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

During 1993 and 1995 LEP was run at 3 energies near the Z$^0$peak in order to give improved measurements of the mass and width of the resonance. During 1994, LEP o

The forward-backward asymmetry of bottom quarks is measured with statistics of approximately 80 000 hadronic Z 0 decays produced in e + e − collisions at a centre of mass energy of √ s ≈ M z . The tagging of b quark events has been performed using the semileptonic decay channel b→X+ μ . Because the asymmetry depends on the weak coupling, this leads to a precise measurement of the electroweak mixing angle sin 2 θ w . The experimental result is A FB b = 0.115±0.043(stat.)±0.013(syst.). After correcting the value for the B 0 B 0 mixing this becomes A FB b =0.161±0.060(stat.)±0.021(syst.) corresponding to sin 2 θ W MS =0.221±0.011( stat. )±0.004( syst. ) .

None

The forward-backward asymmetry of the processe+e−→Z→b

Measurements of the cross section and forward-backward asymmetry for the reaction e + e − → μ + μ − using the DELPHI detector at LEP are presented. The data come from a scan around the Z 0 peak at seven centre of mass energies, giving a sample of 3858 events in the polar angle region 22° < θ < 158°. From a fit to the cross section for 43° < θ < 137°, a polar angle region for which the absolute efficiency has been determined, the square root of the product of the Z 0 → e + e − and Z 0 → μ + μ − partial widths is determined to be (Γ e Γ μ ) 1 2 = 85.0 ± 0.9( stat. ) ± 0.8( syst. ) MeV . From this measurement of the partial width, the value of the effective weak mixing angle is determined to be sin 2 ( θ w ) = 0.2267 ± 0.0037 . The ratio of the hadronic to muon pair partial widths is found to be Γ h / Γ μ = 19.89 ± 0.40(stat.) ± 0.19(syst.). The forward-backward asymmetry at the resonance peak energy E CMS = 91.22 GeV is found to be A FB = 0.028 ± 0.020(stat.) ± 0.005(syst.). From a combined fit to the cross section and forward-backward asymmetry data, the products of the electron and muon vector and axial-vector coupling constants are determined to be V e V μ = 0.0024 ± 0.0015(stat.) ± 0.0004(syst.) and A e A μ = 0.253 ± 0.003(stat.) ± 0.003 (syst.). The results are in good agreement with the expectations of the minimal standard model.

From measurements of the cross sections for e + e − → hadrons and the cross sections and forward-backward charge-asymmetries for e e −→ e + e − , μ + μ − and π + π − at several centre-of-mass energies around the Z 0 pole with the DELPHI apparatus, using approximately 150 000 hadronic and leptonic events from 1989 and 1990, one determines the following Z 0 parameters: the mass and total width M Z = 91.177 ± 0.022 GeV, Γ Z = 2.465 ± 0.020 GeV , the hadronic and leptonic partial widths Γ h = 1.726 ± 0.019 GeV, Γ l = 83.4 ± 0.8 MeV, the invisible width Γ inv = 488 ± 17 MeV, the ratio of hadronic over leptonic partial widths R Z = 20.70 ± 0.29 and the Born level hadronic peak cross section σ 0 = 41.84±0.45 nb. A flavour-independent measurement of the leptonic cross section gives very consistent results to those presented above ( Γ l = 83.7 ± 0.8 rmMeV ). From these results the number of light neutrino species is determined to be N v = 2.94 ±0.10. The individual leptonic widths obtained are: Γ e = 82.4±_1.2 MeV, Γ u = 86.9±2.1 MeV and Γ τ = 82.7 ± 2.4 MeV. Assuming universality, the squared vector and axial-vector couplings of the Z 0 to charged leptons are: V ̄ l 2 = 0.0003±0.0010 and A ̄ l 2 = 0.2508±0.0027 . These values correspond to the electroweak parameters: ϱ eff = 1.003 ± 0.011 and sin 2 θ W eff = 0.241 ± 0.009. Within the Minimal Standard Model (MSM), the results can be expressed in terms of a single parameter: sin 2 θ W M ̄ S = 0.2338 ± 0.0027 . All these values are in good agreement with the predictions of the MSM. Fits yield 43< m top < 215 GeV at the 95% level. Finally, the measured values of Γ Z and Γ inv are used to derived lower mass bounds for possible new particles.

The$\tau$polarisation has been studied with the${\rm e^+e^-}\to \tau^+\tau^-$data collected by the DELPHI detector at LEP in

During the 1992 running period of the LEP e + e − collider, the DELPHI experiment accumulated approximately 24 pb − of data at the Z 0 peak. The decays into hadrons and charged leptons have been analysed to give values for the cross sections and leptonic forward-backward asymmetries which are significantly improved with respect to those previously published by the DELPHI collaboration. Incorporating these new data, more precise values for the Z 0 resonance parameters are obtained from model-independent fits. The results are interpreted within the framework of the Standard Model, yielding for the top quark mass m t = 157 −48 +36 (expt.) −20 +19 (Higgs) GeV, and for the effective mixing angle sin 2 θ eff lept = 0.2328 ± 0.0013 (expt.) −0.0003 +0.0001 (Higgs), where (Higgs) represents the variation due to Higgs boson mass in the range 60 to 1000 GeV, with central value 300 GeV.

A precise measurement of the strange quark forward-backward asymmetry used 3.2M multihadronic events around the Z$^0$peak collected by the DELPHI experiment from 1

During the LEP running periods in 1990 and 1991 DELPHI has accumulated approximately 450 000 Z 0 decays into hadrons and charged leptons. The increased event statistics coupled with improved analysis techniques and improved knowledge of the LEP beam energies permit significantly better measurements of the mass and width of the Z 0 resonance. Model independent fits to the cross sections and leptonic forward- backward asymmetries yield the following Z 0 parameters: the mass and total width M Z = 91.187 ± 0.009 GeV, Γ Z = 2.486 ± 0.012 GeV, the hadronicf and leptonic partials widths Γ had = 1.725 ± 0.012 GeV, Γ ℓ = 83.01 ± 0.52 MeV, the invisible width Γ inv = 512 ± 10 MeV, the ratio of hadronic to leptonic partial widths R ℓ = 20.78 ± 0.15, and the Born level hadronic peak cross section σ 0 = 40.90 ± 0.28 nb. Using these results and the value of α s determined from DELPHI data, the number of light neutrino species is determined to be 3.08 ± 0.05. The individual leptonic widths are found to be: Γ e = 82.93 ± 0.70 MeV, Γ μ = 83.20 ± 1.11 MeV and Γ τ = 82.89 ± 1.31 MeV. Using the measured leptonic forward-backward asymmetries and assuming lepton universality, the squared vector and axial-vector couplings of the Z 0 to charged leptons are found to be g V ℓ 2 = (1.47 ± 0.51) × 10 −3 and g A ℓ 2 = 0.2483 ± 0.0016. A full Standard Model fit to the data yields a value of the top mass m t = 115 −82 +52 (expt.) −24 +52 (Higgs) GeV, corresponding to a value of the weak mixing angle sin 2 θ eff lept = 0.2339±0.0015 (expt.) −0.0004 +0.0001 (Higgs). Values are obtained for the variables S and T , or ϵ 1 and ϵ 3 which parameterize electroweak loop effects.

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 $A_c = 0.688 \pm 0.041.$

We present final measurements of the Z boson-lepton coupling asymmetry parameters Ae, Amu, and Atau with the complete sample of polarized Z bosons collected by the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider. From the left-right production and decay polar angle asymmetries in leptonic Z decays we measure Ae = 0.1544 +- 0.0060, Amu = 0.142 +- 0.015, and Atau = 0.136 +- 0.015. Combined with our left-right asymmetry measured from hadronic decays, we find Ae = 0.1516 +- 0.0021. Assuming lepton universality, we obtain a combined effective weak mixing angle of sin**2 theta^{eff}_W = 0.23098 +- 0.00026.

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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 $A_\tau=0.195 \pm 0.034 \pm 0.003$.

We present a measurement of the left-right cross-section asymmetry (ALR) for Z boson production by e+e- collisions. The measurement includes the final data taken with the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC) during the period 1996-1998. Using a sample of 383,487 Z decays collected during the 1996-1998 runs we measure the pole-value of the asymmetry, ALR0, to be 0.15056+-0.00239 which is equivalent to an effective weak mixing angle of sin2th(eff) = 0.23107+-0.00030. Our result for the complete 1992-1998 dataset comprising 537 thousand Z decays is sin2th(eff) = 0.23097+-0.00027.

We present measurements of Collins asymmetries in the inclusive process $e^+e^- \rightarrow h_1 h_2 X$, $h_1h_2=KK,\, K\pi,\, \pi\pi$, at the center-of-mass energy of 10.6 GeV, using a data sample of 468 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the BaBar experiment at the PEP-II $B$ factory at SLAC National Accelerator Center. Considering hadrons in opposite thrust hemispheres of hadronic events, we observe clear azimuthal asymmetries in the ratio of unlike- to like-sign, and unlike- to all charged $h_1 h_2$ pairs, which increase with hadron energies. The $K\pi$ asymmetries are similar to those measured for the $\pi\pi$ pairs, whereas those measured for high-energy $KK$ pairs are, in general, larger.

We present the first measurement of the left-right asymmetry in Bhabha scattering with a polarized electron beam. The effective electron vector and axial vector couplings to the Z0 are extracted from a combined analysis of the polarized Bhabha scattering data and the left-right asymmetry previously published by this collaboration.

We present the first measurement of the correlation between the $Z^0$ spin and the three-jet plane orientation in polarized $Z^0$ decays into three jets in the SLD experiment at SLAC utilizing a longitudinally polarized electron beam. The CP-even and T-odd triple product $\vec{S_Z}\cdot(\vec{k_1}\times \vec{k_2})$ formed from the two fastest jet momenta, $\vec{k_1}$ and $\vec{k_2}$, and the $Z^0$ polarization vector $\vec{S_Z}$, is sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. We measure the expectation value of this quantity to be consistent with zero and set 95\% C.L. limits of $-0.022 &lt; \beta &lt; 0.039$ on the correlation between the $Z^0$-spin and the three-jet plane orientation.

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We present the first measurement of the left-right cross section asymmetry (ALR) for Z boson production by e+e− collisions. The measurement was performed at a center-of-mass energy of 91.55 GeV with the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider which utilized a longitudinally polarized electron beam. The average beam polarization was (22.4±0.6)%. Using a sample of 10 224 Z decays, we measure ALR to be 0.100±0.044(stat)±0.004(syst), which determines the effective weak mixing angle to be sin2θWeff=0.2378 ±0.0056(stat)±0.0005(syst).

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.

High p ⊥ inclusive muon events produced in e + e − annihilations at √ s =29 GeV have been analyzed to obtain a measurement of the b b forward-backward charge asymmetry. The result A b =0.034±0.070±0.035 differs from the theoretical expectation (−0.16) unless substantial B 0  B 0 mixing is assumed.

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.

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

We present a precise measurement of the left-right cross section asymmetry ($A_{LR}$) for $Z$ boson production by $\ee$ collisions. The measurement was performed at a center-of-mass energy of 91.26 GeV with the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC). The luminosity-weighted average polarization of the SLC electron beam was (63.0$\pm$1.1)%. Using a sample of 49,392 $\z0$ decays, we measure $A_{LR}$ to be 0.1628$\pm$0.0071(stat.)$\pm$0.0028(syst.) which determines the effective weak mixing angle to be $\swein=0.2292\pm0.0009({\rm stat.})\pm0.0004({\rm syst.})$.}

We present a new measurement of the left-right cross section asymmetry (ALR) for Z boson production by e+e- collisions. The measurement was performed at a center-of-mass energy of 91.28 GeV with the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC). The luminosity-weighted average polarization of the SLC electron beam was (77.23+-0.52)%. Using a sample of 93,644 Z decays, we measure the pole-value of the asymmetry, ALR0, to be 0.1512+-0.0042(stat.)+-0.0011(syst.) which is equivalent to an effective weak mixing angle of sin**2(theta_eff)=0.23100+-0.00054(stat.)+-0.00014(syst.).

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.

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.

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 couplings of the Z 0 to charged leptons are studied using measurements of the lepton pair cross sections and forward-backward asymmetries at centre of mass energies near to the mass of the Z 0 . The data are consistent with lepton universality. Using a parametrisation of the lepton pair differential cross section which assumes that the Z 0 has only vector and axial couplings to leptons, the charged leptonic partial decay width of the Z 0 is determined to be Г ol+ol− = 83.1±1.9 MeV and the square of the product of the effective axial vector and vector coupling constants of the Z 0 to charged leptons to be a ̌ 2 ol v ̌ 2 ol = 0.0039± 0.0083 , in agreement with the standard model. A parametrisation in the form of the improved Born approximation gives effective leptonic axial vector and vector coupling constants a ̌ 2 ol = 0.998±0.024 and v ̌ 2 ol = 0.0044±0.0083 . In the framework of the standard model, the values of the parameters ϱ z and sin 2 θ w are found to be 0.998±0.024 and 0.233 +0.045 −0.012 respectively. Using the relationship in the minimal standard model between ϱ z and sin 2 θ w , the results sin 2 θ SM w = 0.233 +0.007 −0.006 is obtained. Our previously published measurement of the ratio of the hadronic to the leptonic partial width of the Z 0 is update: R z = 21.72 +0.71 −0.65 .

None

New measurements of the hadronic and leptonic cross sections and of the leptonic forward-backward asymmetries ine+e− collisions are presented. The analysis includes data recorded up to the end of 1991 by the OPAL experiment at LEP, with centre-of-mass energies within ±3 GeV of the Z0 mass. The results are based on a recorded total of 454 000 hadronic and 58 000 leptonic events. A model independent analysis of Z0 parameters based on an extension of the improved Born approximation is presented leading to test of lepton universality and an interpretation of the results within the Standard Model framework. The determination of the mass and width of the Z0 benefit from an improved understanding of the LEP energy calibration.

The polarization of Λ baryons from Z decays is studied with the Aleph apparatus. Evidence of longitudinal polarization of s quarks from Z decay is observed for the first time. The measured longitudinal Λ polarization is P L Λ = −0.32 ± 0.07 for z = p p beam > 0.3 . This agrees with the prediction of −0.39 ± 0.08 from the standard model and the constituent quark model, where the error is due to uncertainties in the mechanism for Λ production. The observed Λ polarization is diluted with respect to the primary s quark polarization by Λ baryons without a primary s quark. Measurements of the Λ forward-backward asymmetry and of the correlation between back-to-back Λ Λ pairs are used to check this dilution. In addition the transverse Λ polarization is measured. An indication of transverse polarization, more than two standard deviations away from zero, is found along the normal to the plane defined by the thrust axis and the Λ direction.

Using the data recorded with the L3 detector at LEP, we study the process e + e − → μ + μ − ( γ ) for events with hard initial-state photon radiation. The effective centre-of-mass energies of the muons range from 50 GeV to 86 GeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 103.5 pb −1 and yields 293 muon-pair events with a hard photon along the beam direction. The events are used to determine the cross sections and the forward-backward charge asymmetries at centre-of-mass energies below the Z resonance.

A measurement of the charm and bottom forward-backward asymmetry in e+e− annihilations is presented at energies on and around the peak of the Z0 resonance. Decays of the Z0 into charm and bottom quarks are tagged using D mesons identified in about 4 million hadronic decays of the Z0 boson recorded with the OPAL detector at LEP between 1990 and 1995. Approximately 33000 D mesons are tagged in seven different decay modes. From these the charm and bottom asymmetries are measured in three energy ranges around the Z0 peak: \(\matrix {A_{\rm FB}^{\rm c}=0.039\pm 0.051\pm 0.009\cr A_{\rm FB}^{\rm c}=0.063\pm 0.012\pm 0.006\cr A_{\rm FB}^{\rm c}=0.158\pm 0.041\pm 0.011}\)\(\matrix {A_{\rm FB}^{\rm b}=0.086\pm 0.108\pm 0.029\cr A_{\rm FB}^{\rm b}=0.094\pm 0.027\pm 0.022\cr A_{\rm FB}^{\rm b}=0.021\pm 0.090\pm 0.026}\)\(\matrix{\langle E_{cm}\rangle =89.45\ {\rm GeV}\cr \langle E_{cm}\rangle =91.22\ {\rm GeV}\cr \langle E_{cm}\rangle =93.00\ {\rm GeV}}\) The results are in agreement with the predictions of the standard model and other measurements at LEP.

From 1.4 million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP, an enriched sample of Z → cc̄ events is extracted by requiring the presence of a high momentum D ∗± . The charm quark forward-backward charge asymmetry at the Z pole is measured to be A FB 0. c = (8.0 ± 2.4) % corresponding to an effective electroweak mixing angle of sin 2 θ W eff = 0.2302 ± 0.0054.

The total cross section and the forward-backward asymmetry for the process e + e − → μ + μ − ( nγ ) are measured in the energy range 20–136 GeV by reconstructing the effective centre-of-mass energy after initial state radiation. The analysis is based on the data recorded with the ALEPH detector at LEP between 1990 and 1995, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 143.5 pb −1 . Two different approaches are used: in the first one an exclusive selection of events with hard initial state radiation in the energy range 20–88 GeV is directly compared with the Standard Model predictions showing good agreement. In the second one, all events are used to obtain a precise measurement of the energy dependence of σ 0 and A FB 0 from a model independent fit, enabling constraints to be placed on models with extra Z bosons.

The data set collected with the ALEPH detector from 1991 to 1995 at LEP has been analysed to measure the charm forward-backward asymmetry at the Z. Out of a total of 4.1 million hadronic Z decays, about 36000 high momentum D*+, D+ and D0 decays were reconstructed, of which 80% originate from Z -> ccbar events...

An improved measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry in Z →b b ̄ decays is presented, based on a sample of 4.1 million hadronic Z decays collected by ALEPH between 1991 and 1995. Data are analysed as a function of polar angle of the event axis and b purity. The event tagging efficiency and mean b -jet hemisphere charge are measured directly from data. From the measured forward-backward jet charge asymmetry, the b quark asymmetry at s =m Z is determined to be: A b FB =0.1017±0.0038(stat.)±0.0032(syst.). In the context of the Standard Model this corresponds to a value of the effective weak mixing angle of sin 2 θ W eff =0.23109±0.00096.

Measurements of the tau lepton polarization and forward-backward polarization asymmetry near the Z resonance using the OPAL detector are described. The measurements are based on analyses of tau -> e nu_e nu_tau, tau -> mu nu_mu nu_tau, tau -> pi nu_tau, tau -> rho nu_tau and tau -> a1 nu_tau decays from a sample of 144810 e+e- -> tau+ tau- candidates corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 151 pb-1. Assuming that the tau lepton decays according to V-A theory, we measure the average tau polarization near Ecm = MZ to be <Ptau> = (-14.10 +/- 0.73 +/- 0.55)% and the tau polarization forward-backward asymmetry to be Afb = (-10.55 +/- 0.76 +/- 0.25)%, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. Taking into account the small effects of the photon propagator, photon-Z interference and photonic radiative corrections, these results can be expressed in terms of the lepton neutral current asymmetry parameters: Atau = 0.1456 +/- 0.0076 +/- 0.0057, Ae = 0.1454 +/- 0.0108 +/- 0.0036. These measurements are consistent with the hypothesis of lepton universality and combine to give Al = 0.1455 +/- 0.0073. Within the context of the Standard Model this combined result corresponds to sin^2(theta)(lept,effective) = 0.23172 +/- 0.00092. Combing these results with those from the other OPAL neutral current measurements yields a value of sin^2(theta)(lept,effective) = 0.23211 +/- 0.00068.

Using 773 muons found in hadronic events from 142 pb−1 of data at a c.m. energy of 57.8 GeV, we extract the cross section and forward-backward charge asymmetry for the e+e−→bb¯ process, and the heavy quark fragmentation function parameters for the Peterson model. For the analysis of the e+e−→bb¯ process, we use a method in which the behavior of the c quark and lighter quarks is assumed, with only that of the b quark left indeterminate. The cross section and asymmetry for e+e−→bb¯ are found to be Rb = 0.57 ± 0.06(stat) ± 0.08(syst) and Ab = −0.59 ± 0.09 ± 0.09, respectively. They are consistent with the standard model predictions. For the study of the fragmentation function we use the variable 〈xE〉, the fraction of the beam energy carried by the heavy hadrons. We obtain 〈xE〉c=0.56−0.05−0.03+0.04+0.03 and 〈xE〉b=0.65−0.04−0.06+0.06+0.05, respectively. These are in good agreement with previously measured values.

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The reaction e + e − → τ + τ − has been studied at centre of mass energies between 14.0 and 46.8 GeV with the CELLO detector at the PETRA e + e − collider. We present results for the cross section σ τ and the charge asymmetry A τ . The results are in good agreement with the standard model. We have also measured the topological decay rates BR 1 , BR 3 and BR 5 for the inclusive decay of the τ lepton into one, three and five charge particles. The results confirm and improve earlier CELLO measurements at other energies. We find for the combined values at all energies BR 1 = (84.9 ± 0.4 ± 0.3)%, BR 3 = (15.0 ± 0.4 ± 0.3)% and BR 5 = (0.16 ± 0.13 ± 0.04)%.

We have studied 419 τ pair events produced in the reactione+e−→τ+ τ− at a c.m. energy of 34.6 GeV. We measure the cross section and angular distribution, as well as the decay branching ratios. The production characteristics are consistent with the Standard Electroweak Model predictions of γ andZ0 interference. The branching ratios are generally consistent with the τ decaying according to standard weak interaction principles, but we observe somewhat more decays resulting in single charged hadrons plus neutrals than are predicted by present theory.

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.

The e + e − → μ + μ − reaction has been studied at centre of mass energies ranging between 38.3 abd 46.8 GeV with the CELLO detector at PETRA. We present results on the cross section and the charge asymmetry for this channel. Combining all the data at the average energy 〈 s 〉=43 GeV we obtain R μμ =〈 σ μμ / σ 0 〉=0.98±0.04±0.04, 〈 A μμ 〉=(−14.1±3.7±1.0)%, where σ 0 is the QED cross section and A μμ is the charge asymmetry corrected for pure radiative effects. These results are in good agreement with the expected values of R μμ =1.01 and A μμ =−14.5% at that energy.

A measurement of theτ lepton polarization and its forward-backward asymmetry at the Z0 resonance using the OPAL detector is described. The measurement is based on analyses of τ→ρντ, ττπ(K)ντ,\(\tau\to e\bar \nu _e \nu _\tau\),\(\tau\to \mu \bar \nu _\mu\nu _\tau\) andτ→a1ντ decays from a sample of 89075 e+e−→τ+τ− candidates corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 117 pb−1. Assuming that theτ lepton decays according to V-A theory, we measure the averageτ polarization at √s=MZ to be 〈P〉=(−13.0±0.9±0.9)% and theτ polarization forward-backward asymmetry to be ApolFB=(−9.4±1.0±0.4)%, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of lepton universality and, when combined, can be expressed as a measurement of sin2θefflept=0.2334±0.0012 within the context of the Standard Model.