Professor Brian Foster OBE, FRS

Abstract:

The ration R = σ(e+e- → hadrons)σμμ was measured between 12.0 and 36.7 GeV c.m. energy W with a precision of typically ± 5.2%. R is found to be constant with an average R = 4.01 ± 0.03 (stat) ± (syst.) for W ≥ 14 GeV. Quarks are found to be point-like, the mass parameter describing a possible quark form-factor being larger than 186 GeV. Fits including QCD corrections and a weak neutral-current contribution are presented. © 1982.

Abstract:

The inclusive production of π± mesons in e+e- annihilation has been measured at c.m. energies of 14, 22 and 34 GeV for pion momenta between 0.3 ans 10 GeV/c. The fraction of pions among the charged hadrons is above 90% at 0.4 GeV/c and decreases to about 50% at high momenta. The scaled cross sections ( s β) dσ dx at 14, 22 and 34 GeV as well as the 5.2 GeV data from DASP have a rather similar x dependence. After integration over the x range from 0.2 to 0.6 the cross sections indicate a monotonic decrease with increasing centre-of-mass energy. © 1982.

Abstract:

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 geagμa=0.53 ± 0.10. We have also obtained a limit on the vector coupling strength of gevgμv<0.12. The Weinberg angle is found to be sin2θW=0.29+0.09-0.11. From the reaction e+e-→τ+τ- we have found geagτa<0.34, gevgτv<0.55. © 1982.

Abstract:

We present an analysis of ρ0ρ0 production by two photons in the ρ0ρ0 invariant mass range from 1.2 to 2.0 GeV. From a study of the angular correlations in the process γγ→ρ0ρ0→π- π+π- we exclude a dominant contribution from JP=0- or 2- states. The data indicate sizeable contributions from JP=0+ for four pion masses M4π<1.7 GeV and from JP=2+ for M4π>1.7 GeV. The data are also well described by a model with isotropic production and uncorrelated isotropic decay of the ρ0,s. The cross section stays high below the nominal ρ0ρ0 threshold, i.e. M4π<1.5 GeV. The matrix element for ρ0ρ0 production is found to decrease steeply with increasing M4π. Upper limits for the couplings of the ι(1440) and Θ(1640) to γγ and ρ0ρ0 are given:Γ(ι→γγ)·B(ι→ρ 0ρ0)<1.0 keV and Γ(Θ→γγ) © 1982 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

Production of proton-antiproton pairs by two-photon scattering has been observed at the electron-position storage ring PETRA. A total of eight proton-antiproton pairs have been identified using the time-of-flight technique. We have measured a total cross section of 4.5 ± 0.8 nb in the photon-photon c.m. energy range 2.0-2.6 GeV. © 1982.