The production of electrons by bottom and charm hadrons has been studied in e + e − annihilation at 34.6 GeV center of mass energy. It is observed that the b quark fragmentation function is peaked at large values of the scaling variable z with 〈 z b 〉 = 0.84 +0.15 + 0.15 −0.10 − 0.11 . For c quarks 〈 z c 〉 = 0.57 +0.10 + 0.05 −0.09 − 0.06 is observed. A forward-backward charge asymmetry of A = −0.25 ± 0.22 was measured in b production.

The reactione+e−→µ+µ− has been studied at centre of mass energies between 35.0 and 46.8 GeV using the TASSO detector at PETRA. We present measurements of the forward-backward charge asymmetry (Aμμ) and cross section σμμ for this reaction at three energies. At 35.0 GeV we obtain a cross section relative to the QED prediction ofRμμ=σμμ/σo=0.932±0.018±0.044 andAμμ=(−10.6−2.3+2.2±0.5)%. At 38.3 GeV we findRμμ=0.951±0.072−0.057+0.063 andAμμ=(+1.7−8.6+8.5±0.5)%. At 43.6 GeV we measureRμμ=0.921±0.037±0.055 andAμμ=(−17.6−4.3+4.4±0.5)%. Our results are in good agreement with the predictions of the standard model. Including previous TASSO data we present improved determinations of muonic electroweak parameters. We also report on lower limits of possible contributions from contact interactions.

We report on total cross section and forward backward charge asymmetry measurements of the reactione+e− → τ+τ− at centre of mass energies of 35.0 GeV and 42.4 GeV using the TASSO detector. Including previous data an analysis in terms of electroweak parameters of the standard model is presented, and lower limits on mass scale parameters of residual contact interactions are given. A combined analysis of electroweak couplings using all our results on leptonic reactionse+e−→l+l− has been performed.

The production of prompt muons ine+e− annihilation has been studied at centre of mass energies near 34.5 GeV. The measured semi-muonic branching ratios ofb andc quarks areB(b»Xμv) =0.117±0.028±0.01 andB(c→Xμv)=0.082 ±0.012a−0.01+0.02. The fragmentation functions of heavy quarks are hard, <zb>=0.85a−0.12–0.07+0.10+0.02 and <zc> =0.77a−0.07–0.11+0.05+0.03. Limits have been set on flavour changing neutral current decays:B(b→Xµ+µ−) <0.02 andB(b→Xµ+µ− (95% confidence level).

We have observed τ pair production at average CM energies of 13.9, 22.3, 34.5 and 43.1 GeV. The cross-sections are consistent with QED, the cut off parameters beingΛ+>161 GeV andΛ−169 GeV (95% CL). The topological branching fraction of the τ to 1 charged particle,B1, is 0.847±0.011 (stat)−0.013+0.016(syst) and no decays to 5 charged particles were observed resulting inB5<0.007 (95% CL). Within the 3 charged track final stateB(τ−→π−π+π−v)/(B(τ−→π−π+π−v)+B(τ−→π−π+π−π0v))=0.37−0.20+0.35

We report on a measurement of the forward-backward charge asymmetry in e+e−→qq¯ at KEK TRISTAN, where the asymmetry is near maximum. We sum over all flavors and measure the asymmetry by determining the charge of the quark jets. In addition we exploit flavor dependencies in the jet charge determination to enhance the contributions of certain flavors. This provides a check on the asymmetries of individual flavors. The measurement agrees with the standard model expectations.

We have measured the properties of Z 0 → b b decays using a sample of 944 inclusive muon events, corresponding to 18 000 hadron events obtained with the L3 detector at LEP. We measured the partial decay width of the Z 0 into b b , Γ b b =353±48 MeV , and we determined the vector coupling of the Z 0 to the b quark; g rmv 2 (b)=0.095±0.047. We measured the forward-backward charge asymmetry in e + e − → b b events at √ s ≈ M v , and obtained A b b =13.3±9.9% .

The forward-backward asymmetry of quarks produced in e+e− annihilations, summed over all flavors, is measured at √s between 50 and 60.8 GeV. Methods of determining the charge direction of jet pairs are discussed. The asymmetry is found to agree with the five-flavor standard model.

At the tagged photon facility PHOENICS at the Bonn accelerator ELSA a measurement of the target asymmetry of the reaction γp→pη from threshold to 1150 MeV has been performed. Simultaneously the reaction γp→pπ0 has been measured in the first resonance region. Results are presented for both reactions. The target asymmetry data are suited to put considerable constraints on the model parameters used for the theoretical description of meson photoproduction.

The forward-backward charge asymmetries of theb andc quarks are measured with the JADE detector at PETRA at\(\sqrt s= 35\) GeV and 44 GeV using both electrons and muons to tag the heavy quarks. At\(\sqrt s= 35\) GeV, a simultaneous fit for the two asymmetries yields the resultAb=−9.3±5.2% (state.) ndAc=−9.6±4.0% (stat.). The systematic errors are comparable with the statistical uncertainties. Combining the measurements at both energies and alternately constraining the weak coupling of thec andb quark to their Standard Model values (ac=1,ab=−1) increases the precision of the measurement of coupling constant of the other quark. Using this procedureab=−0.72±0.34 andac=0.79±0.40, where the numbers are corrected for\(B\bar B - mixing\) and the errors include both statistical and systematic contributions. The mixing parameter for continuum\(b\bar b - production\) is determined to be χ-0.24±0.12 if both heavy quark coupling constants are constrained to their values in the Standard Model.

The forward-backward asymmetries of$$e^ + e^ - \to Z^0 \to b\bar b and e^ + e^ - \to Z^0 \to c\bar c$$

The charmed quark charge asymmetry has been measured at the average centre of mass energy of 35 GeV with the JADE detector at thee+e− storage ring PETRA. Charmed quarks were identified byD*± tagging using the ΔM technique.D*± mesons were reconstructed through their decay intoD0 mesons resulting in (Kπ) π and (K π π π) π final states. The measured charge asymmetryA=−0.149±0.067 is in agreement with the expectation from the electroweak interference effect in quantum flavour dynamics (QFD).

We have measured, at an average centre-of-mass energy of 34.22 GeV a forward-backward charge asymmetry in the reaction e + e − → μ + μ − of value −0.161 ± 0.032. This demonstrates the existence of an axial vector neutral current with coupling strength of g e a g μ a =0.53 ± 0.10. We have also obtained a limit on the vector coupling strength of g e v g μ v <0.12. The Weinberg angle is found to be sin 2 θ W =0.29 +0.09 −0.11 . From the reaction e + e − → τ + τ − we have found g e a g τ a <0.34, g e v g τ v <0.55.

The production ofb andc quarks ine+e− annihilation has been studied with the CELLO detector in the range from 35 GeV up to the highest PETRA energies. The heavy quarks have been tagged by their semileptonic decays. The charge asymmetries forb quarks at 35 and 43 GeV have been found to beAb=−(22.2±8.1)% andAb=−(49.1±16.5)%, respectively, using a method incorporating jet variables and their correlations for the separation of the heavy quarks from the back ground of the lighter quarks. Forc quarks we obtainAc=−(12.9±8.8)% andAc=+(7.7±14.0)%, respectively. The axial vector coupling constants of the heavy quarksc andb are found to beac=+(0.29±0.46) andab=−(1.15±0.41) taking\(B^0 \overline {B^0 } \) mixing into account. The results are in agreement with the expectations from the standard model.

None

We present a direct measurement of Ac=2vcac(vc2+ac2) from the left-right forward-backward asymmetry of D*+ and D+ mesons in Z0 events produced with the longitudinally polarized SLAC Linear Collider beam. These Z0→cc¯ events are tagged on the basis of event kinematics and decay topology from a sample of hadronic Z0 decays recorded by the SLAC Large Detector. We measure Ac0=0.73±0.22(stat)±0.10(syst).

We present direct measurements of the $Z~0$-lepton coupling asymmetry parameters, $A_e$, $A_\mu$, and $A_\tau$, based on a data sample of 12,063 leptonic $Z~0$ decays collected by the SLD detector. The $Z$ bosons are produced in collisions of beams of polarized $e~-$ with unpolarized $e~+$ at the SLAC Linear Collider. The couplings are extracted from the measurement of the left-right and forward-backward asymmetries for each lepton species. The results are: $A_e=0.152 \pm 0.012 {(stat)} \pm 0.001 {(syst)}$, $A_\mu=0.102 \pm 0.034 \pm 0.002$, and $A_\tau=0.195 \pm 0.034 \pm 0.003$.

A measurement of the forward--backward asymmetry of $e^{+}e^{-} \to c\bar{c}$ and $e^{+}e^{-} \to b\bar{b}$ on the $Z$ resonance is performed using about 3.5 million hadronic $Z$ decays collected by the DELPHI detector at LEP in the years 1992 to 1995. The heavy quark is tagged by the exclusive reconstruction of several $D$ meson decay modes. The forward--backward asymmetries for $c$ and $b$ quarks at the $Z$ resonance are determined to be: \[ \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.6} \begin{array}{rcr@{}l} \Afbc(\sqrt{s} = 91.235 {\rm GeV}) &=& &0.0659 \pm 0.0094 (stat) \pm 0.0035 (syst) \Afbb (\sqrt{s} = 91.235 {\rm GeV}) &=& &0.0762 \pm 0.0194 (stat) \pm 0.0085 (syst) \Afbc(\sqrt{s} = 89.434 {\rm GeV}) &=&-&0.0496 \pm 0.0368 (stat) \pm 0.0053 (syst) \Afbb(\sqrt{s} = 89.434 {\rm GeV}) &=& &0.0567 \pm 0.0756 (stat) \pm 0.0117 (syst) \Afbc(\sqrt{s} = 92.990 {\rm GeV}) &=& &0.1180 \pm 0.0318 (stat) \pm 0.0062 (syst) \Afbb(\sqrt{s} = 92.990 {\rm GeV}) &=& &0.0882 \pm 0.0633 (stat) \pm 0.0122 (syst) \end{array} \] The combination of these results leads to an effective electroweak mixing angle of: SINEFF = 0.2332 \pm 0.0016

We present a direct measurement of the parity-violation parameter $A_c$ in the coupling of the $Z^0$ to $c$-quarks with the SLD detector. The measurement is based on a sample of 530k hadronic $Z^0$ decays, produced with a mean electron-beam polarization of $|P_e| = 73 %$. The tagging of $c$-quark events is performed using two methods: the exclusive reconstruction of $D^{\ast+}$, $D^+$, and $D^0$ mesons, and the soft-pions ($\pi_s$) produced in the decay of $D^{\ast+}\to D^0 \pi_s^+$. The large background from $D$ mesons produced in $B$ hadron decays is separated efficiently from the signal using precision vertex information. The combination of these two methods yields $A_c = 0.688 \pm 0.041.$

This final analysis of hadronic and leptonic cross-sections and of leptonic forward-backward asymmetries in e+e- collisions with the OPAL detector makes use of the full LEP1 data sample comprising 161 pb^-1 of integrated luminosity and 4.5 x 10^6 selected Z decays. An interpretation of the data in terms of contributions from pure Z exchange and from Z-gamma interference allows the parameters of the Z resonance to be determined in a model-independent way. Our results are in good agreement with lepton universality and consistent with the vector and axial-vector couplings predicted in the Standard Model. A fit to the complete dataset yields the fundamental Z resonance parameters: mZ = 91.1852 +- 0.0030 GeV, GZ = 2.4948 +- 0.0041 GeV, s0h = 41.501 +- 0.055 nb, Rl = 20.823 +- 0.044, and Afb0l = 0.0145 +- 0.0017. Transforming these parameters gives a measurement of the ratio between the decay width into invisible particles and the width to a single species of charged lepton, Ginv/Gl = 5.942 +- 0.027. Attributing the entire invisible width to neutrino decays and assuming the Standard Model couplings for neutrinos, this translates into a measurement of the effective number of light neutrino species, N_nu = 2.984 +- 0.013. Interpreting the data within the context of the Standard Model allows the mass of the top quark, mt = 162 +29-16 GeV, to be determined through its influence on radiative corrections. Alternatively, utilising the direct external measurement of mt as an additional constraint leads to a measurement of the strong coupling constant and the mass of the Higgs boson: alfa_s(mZ) = 0.127 +- 0.005 and mH = 390 +750-280 GeV.

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.

Using 123 multihadronic inclusive muon-production e+e− annihilation events at an average c.m. energy of 55.2 GeV, we extracted the forward-backward charge asymmetry of the e+e−→bb¯ process and the R ratio for bb¯ production. We used an analysis method in which the behavior of the c quark and lighter quarks is assumed, with only that of the b quark left indeterminate. The results, Ab=-0.72±0.28(stat)±0.13(syst) and Rb=0.57±0.16±0.10, are consistent with the standard model.

We present a measurement of the forward-backward charge asymmetry in hadronic decays of the Z 0 using data collected with the OPAL detector at LEP. The forward-backward charge asymmetry was measured using a weight function method which gave the number of forward events on a statistical basis. In a data sample of 448 942 hadronic Z 0 decays, we have observed a charge asymmetry of A h = 0.040±0.004 (stat.)±0.006 (syst.)±0.002 (B 0 B 0 mix.), taking into account the effect of B 0 B 0 mixing. In the framework of the standard model, this asymmetry corresponds to an effective weak mixing angle averaged over five quark flavours of sin 2 θ W = 0.2321 ± 0.0017 ( stat. ) ± 0.0027 ( syst. ) ± 0.0009 (B 0 B 0 mix.). The result agrees with the value obtained from the Z 0 line shape and lepton pair forward-backward asymmetry.

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from the proton. The kinematic point (theta_lab = 12.3 degrees and Q^2=0.48 (GeV/c)^2) is chosen to provide sensitivity, at a level that is of theoretical interest, to the strange electric form factor G_E^s. The result, A=-14.5 +- 2.2 ppm, is consistent with the electroweak Standard Model and no additional contributions from strange quarks. In particular, the measurement implies G_E^s + 0.39G_M^s = 0.023 +- 0.034 (stat) +- 0.022 (syst) +- 0.026 (delta G_E^n), where the last uncertainty arises from the estimated uncertainty in the neutron electric form factor.

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron scattering from the proton. The asymmetry depends on the neutral weak magnetic form factor of the proton which contains new information on the contribution of strange quark-antiquark pairs to the magnetic moment of the proton. We obtain the value $G_M~Z= 0.34 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.04 \pm 0.05$ n.m. at $Q~2=0.1$ (GeV/c)${}~2$.