event hemispheres is measured to be < Q forward >−< Q backward >= −0.0084±0.0015 (stat.) ±0.0004 (exp. sys.). In the framework of the standard model this can be interpreted as a measurement of the effective electroweak mixing angle, sin 2 O w ( M z 2 =0.2300±0.0034 (stat.) ±0.0010 (exp. sys.) ±0.0038 (theor. sys.) or of the ratio of the vector to axual- vector coupling costants of the electron, g ve g Ae =+0.073±0.024.

Using 106 000 hadronic events obtained with the ALEPH detector at LEP at energies close to the Z resonance peak, the strong coupling constant α s is measured by an analysis of energy-energy correlations (EEC) and the global event shape variables thrust, C -parameter and oblateness. It is shown that the theoretical uncertainties can be significantly reduced if the final state particles are first combined in clusters using a minimum scaled invariant mass cut, Y cut , before these variables are computed. The combined result from all shape variables of pre-clustered events is α s ( M Z 2 = 0.117±0.005 for a renormalization scale μ= 1 2 M Z . For μ values between M Z and the b-quark mass, the result changes by −0.009 +0.006 .

An analysis of global event-shape variables has been carried out for the reaction e + e − →Z 0 →hadrons to measure the strong coupling constant α s . This study is based on 52 720 hadronic events obtained in 1989/90 with the ALEPH detector at the LEP collider at energies near the peak of the Z-resonance. In order to determine α s , second order QCD predictions modified by effects of perturbative higher orders and hadronization were fitted to the experimental distributions of event-shape variables. From a detailed analysis of the theoretical uncertainties we find that this approach is best justified for the differential two-jet rate, from which we obtain α s ( M Z 2 ) = 0.121 ± 0.002(stat.)±0.003(sys.)±0.007(theor.) using a renormalization scale ω = 1 2 M Z . The dependence of α s ( M Z 2 ) on ω is parameterized. For scales m b <ω< M Z the result varies by −0.012 +0.007 .