Measurement of W-pair production in $e^{+}e^{-}$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV

The W + W- production cross section is measured from a data sample corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 683 pb-1, collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. Individual cross sections for the different topologies arising from W decays into leptons or hadrons, as well as the total W-pair cross section are given at eight centre-of-mass energies. The results are found to be in agreement with recently developed Standard Model calculations at the one percent level. The hadronic branching fraction of the W boson is measured to be B(W→qq¯) = 67.13 ± 0.37(stat.) ± 0.15(syst.)%, from which the CKM matrix element |\ensuremathVcs| is determined…

Updated measurement of the τ lepton lifetime

A new measurement of the mean lifetime of the tau lepton is presented. Three different analysis methods are applied to a sample of 90000 tau pairs, collected in 1993 and 1994 with the ALEPH detector at LEP. The average of this measurement and those previously published by ALEPH is tau_tau = 290.1 +- 1.5 +- 1.1 fs.

Studies of Quantum Chromodynamics with the ALEPH Detector

Previously published and as vet unpublished QCD results obtained with the ALEPH detector at LEP1 are presented. The unprecedented statistics allows detailed studies of both perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of strong interactions to be carried out using hadronic Z and tau decays. The studies presented include precise determinations of the strong coupling constant. tests of its flavour independence, tests of the SU(3) gauge structure of QCD, study of coherence effects, and measurements of single-particle inclusive distributions and two-particle correlations for many identified baryons and mesons. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Improved tau polarisation measurement

Using 22 pb−1 of data collected at LEP in 1992 on the peak of the Z resonance, the ALEPH collaboration has measured the polarisation of the tau leptons decaying into $$ev\bar v, \mu v\bar v$$ ,πν, ρν and a1 ν from their individual decay product distributions. The measurement of the tau polarisation as a function of the production polar angle yields the two parametersN τ andN e, where, in terms of the axial and vector couplingsg Al andg Vl,N l=2g Vl gAl/(g Vl 2 +g 2 ). This analysis follows to a large extent the methods devised for the 1990 and 1991 data but with improvements which bring a better understanding of the systematic uncertainties. Combining the 1992 measurements with our previous…

A measurement of the inclusive b → sγ branching ratio

The flavour changing neutral current decay b --> s gamma has been detected in hadronic Z decays collected by ALEPH at LEP. The signal is isolated in lifetime-tagged b (b) over bar events by the presence of a hard photon associated with a system of high momentum and high rapidity hadrons. The background processes are normalised from the data themselves. The inclusive branching ratio is measured to be (3.11 +/- 0.80(stat) +/- 0.72(syst)) x 10(-4), consistent with the Standard Model expectation via penguin processes. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. The flavour changing neutral current decay b → sγ has been detected in hadronic Z decays collected by ALEPH at …

Study of the CP asymmetry of B0 -> J/psi K0S decays in ALEPH

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%.

Search for the Bc meson in hadronic Z decays

A search for the B-c meson decaying into the channels J/psi pi(+) and J/psi l(+)nu(l) (l = e or mu) is performed in a sample of 3.9 million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH detector. This search results in the observation of 0 and 2 candidates in each of these channels, respectively, while 0.44 and 0.81 background events are expected. The following 90% confidence level upper limits are derived: Br(Z --> BcX)/Br(Z --> q (q) over bar BR(B-c(+) --> J/psi pi(+)) BcX)/Br(Z-->q (q) over bar)Br(B-c(+) --> J/psi l(+)nu) J/psi(e(+)e(-))mu(+)nu(mu) candidate with very low background probability, found in an independent analysis, is also described in detail. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Scie…

Measurement of the W mass in e(+)e(-) collisions at production threshold

In June 1996, the LEP centre-of-mass energy was raised to 161 GeV. Pair production of W bosons in e(+)e(-) collisions was observed for the first time by the LEP experiments. An integrated luminosity of 11 pb(-1) was recorded in the ALEPH detector, in which WW candidate events were observed. In 6 events both Ws decay leptonically. In 16 events, one W decays leptonically, the other into hadrons. In the channel where both Ws decay into hadrons, a signal was separated from the large background by means of several multi-variate analyses. The W pair cross-section is measured to be sigma(ww) = 4.23 +/- 0.73(stat.) +/- 0.19(syst.) pb. From this cross-section, the W mass is derived within the framew…

Search for contact interactions in the reactionse + e −→l + l − ande + e −→γγ

Contact interactions are searched for using the differential cross sections for the reactions e + e -→ e + e -, e + e -→ µ + µ -, e + e -→ τ + τ - and e + e -→γγ measured at 12 energies around the Z peak and corresponding to about 20 pb-1 of cumulated luminosity. Four-fermion contact term models assuming various chiralities of lepton currents are fitted to the lepton data and lower limits on the energy scale Λ of such terms are set at 95% c.l. The limits vary in the range 0.9 4.7 TeV, depending on the model and on the lepton flavour. The eeγγ contact terms are searched for assuming various chiralities. Limits on the energy scale Λ between 79 and 130 GeV are extracted from the data. The resu…

Search for neutral Higgs bosons decaying into four taus at LEP2

A search for the production and non-standard decay of a Higgs boson, h, into four taus through intermediate pseudoscalars, a, is conducted on 683 pb-1 of data collected by the ALEPH experiment at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. No excess of events above background is observed, and exclusion limits are placed on the combined production cross section times branching ratio, β2 = σ(e+e -→Zh)/σSM(e+e-→Zh) ×B(h→aa)×B(a→τ+τ-) 2. For mh 1 is excluded at the 95% confidence level.

Scalar quark searches in $e^+ e^-$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 181-184 GeV

Searches for scalar top, scalar bottom and degenerate scalar quarks have been performed with data collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP. The data sample consists of 57 pb^-1 taken at sqrt{s} = 181-184 GeV. No evidence for scalar top, scalar bottom or degenerate scalar quarks was found in the channels tilde{t} --> c chi, tilde{t} --> b l snu, tilde{b} --> b chi, and tilde{q} --> q chi. From the channel tilde{t} --> c chi a limit of 74 GeV/c^2 has been set on the scalar top quark mass, independent of the mixing angle. This limit assumes a mass difference between the stop and the chi in the range 10-40 GeV/c^2. From the channel tilde{t} --> b l snu the mixing-angle-indepen…

Search for neutral Higgs bosons from supersymmetry in Z decays

The light scalar Higgs boson h and the pseudoscalar Higgs boson A of the minimal supersymmetric standard model have been searched for in the processes e+e−→hff and e+e−→hA using data collected by ALEPH at the LEP e+e− collider, with center of mass energies at and near the Z peak. Using a variety of signatures adapted to various mass ranges for h and A, we have excluded a large domain in the parameter space. For large values of ν2ν1, the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs fields, the whole range from 0 to 38.8 GeV is excluded for Mh and MA at 95% CL.

Measurement of Z-pair production in e(+)e(-) collisions and constraints on anomalous neutral gauge couplings

The ZZ production cross section is measured from a data sample corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 452 pb−1, collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 192 to 209 GeV. Individual cross sections, extracted at six centre-of-mass energies, are found to be in agreement with Standard Model calculations. The results are used to set limits on anomalous neutral gauge couplings. The ZZ production cross section is measured from a data sample corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 452 pb−1 , collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 192 to 209 GeV. Individual cross sections, extracted at six centre-of-mass energies, …

Search for charginos and neutralinos with R-parity violation at =130 136

Searches for charginos and neutralinos produced in e+e− collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV have been performed under the assumptions that R-parity is not conserved, that the dominant R-parity violating coupling involves only leptonic fields, and that the lifetime of the lightest supersymmetric particle can be neglected. In the 5.7 pb−1 data sample collected by ALEPH, no candidate events were found. As a result, chargino and neutralino masses and couplings are constrained and the domains previously excluded at LEP1 are extended.

Measurement of the b → τ-ν̄τX branching ratio

The definitions of “anthropology” found in various dictionaries cover a whole range of terms and in this section we provide an overview of all its connotations. In this way a variety of reflections about the essence of man become possible, for instance as : summit of creation; source of his own values; specific biological reality; intelligence (but what is this, really?); knowing subject or object of knowledge; social being and product of a culture. Following these lines of thought one realises that all these preoccupations have already been taken up, or at least touched upon, by communication theory.

Tau leptonic branching ratios

A sample of 62249 tau-pair events is selected from data taken with the ALEPH detector in 1991, 1992 and 1993. The measurement of the branching fractions for tau decays into electrons and muons is presented with emphasis on the study of systematic effects from selection, particle identification and decay classification. The results obtained are: B-e=17.79+/-0.12(stat)+/-0.06(syst)(%) and B-mu=17.31+/-0.11(stat)+/-0.05(syst)(%). Combined with the most recent ALEPH determination of the tau lifetime, these results provide a relative measurement of the leptonic couplings in the weak charged current for transverse W bosons: g(mu)/g(e)=1.0002+/-0.0051 and g(tau)/g(mu)=0.9943+/-0.0065. RI ANTONELLI…

Searches for the standard Higgs boson

Abstract A data sample corresponding to about 100 000 hadronic Z decays collected by ALEPH at LEP has been used to search for the standard Higgs boson produced in the reaction e + e − → H 0 Z 0∗ . No indication for any signal was found, and a 95% CL lower limit on the Higgs boson mass has been set at 41.6 GeV.

Determination of sin2 θeff w using jet charge measurements in hadronic Z decays

The electroweak mixing angle is determined with high precision from measurements of the mean difference between forward and backward hemisphere charges in hadronic decays of the Z. A data sample of 2.5 million hadronic Z decays recorded over the period 1990 to 1994 in the ALEPH detector at LEP is used. The mean charge separation between event hemispheres containing the original quark and antiquark is measured for bb̄ and cc̄ events in subsamples selected by their long lifetimes or using fast D*'s. The corresponding average charge separation for light quarks is measured in an inclusive sample from the anticorrelation between charges of opposite hemispheres and agrees with predictions of hadr…

Search for high mass photon pairs in (f= e, μ, τ, v, q) at LEP

Abstract The result of a search for high mass photon pairs from the processes e + e − → f f γγ (f = e, μ, τ, v and q) with the ALEPH detector is reported. The result for f = e , μ and τ is to be compared with the observation of 4 events by the L3 Collaboration with invariant masses, M γγ , of the two photons near 60 GeV. From a data sample approximately twice as large taken from 1990 to 1992, 6 events are found with M γγ distributed between 50 GeV and 72 GeV, while 4.9 events are expected from a QED calculation. There is no evidence for a mass peak; only one event ( μ + μ − γγ ) at M γγ = 59.4 ± 0.2 GeV is compatible with the L3 observation. In addition, for M γγ > 50 GeV, no event is found…

Study of muon-pair production at centre-of-mass energies from 20 to 136 GeV with the ALEPH detector

The total cross section and the forward-backward asymmetry for the process e(+)e --> mu(+)mu(-)(n gamma) 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 …

Resonant structure and flavour tagging in the Bπ±system using fully reconstructed B decays

Abstract Starting from a sample of four million hadronic Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP, 404 charged and neutral B mesons are fully reconstructed and used to look for resonant structure in the Bπ system. An excess of events is observed above the expected background in the Bπ mass spectrum at a mass ≈5.7 GeV/c 2 , consistent with the production and decay to B (∗) π of the B ∗∗ states predicted by Heavy Quark Symmetry (HQS). In the framework of HQS, it is found that the mass of the B 2 ∗ state is (5739 + 8 −11 ( stat ) +6 −4 ( syst )) MeV/c 2 and the relative production rate of the B ∗∗ system is BR(b→B ∗∗ →B (∗) π)/BR(b→B u,d )=(31±9 (stat) +6 −5 (syst)) % . In the same sa…

Measurement of Prompt Photon Production In Hadronic-z Decays

The production of isolated photons in hadronic Z decays is measured with the ALEPH detector at LEP using a sample of 450 000 hadronic events. The corrected rate is given for several values of the minimum invariant mass squared cut between the photon and the jets. This measurement of final state radiation from the quarks is compared with the predictions of parton shower models JETSET, ARIADNE and HERWIG as well as with the predictions of QCD matrix element calculations. RI Perrier, Frederic/A-5953-2011; ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Buttar, Craig/D-3706-2011; Stahl, Achim/E-8846-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; Murtas, Fabrizio/B-5729-2012; St.Denis, Richard/C-8997-2012; Forti, Franc…

Search for a new weakly interacting particle

Abstract A search for events of the type e + e − →l + l − X 0 , where X 0 can be any weakly interacting particle which couples to the Z, has been performed with the ALEPH detector at LEP, by searching for acollinear lepton pairs. Such particles can be excluded up to a mass of 7.0 GeV/c 2 for a value of the ratio of branching fractions, Br( Z →X 0 l + l − )/Br(Z→ l + l − ), greater than 2.5 × 10 −3 if the X 0 has third component of isospin, I 3 greater than 1 2 and decays to a pair of virtual gauge bosons. When this analysis is combined with the previous results of the Higgs particle searches from ALEPH, this limit can be extended to an X 0 mass of 60 GeV/c 2 .

Branching Ratios and Spectral Functions of $\tau$ Decays: final ALEPH measurements and physics implications

The full LEP-1 data set collected with the ALEPH detector at the $Z$ pole during 1991-1995 is analysed in order to measure the $\tau$ decay branching fractions. Extensive systematic studies are performed, in order to match the large statistics of the data sample corresponding to over 300 000 measured and identified $\tau$ decays. Branching fractions are obtained for the two leptonic channels and eleven hadronic channels defined by their respective numbers of charged particles and $\pi^0$'s. Using previously published ALEPH results on final states with charged and neutral kaons, corrections are applied to the hadronic channels to derive branching ratios for exclusive final states without kao…

A study of single W production in e+e− collisions at –183 GeV

Abstract Single W production is studied in the data recorded with the ALEPH detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 161 and 183 GeV. The cross section is measured to be σW=0.41±0.17(stat.)±0.04(syst.) pb at 183 GeV, consistent with the Standard Model expectation. Limits on non-standard WWγ couplings are deduced as −1.6 γ (λ γ =0) and −1.6 γ (κ γ =1) at 95% C.L. A search for effectively invisible decays of the W boson in W pair production is performed, leading to an upper limit on the branching ratio of 1.3% ( Γ inv =27 MeV ) at 95% C.L.

Four-fermion production in $e^+e^-$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV

Four-fermion events have been selected in a data sample of 5.8 pb(-1) collected with the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV. The final states l(+)l(-), l(+)l(-)l(+)l(-), , and <l(+)l(-) have been examined Five events are observed in the data, in agreement with the Standard Model predictions of 6.67 +/- 0.38 events from four-fermion processes and 0.14(-0.05)(+0.19) from background processes. RI ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; Murtas, Fabrizio/B-5729-2012; Sanchez, Federico/F-5809-2012; Ferrante, Isidoro/F-1017-2012

A measurement of Rb using a lifetime-mass tag

ALEPH's published measurement of R-b = Gamma(Z --> b (b) over bar)/Gamma(Z --> hadrons) using a lifetime tag is updated using the full LEP 1 data sample. Considerable effort has been devoted to understanding systematic effects. Charm background is better controlled by combining the lifetime tag with a tag based on the b/c hadron mass difference. Furthermore, the algorithm used to reconstruct the event primary vertex is designed so as to reduce correlations between the two hemispheres of an event. The value of R-b is measured to be 0.2167 +/- 0.0011(stat) +/- 0.0013(syst). (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. RI ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; Murtas, …

Search for excited leptons in Z0 decay

Due to the severity of system-wide power outages, though their probability of occurrence is slight, regulatory authorities require that a system restoration plan be drawn up and kept up to date at all times. The power outage that affected northeastern North America in 2003 proved the need for such a requirement. The particular structure of Hydro-Quebec's power system requires the use of a highly specific system restoration procedure. The daily preparation of the system restoration plan is based on a strategy whose application requires that a restoration sequence be drawn up that uses available equipment, the electrical behavior of which has been validated using appropriate studies. Over the…

Absolute Lower Limits on the Masses of Selectrons and Sneutrinos in the MSSM

The results of searches for selectrons, charginos and neutralinos performed with the data collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV are interpreted in the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with R-parity conservation. Under the assumptions of gaugino and sfermion mass unification and no sfermion mixing, an absolute lower limit of 73 GeV/c2 is set on the mass of the lighter selectron at the 95% confidence level. Similarly, limits on the masses of the heavier selectron and of the sneutrino are set at 107 and 84 GeV/c2, respectively. Additional constraints are derived from the results of the searches for Higgs bosons. T…

Constraints on anomalous QGC's in $e^{+}e^{-}$ interactions from 183 to 209 GeV

The acoplanar photon pairs produced in the reaction e+ e- --> nu nubar gamma gamma are analysed in the 700 inverse nanobarns of data collected by the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies between 183 and 209 GeV. No deviation from the Standard Model predictions is seen in any of the distributions examined. The resulting 95% C.L. limits set on the anomalous QGC's, az_0, az_c, aw_0 and aw_c, are -0.012 GeV**-2 < az_0/Lambda**2 < +0.019 GeV**-2, -0.041 GeV**-2 < az_c/Lambda**2 < +0.044 GeV**-2, -0.060 GeV**-2 < aw_0/Lambda**2 < +0.055 GeV**-2, -0.099 GeV**-2 < aw_c/Lambda**2 < +0.093 GeV**-2, where Lambda is the energy scale of the new Physics responsible for the anomalous couplings.

Measurement of the ratio using event shape variables

Abstract The branching fraction of Z → b b relative to all hadronic decays of the Z has been measured using event shape variables to preferentially select Z → b b events. The method chosen applies a combination of shape discriminators and the selection of high transverse momentum leptons to event hemispheres. From a sample of 440 000 hadronic Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP, the ration Γ b b Γ had = 0.228±0.005( stat. )±0.005( syst. ) is measured.

Inclusive production of the η and ω mesons in Z decays, and the muonic branching ratio of the ω

AbstractThe inclusive production of the η and ω(782) mesons is measured in the π+π−π0 decay mode in hadronic Z decays and compared to model predictions. The analysis is based on 4 million hadronic Z decays recorded by the ALEPH detector between 1991 and 1995. The η production rate for xp=pmeson/pbeam>0.10 is found to be 0.355±0.011stat±0.024sys per event, and the ω production rate for xp>0.05 is measured as 0.585±0.019stat±0.033sys per event. The branching ratio for ω→μ+μ− is investigated. A total of 18.1±5.9 events are observed, from which the muonic branching ratio is measured for the first time to be BR(ω→μ+μ−)=(9.0±2.9stat±1.1sys)×10−5.

Charm counting in b decays

??? The inclusive production of charmed particles in Z--> decays has been measured from the yield of D-0, D+, D-s(+) and Lambda(c)(+) decays in a sample of events with high b purity collected with the ALEPH detector from 1992 to 1995. From these measurements, adding the charmonia production rate and an estimate of the charmed strange baryon contribution, the average number of charm quarks per b decay is determined to be n(c)=1.230+/-0.036+/-0.038+/-0.053, where the uncertainties are due to statistics, systematic effects and branching ratios, respectively.

Search for supersymmetric particles using acoplanar charged-particle pairs from Z0 decays

We have performed a search for supersymmetric particles using acoplanar pairs of oppositely-charged particles in decays of the Z0. In 0.53 pb−1 of integrated luminosity near the Z0 peak, we observe two events where approximately four are expected from background, allowing limits to be extended on combined photino and slepton masses, and also on combined photino and chargino masses.

Test of the flavour independence of αs

Abstract Using about 950000 hadronic events collected during 1991 and 1992 with the ALEPH detector, the ratios r b = α s b α s udsc and r uds = α s uds α s cb have been measured in order to test the flavour independence of the strong coupling constant α s . The analysis is based on event-shape variables using the full hadronic sample, two b -quark samples enriched by lepton tagging and lifetime tagging, and a light-quark sample enriched by lifetime antitagging. The combined results are r b = 1.002±0.023 and r uds = 0.971 ± 0.023.

Search for the neutral Higgs bosons of the MSSM in e(+)e(-) collisions at root s from 130 to 172 GeV

The process e(+)e(-) --> hA is used to search for the Higgs bosons of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), in the b (b) over bar b (b) over bar and tau(+)tau(-)b (b) over bar final states, The search is performed in the data collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP, at centre-of-mass energies between 130 and 172 GeV and with a total luminosity of 27.2 pb(-1). No candidate events are found in either of the final states, in agreement with the expected background of 0.91 events from all Standard Model processes. Combined with searches for e(+)e(-) --> hZ, this results in a 95% C.L. lower limit on the masses of both h and A of 62.5 GeV/c(2), for tan beta > 1. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scie…

Measurement of the branching fraction for D0 → K-π+

The branching fraction for D-0 --> K(-)pi(+) is measured with the statistics collected by ALEPH from 1991 to 1994. The method is based on the comparison between the rate for the reconstructed D*+ --> (D) pi(+), D-0 --> K(-)pi(+) decay chain and the rate for inclusive soft pion production at low transverse momentum with respect to the nearest jet. The result is B(D-0 --> K(-)pi(+)) = (3.90 +/- 0.09 +/- 0.12)% (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. RI ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; Murtas, Fabrizio/B-5729-2012; St.Denis, Richard/C-8997-2012; Sanchez, Federico/F-5809-2012; Forti, Francesco/H-3035-2011; Ferrante, Isidoro/F-1017-2012

An experimental study of γγ → hadrons at LEP

An analysis of γγ interactions has been performed using untagged hadronic data obtained by the ALEPH detector at LEP. The data show at low transverse momentum (pt) are well reproduced by a model based on the vector meson dominance mechinism (VDM). At high pt thrust the presence of hard scattering processes is demonstrated. This component is well described in shape and normalization by a QCD calculation.

Search for a non-minimal Higgs boson produced in the reaction →

Abstract A data sample corresponding to 1.23 million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP has been searched for signals of the production of a non-minimal CP-even Higgs boson h in the reaction e + e − → hZ ∗ . The h decay modes considered were: those of the minimal standard model Higgs boson, with modified branching ratios; decays into a pair of CP-odd Higgs bosons A; and decays into invisible final states. Only one event was found, a very acoplanar e+e− pair which could originate from the standard model background process e + e − → e + e − v v . Upper limits for the cross-section of the reaction e + e − → hZ ∗ have been derived as a function of mh, the mass of the Higgs…

A direct measurement of |Vcs| in hadronic W decays using a charm tag

Abstract The inclusive charm production rate in W decays is measured from a study of the properties of final state particles. The sample of W pairs is selected from 67.7 pb−1 collected by ALEPH in 1996 and 1997 at centre-of-mass energies near 172 and 183 GeV in the channels W+W−→4q and W + W − →lνq q . The branching fraction of hadronic W decays to a final state containing a c quark, RWc= Γ(W→cX)/Γ(W→hadrons), is measured to be 0.51±0.05stat±0.03syst. This allows a direct determination of the CKM matrix element |Vcs|=1.00±0.11stat±0.07syst.

A precise measurement of ΓZ→bb/ΓZ→hadrons

A measurement of the partial width ratio Γbb/Γhad using a method which tags the Z --> bb decays through the lif etime of the produced heavy hadrons is presented. This method relies on the tracking precision afforded by a double-sided silicon vertex detector. The tag algorithm makes a probabilistic interpretation of three-dimensional track impact parameters, using the data to measure the resolution. By tagging the two b hadrons separately, both Γbb/Γhad and the tag efficiency can be determined from the data. For a 26% efficiency of tagging a single b hadron within the vertex detector solid angle coverage, a purity of 96% is achieved. A value of Γbb/Γhad = 0.2192+/-0.0026(stat.)+/-0.0016(Γcc/…

Search for the Standard Model Higgs boson in e+e− collisions at =161, 170 172

The reaction e(+)e(-) --> HZ is used to search for the Standard Model Higgs boson, The data sample consists of integrated luminosities of 10.9 pb(-1), 1.1 pb(-1), and 9.5 pb(-1) collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP during 1996, at centre-of-mass energies of 161, 170 and 172 GeV, respectively. No candidate events were found, in agreement with the expected background of 0.84 events from all Standard Model processes. This search results in a 95% C.L. lower limit on the Higgs boson mass of 69.4 GeV/c(2). When combined with earlier ALEPH searches performed at energies at and around the Z peak, this limit increases to 70.7 GeV/c(2). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Search for sleptons in e+e− collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 161 GeV and 172 GeV

The data recorded by the ALEPH experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies of 161 GeV and 172 GeV were analysed to search for sleptons, the supersymmetric partners of leptons. No evidence for the production of these particles was found. The number of candidates observed is consistent with the background expected from four-fermion processes and gammagamma-interactions. Improved mass limits at 95% C.L. are reported.

Search for decays of the Z0 into a photon and a pseudoscalar meson

Abstract A search is reported for decays of the Z 0 into π 0 γ , ηγ and η ′ (958) γ in e + e − collisions using data collected during a scan around the Z 0 mass. In order to search for π 0 γ final states, in which the two photons from the π 0 decay are unresolved, the production of pairs of high-energy electromagnetic clusters is studied. The data are compared with the expectations from the pure QED process e + e − → γγ , and a 95% confidence level upper limit on the branching ratio of the Z 0 into π 0 γ of 4.9 × 10 −4 is derived. For η′γ, the decay modes of the mesons that contain two charged particles are largely free from QED background. These modes are used to place upper limits of 4.6 …

Search for Supersymmetric Particles in e+e- Collisions at sqrt(s) up to 202GeV and Mass Limit for the Lightest Neutralino

Searches for pair production of squarks, sleptons, charginos, and neutralinos are performed with the data collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 188.6 to 201.6 GeV. No evidence for any such signals is observed in a total integrated luminosity of about 410pb-1. The negative results of the searches are translated into exclusion domains in the space of the relevant MSSM parameters, which improve significantly on the constraints set previously. Under the assumptions of gaugino and sfermion mass unification, these results allow a 95% C.L. lower limit of 37GeV/c2 to be set on the mass of the lightest neutralino for any tan beta and sfermion mass. Additional constra…

Studies of QCD at $e^{+}e^{-}$ centre-of-mass energies between 91 and 209 GeV

The hadronic final states observed with the ALEPH detector at LEP in e(+)e(-) annihilation are analysed using 730 pb(-1) of data collected between 91 and 209 GeV in the framework of QCD. In particular event-shape variables and inclusive charged particle spectra are measured. The energy evolution of quantities derived from these measurements is compared to analytic QCD predictions. The mean charged particle multiplicity, the charged particle momentum spectrum and its peak position are compared to predictions of the modified-leading-logarithmic approximation. The strong coupling constant alpha(s) is determined from a fit of the QCD prediction to distributions of six event-shape variables at e…

Measurement of W-pair production in e+e- collisions at 183 GeV

The production of W+W- pairs is analysed in a data sample collected by ALEPH at a mean centre-of-mass energy of 182.7 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 57 pb-1. Cross sections are given for different topologies of W decays into leptons or hadrons. Under Standard Model assumptions for the W-pair production and decay, the W-pair cross section is measured to be 15.57+-0.62(stat.)+-0.29(syst.) pb. Using also the W-pair data samples collected by ALEPH at lower centre-of-mass energies, the decay branching ratio of the W boson into hadrons is measured to be B(W-&gt;hadrons)= 68.93+-1.21(stat.)+-0.51(syst.)%, allowing a determination of the CKM matrix element |Vcs|= 1.043 +- 0.058(s…

Inclusive π±, K± and(p,p¯) differential cross-sections at the Z resonance

Inclusive π±, K± and $$(p,\bar p)$$ differential cross-sections in hadronic decays of the Z have been measured as a function ofz=P hadron/P beam, the scaled momentum. The results are based on approximately 520 000 events measured by the ALEPH detector at LEP during 1992. Charged particles are identified by their rate of ionization energy loss in the ALEPH Time Projection Chamber. The position, ξ*, of the peak in the ln(1/z) distribution is determined, and the evolution of the peak position with centre-of-mass energy is compared with the prediction of QCD.

Measurement of the and B− meson lifetimes

Abstract The lifetimes of the B 0 and B − mesons have been measured with the ALEPH detector at LEP. Semileptonic decays of B 0 and B − mesons were partially reconstructed by identifying events containing a lepton with an associated D ∗+ or D 0 meson. The proper time of the B meson was estimated from the measured decay length and the momentum and mass of the D -lepton system. A fit to the proper time of 77 D ∗+ l − and 77 D 0 l − candidates, combined with a constraint on the lifetime ratio ( τ − τ 0 ) arising from the relative rates of observed D ∗+ l − and D 0 l − events, yielded the following lifetimes: τ 0 =1.52 −0.18 +0.20 ( stat. ) −0.13 +0.07 ( syst. ) ps , τ − = 1.47 −0.19 +0.22 ( sta…

Search for excited neutrinos in Z decay

Excited neutrinos decaying into a neutrino and a photon are searched for in the ALEPH detector at LEP. No evidence is found for Z decay into vv∗ or v∗v∗ final states. Upper limits are derived on excited neutrino couplings up to excited neutrino masses close to the Z mass. Lower limits on the v∗ mass, independent of the v∗ decay modes, are deduced from the total Z width.

Measurement of thett¯production cross section inpp¯collisions ats=1.96  TeVusing soft electronb-tagging

The authors present a measurement of the t{bar t} production cross section using events with one charged lepton and jets from p{bar p} collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. A b-tagging algorithm based on the probability of displaced tracks coming from the event interaction vertex is applied to identify b quarks from top decay. Using 318 pb{sup -1} of data collected with the CDF II detector, they measure the t{bar t} production cross section in events with at least one restrictive (tight) b-tagged jet and obtain 8.9{sub -1.0}{sup +1.0}(stat.){sub -1.0}{sup +1.1}(syst.) pb. The cross section value assumes a top quark mass of m{sub t} is presented in the paper. This result is cons…

Searches for scalar top and scalar bottom quarks at LEP2

Searches for scalar top and bottom quarks have been performed with data collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP. The data sample consists of 21.7 pb^-1 taken at sqrt{s} = 161, 170, and 172~GeV and 5.7 pb^-1 taken at sqrt{s} = 130 and 136~GeV. No evidence for scalar top quarks or scalar bottom quarks was found in the channels stop --&gt; c chi, stop --&gt; b l snu, and sbottom --&gt; b chi. For the channel stop --&gt; c chi a limit of 67 GeV/c^2 has been set on the scalar top quark mass, independent of the mixing angle between the supersymmetric partners of the left and right-handed states of the top quark. This limit assumes a mass difference between the stop and the chi of at least 10 GeV/c…

Measurement of the branching ratio and an upper limit on

Abstract Using 1.45 million hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP, the b → τ − ν - τ X branching ratio is measured to be 2.75 ± 0.30 ± 0.37%. In addition an upper limit of 1.8 × 10 −3 at 90% confidence level is placed upon the exclusive branching ratio of B − → τ − ν - τ . These measurements are consistent with SM expectations, and put the constraint tan β M h ± GeV −1 at 90% confidence level on all Type II two Higgs doublet models (such as the MSSM).

Langevin approach to collisional bremsstrahlung in a magnetic field

Final results of the searches for neutral Higgs bosons in e+e- collisions at sqrt(s) up to 209GeV

The final results of the ALEPH search for the Standard Model Higgs boson at LEP, with data collected in the year 2000 at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV, are presented. The changes with respect to the preceding publication are described and a complete study of systematic effects is reported. The findings of this final analysis confirm the preliminary results published in November 2000 shortly after the closing down of the LEP collider: a significant excess of events is observed, consistent with the production of a $115 \Gcs$ Standard Model Higgs boson. The final results of the searches for the neutral Higgs bosons of the MSSM are also reported, in terms of limits on $\mh$, $\mA$ and $…

Search for the glueball candidates f0(1500) and fJ(1710) in γγ collisions

Abstract Data taken with the ALEPH detector at LEP1 have been used to search for γγ production of the glueball candidates f0(1500) and fJ(1710) via their decay to π+π−. No signal is observed and upper limits to the product of γγ width and π+π− branching ratio of the f0(1500) and the fJ(1710) have been measured to be Γ(γγ→f 0 (1500))· B R (f 0 (1500)→π + π − ) keV and Γ(γγ→f J (1710))· B R (f J (1710)→π + π − ) keV at 95% confidence level.

Deuteron and anti-deuteron production in e+e− collisions at the Z resonance

Deuteron and anti-deuteron production in Z decays has been observed in the ALEPH experiment at LEP. The production rate of anti-deuterons is measured to be 5.9+-1.8+-0.5 10^-6 per hadronic Z decay in the anti-deuteron momentum range 0.62 to 1.03 GeV/c. The coalescence parameter B_2, which characterizes the likelihood of anti-deuteron production, is measured to be 0.0033+-0.0013 GeV^2 in Z dedays. These measurements indicate that the production of anti-deuterons is suppressed in e+e- collisions compared to pp and photoproduction collisions.

Observation of charmless hadronic B decays

Four candidates for charmless hadronic B decay are observed in a data sample of four million hadronic Z decays recorded by the ALEPH detector at LEP. The probability that these events come from background sources is estimated to be less than 10(-6). The average branching of weakly decaying B hadrons (a mixture of B-d(0), B-s(0) and Lambda(b) weighted by their production The average branching ratio of weakly decaying B hadrons (a mixture of B-d(0) cross sections and lifetimes, here denoted B) into two long-lived charged hadrons (pions, kaons or protons) is measured to be Br(B-->h(+)h(-))=(1.7(-0.7)(+1.0)+/-0.2)x10(-5). The relative branching fraction Br(B-d(s)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-)(K-))/Br(B-d(s)(…

Measurement of the strong coupling constant using τ decays

The strong coupling constant is determined from the leptonic branching ratios, the lifetime, and the invariant mass distribution of the hadronic final state of the tau lepton, using data accumulated at LEP with the ALEPH detector. The strong coupling constant measurement, alpha(s), (m(tau)2) = 0.330 +/-0.046, evolved to the Z mass, yields alpha(s)(M(Z)2) = 0. 1 18 +/- 0.005. The error includes experimental and theoretical uncertainties, the latter evaluated in the framework of the Shifman, Vainshtein and Zakharov (SVZ) approach. The method allows the non-perturbative contribution to the hadronic decay rate to be determined to be 0.3 +/- 0.5% . RI Perrier, Frederic/A-5953-2011; ANTONELLI, AN…

Production and decay of charmed mesons at the Z resonance

Abstract In a sample of 190 000 hadronic Z decays, three signals of charm production are observed: two from the exclusive decays D ° → K − π + and D ∗+ → D °π + → K − π + π + and one in the transverse-momentum distribution of soft hadrons relative to the nearest jet. The features of these signals are in good agreement with expectations based on the standard model and previous measurements of the branching fractions. The number of D ∗± → K ± π ± π ± per hadronic decay of the Z is measured to be (5.11±0.34) × 10 −3 , and the branching ratio B(D 0 → K − π + ) is (3.62 ± 0.34 ± 0.44)%. Charm hadronization has been studied. The average fraction of the beam energy carried by the D ∗ meson is foun…

Measurement of the D∗± cross section in two photon collisions at LEP

Abstract The inclusive production of D ∗± mesons in photon-photon collisions has been measured by the Aleph experiment at LEP with a beam energy of 45 GeV. The D ∗+ are detected in their decay to D 0 π + with the D 0 observed in three separate decay modes: (1) K − π + , (2) K − π + π 0 and (3) K − π + π − π + , and analagously for the D ∗− modes. A total of 33 events was observed from an integrated luminosity of 73 pb −1 which corresponds to a cross section for Σ( e + e − → e + e − D ∗± X ) of 155 ± 33 ± 21 pb. This result is compatible with both the direct production γγ → c c in the Born approximation and with a more complete calculation which includes both radiative QCD corrections and co…

Searches for sleptons and squarks in e(+)e(-) collisions at 189 GeV

The data collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 188.6 GeV by ALEPH at LEP, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 173.6 pb$^{-1}$, are analysed in a search for the scalar partners of quarks and leptons predicted in supersymmetric models. No evidence for any such particles was found in the decay channels $\sle \to \ell \chi$, $\stop \rightarrow \mathrm{c}\neu$, $\stop \rightarrow \mathrm{b}\ell\snu$, $\sbot \rightarrow \mathrm{b}\neu$, and $\mathrm{\tilde{q}} \rightarrow \mathrm{q}\neu$. Improved mass lower limits have been obtained in the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model.

Measurements of |Vcb|, form factors and branching fractions in the decays → ℓ and → ℓ

Two samples of exclusive semileptonic decays, 579 B0 -> D*+l-νl events and 261 B0 -> D+l-νl 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 Vcb are measured to be FD*+ (1) Vcb = (31.9 +/- 1.8stat +/- 1.9syst) × 10-3,FD+ (1) Vcb = (27.8 +/- 6.8stat +/- 6.5syst) × 10-3. The ratio of the form factorsFD+ (1) and FD*+ (1) is measured to beFD+ (1)/FD*+ (1) = 0.87 +/- 0.22stat +/- 0.21syst. A value of Vcb is extracted from the two samples, using theoretical constraints o…

Search for the standard model Higgs boson

Using a data sample corresponding to about 1 233 000 hadronic Z decays collected by the ALEPH experiment at LEP, the reaction e+e- --> HZ* has been used to search for the standard model Higgs boson, in association with missing energy when Z* --> nunuBAR, or with a pair of energetic leptons when Z* --> e+e- or mu+mu-. No signal was found and, at the 95% confidence level, m(H) exceeds 58.4 GeV/c2. RI ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Buttar, Craig/D-3706-2011; Stahl, Achim/E-8846-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; Murtas, Fabrizio/B-5729-2012; St.Denis, Richard/C-8997-2012; Forti, Francesco/H-3035-2011; Ferrante, Isidoro/F-1017-2012

Bose-Einstein correlations in W-pair decays with an event-mixing technique

Bose-Einstein correlations in W-pair decays are studied using data collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP at e(+)e(-) centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. The analysis is based on the comparison of WW --> q (q) over barq (q) over bar events to "mixed" events constructed with the hadronic part of WW --> q (q) over bar lv events. The data are in agreement with the hypothesis that Bose-Einstein correlations are present only for pions from the same W decay. The JETSET model with Bose-Einstein correlations between pions from different W bosons is disfavoured. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson at the LEP2 collider near

Abstract During 1997 the ALEPH experiment at LEP gathered 57 pb −1 of data at centre-of-mass energies near 183 GeV . These data are used to look for possible signals from the production of the Standard Model Higgs boson in the reaction e+e−→HZ. No evidence of a signal is found in the data; seven events are selected, in agreement with the expectation of 7.2 events from background processes. This observation results in an improved lower limit on the mass of the Higgs boson: m H >87.9 GeV /c 2 at 95% confidence level.

A study of the decay width difference in the B0s– system using φφ correlations

In a data sample of about four million hadronic Z decays recorded with the ALEPH detector from 1991 to 1995, the decay is observed, based on tagging the final state with two φ mesons in the same hemisphere. The final state is mostly CP even and corresponds to the short-lived B0s mass eigenstate. The branching ratio of this decay is measured to be . A measurement of the lifetime of the B0s(short) gives 1.27±0.33±0.08 ps. The lifetime and branching ratio measurements provide two essentially independent methods of estimating the relative decay width difference ΔΓ/Γ in the B0s– system, corresponding to an average value ΔΓ/Γ=(25+21−14)%.

Search for Higgs bosons decaying to WW in e(+)e(-) stope collisions at LEP

A search for Higgs bosons produced in association with a fermion pair, and decaying to WW, is performed with the data collected by the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies ranging from 191 to 209 GeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 453.2 pb^-1. Thirteen exclusive selections are developed according to the different final state topologies. No statistically significant evidence for a Higgs boson decaying into a WW pair has been found. An upper limit is derived, as a function of the Higgs boson mass, on the product of the e+e- -&gt; Hff cross section and the H -&gt; WW branching ratio. The data on the search for H -&gt; WW are combined with previously published ALEPH re…

Correlation measurements in Z→τ+τ− and the τ neutrino helicity

Using data collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP correlations between the decay products of the τ+ and τ- produced in the decay of the Z have been measured. The measurements performed in the decays τ-->πν and τ-->ϱν place limits on deviations from the Standard Model. These are given by the parameter ζ with ζ = -1 for the Standard Model. The measured values are ζπ = -0.95 +/- 0.11 +/- 0.05 and ζϱ = -1.03 +/- 0.11 +/- 0.05. For models which predict ζπ = ζϱ = ζ - interpreted as the average τ neutrino helicity - the measurement is ζ = -0.99 +/- 0.07 +/- 0.04.

ALEPH: a Detector for Electron-Positron Annihilations at LEP

Process-centred Software Engineering Environments (PSEE) are the most recent generation of environments supporting software development activities. Most of PSEE are based on mechanisms promoting enforcement and automation of process activities. In this kind of mechanisms the process models are prescribed in a detailed and complete way. But the experience shows that supporting processes is more concerned with the flexibility of guidance offered during the process performance than with enforcement of a collection of predefined process models. In this paper, we present a solution to support strategic processes in a PSEE by providing a flexible guidance during process enactment.

Search for single top production in e+e− collisions at –202 GeV

Abstract 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)

A measurement of the gluon splitting rate into bb̄ pairs in hadronic Z decays

Abstract A measurement of the fraction of hadronic Z decays in which a gluon splits into a b b pair, g b b , is presented using data collected by ALEPH from 1992 to 1995 at the Z resonance. The selection is based on four-jet events. Events are selected by means of topological cuts and a lifetime tag. The result is g b b =(2.77±0.42 (stat)±0.57 (syst))×10 −3 .

Production of Ds** mesons in hadronic Z decays

The production rates of the orbitally excited Ds** mesons, Ds1 and Ds2*, are measured with the 4.1 million hadronic Z decays recorded by the ALEPH detector during 1991--1995. The Ds** mesons are reconstructed in the decay modes Ds1+ -&gt; D*+ K0, Ds1+ -&gt; D*0 K+ and Ds2*+ -&gt; D0 K+. The production rate of the Ds1 is measured to be n(Z-&gt;Ds1+-)=(0.52+-0.09+-0.06)%, under the assumption that the two considered decay modes of the Ds1 saturate the branching ratio. The production rate of the Ds2* is determined to be n(Z-&gt;Ds2*+-)=(0.83+-0.29+0.07-0.13)%, assuming that the branching fraction of the decay Ds2*+ -&gt; D0 K+ is 45%. The production rates in Z-&gt;cc and Z-&gt;bbar decays are …

Bose-Einstein correlations in W-pair decays

Bose-Einstein correlations are studied in semileptonic (WW --> q (q) over bar lv) and fully hadronic (WW --> q (q) over bar q (q) over bar) W-pair decays with the ALEPH detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies of 172, 183 and 189 GeV. They are compared with those made at the Z peak after correction for the different flavour compositions. A Monte Carlo model of Bose-Einstein correlations based on the JETSET hadronization scheme was tuned to the Z data and reproduces the correlations in the WW --> q (q) over bar lv events. The same Monte Carlo reproduces the correlations in the WW --> q (q) over bar q (q) over bar channel assuming independent fragmentation of the two W's. A variant of this …

Search for neutral MSSM Higgs bosons at LEP

The four LEP collaborations, ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL, have searched for the neutral Higgs bosons which are predicted by the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The data of the four collaborations are statistically combined and examined for their consistency with the background hypothesis and with a possible Higgs boson signal. The combined LEP data show no significant excess of events which would indicate the production of Higgs bosons. The search results are used to set upper bounds on the cross-sections of various Higgs-like event topologies. The results are interpreted within the MSSM in a number of "benchmark" models, including CP-conserving and CP-violating scenarios. Thes…

Measurement of the B hadron lifetime

The average lifetime of B hadrons has been measured by the ALEPH experiment at LEP. Events containing B hadrons are selected by the identification of leptons with high transverse momentum in hadronic Z decays, and the lifetime is extracted from a fit to the impact parameter distribution of the lepton tracks. From a sample of 1.7×105 hadronic Z decays a lifetime of 1.29±0.06±0.10 ps is measured.

Measurement of B- mixing at the Z

Abstract From more than 175 000 hadronic Z decays observed with the ALEPH detector at LEP, we select 823 events with pairs of leptons in the final state. From these we measure χ , the probability thata b hadron which is observed to decay originated as a b hadron. We find χ =0.132 −0.026 +0.027 .

Measurement of the strong coupling constant alfa_s from global event-shape variables of hadronic Z decays

Abstract An analysis of global event-shape variables has been carried out for the reaction e+e−→Z0→hadrons to measure the strong coupling constant αs. 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 αs, 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 αs(MZ2) = 0.121 ± 0.002(stat.)±0.003(s…

Leptonic decays of the D-s meson

The purely leptonic decays Ds -&gt; tau nu and Ds -&gt; mu nu are studied in a sample of four million hadronic Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at the LEP e+e- collider from 1991 to 1995. The branching fractions are extracted from a combination of two analyses, one optimized to select Ds -&gt; tau nu decays with tau -&gt; e nu nubar or mu nu nubar, and the other optimized for Ds-&gt; mu nu decays. The results are used to evaluate the Ds decay constant, within the Standard Model: fDs = [285 +- 19(stat) +- 40 (syst)] MeV

Inclusive semileptonic branching ratios of b hadrons produced in Z decays

A measurement of the inclusive semileptonic branching ratios of b hadrons produced in Z decay is presented, using four million hadronic events collected by the ALEPH detector from 1991 to 1995. Electrons and muons are selected opposite to b-tagged hemispheres. Two different methods are explored to distinguish the contributions from direct $\bl$ and cascade $\bcl$ decays to the total lepton yield. One is based on the lepton transverse momentum spectrum, the other makes use of the correlation between the charge of the lepton and charge estimators built from tracks in the opposite hemisphere of the event. The latter method reduces the dependence on the modelling of semileptonic b decays. The r…

Determination of A(FB)(b) using jet charge measurements in Z decays

An improved measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry in Z --> b (b) over bar 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 root s= m(Z) is determined to be: A(FB)(b) = 0.1017 +/- 0.0032(syst.) +/- 0.0032(syst.). In the context of the Standard Model this corresponds to a value of the effective weak mixing angle of sin(2) theta(W)(eff)= 0.23109 +/- 0.00096. (C) 1998 Pub…