Guy Wilkinson

Abstract:

The measurement of the average lifetime of B hadrons using inclusively reconstructed secondary vertices has been updated using both an improved processing of previous data and additional statistics from new data. This has reduced the statistical and systematic uncertainties and gives τB = 1.582 ± 0.011 (stat.) ± 0.027 (syst.) ps. Combining this result with the previous result based on charged particle impact parameter distributions yields τB = 1.575 ± 0.010 (stat.) ± 0.026 (syst.) ps.

Abstract:

A search for fully reconstructed Λ⁰b beauty baryons is performed using about 3 million Ζ decays collected with the DELPHI detector at LEP. The analysis relies on the combined use of the accurate tracking and of the hadron identification capabilities of DELPHI. A total of four events has been found, three in the Λ⁺cπ^- channel and one in the Λ⁺ca^-1 channel over a small background. The Λ⁰b beauty baryon mass is measured to be (5668 ± 16 (stat.) ± 8 (syst.)) MeV/c².

Abstract:

From the data collected by DELPHI at LEP in autumn 1995, the multiplicity of charged particles at a hadronic energy of 130 GeV has been measured to be 〈nch〉 = 23.84 ± 0.51 (stat) ± 0.52(syst). When compared to lower energy data, the value measured is consistent with the evolution predicted by QCD with corrections at next-to-leading order, for a value αs(130 GeV) = 0.105 ± 0.003(stat) ± 0.008(syst).

Abstract:

The tau lepton lifetime has been measured using three different methods with the DELPHI detector. Two measurements of one-prong decays are combined, accounting for correlations, giving a result ofττ = 291.8 ± 3.3 (stat.) ± 2.0(sys.) fs while the decay length distribution of three-prong decays gives the result ττ = 286.7 ± 4.9 (stat.) ± 3.3 (sys.) fs. Combining the results presented here with previous DELPHI measurements, we get ττ = 291.4 ± 3.0 fs and find that the ratio of the coupling constant for tau decay relative to that for muon decay is 0.990 ± 0.009, compatible with lepton universality.

Abstract:

The average lifetime of b-baryons has been studied using 3 × 106 hadronic Z0 decays collected by the DEL-PHI detector at LEP. Three methods have been used, based on the measurement of different observables: the proper decay time distribution of 206 vertices reconstructed with a Λ, a lepton and an oppositely charged pion; the impact parameter distribution of 441 muons with high transverse momentum accompanied by a Λ in the same jet; and the proper decay time distribution of 125 Λc-lepton decay vertices with the Λc exclusively reconstructed through its pKπ, pK0 and Λ3π decay modes. The combined result is: τ(b-baryon) = (1.254-0.109+0.121(stat) ±0.04(syst)-0.05+0.03(syst)) ps where the first systematic error is due to experimental uncertainties and the second to the uncertainties in the modelling of the b-baryon production and semi-leptonic decay. Including the measurement recently published by DELPHI based on a sample of proton-muon vertices, the average b-baryon lifetime is : τ(b-baryon) = (1.255-0.102+0.115(stat) ±0.05) ps. © Springer-Verlag 1996.