Professor Brian Foster OBE, FRS

Abstract:

We report on total cross section and forward backward charge asymmetry measurements of the reaction e+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 reactions e+e-→l+l- has been performed. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

Intermittency effects have been studied directly for the first time in e+e- annihilation, using 37 509 hadronic events at an average CM energy of 〈√s〉=35 GeV. The factorial moments F2, F3 and F4 are given for the rapidity distribution and for the two-dimensional distributions in rapidity and azimuthal angle. The effects of cuts in sphericity and particle momentum are large. Comparison with several fragmentation models are made; some models like the Lund model with O(αs2) matrix element give a qualitative description of the phenomena. The importance of detector effects is demonstrated. The results are discussed in terms of various suggested interpretations of this effect. © 1989.

Abstract:

The production of strange baryons in e+e- annihilation has been studied at centre of mass energies of 34.8 GeV and 42.1 GeV, using the TASSO detector at DESY. Inclusive cross-sections have been obtained for Λ0 and Ξ- production and an upper limit has been placed upon the production rate of Σ*±(1385). We measure the Λ0 multiplicity per event to be {Mathematical expression} and {Mathematical expression} at {Mathematical expression} and 42.1 GeV respectively. The Ξ- multiplicity per event is found to be {Mathematical expression} at {Mathematical expression}. An investigation has been made of the extent to which Λ0 are produced in pairs. The Λ0 cross-section has been studied as a function of event sphericity. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

Data on jet masses, resulting from the decomposition of e+e- hadronic final states into two hemispheres, are presented at centre of mass energies between 12 and 43.5 GeV. Comparisons are made with bare O(αs2) QCD predictions as well as with QCD based fragmentation models. Values for αs and {Mathematical expression} are determined, both with and without hadronization effects included. Upper and lower limits for {Mathematical expression} independent of fragmentation models have been determined to be 0.480±0.025 GeV and 0.047±0.007 GeV respectively. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.