Guy Wilkinson

Abstract:

A sample of Z0→τ+τ- events observed in the DELPHI detector at LEP in 1991 and 1992 is analysed to measure the τ polarisation in the exclusive decay channels {Mathematical expression}, {Mathematical expression}, πν, ρν and a1ν. The τ polarisation is also measured with an inclusive hadronic analysis which benefits from a higher efficiency and a better systematic precision than the use of the exclusive decay modes. The results have been combined with those published on the 1990 data. A measurement of the τ polarisation as a function of production angle yields the values for the mean τ polarisation 〈P〉τ=-0.148±0.022 and for the Z0 polarisation PZ=-0.136±0.027. These results are used to determine the ratio of vector to axial-vector effective couplings for taus {Mathematical expression}, and for electrons {Mathematical expression}, compatible with e-τ universality. With the assumption of lepton universality, the ratio of vector to axial-vector effective couplings for leptons {Mathematical expression} is obtained, implying a value of the effective weak mixing angle sin2θefflept=0.2320±0.0021 . © 1995 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

A sample of events enriched in bb̄ quark pairs was selected in the data recorded by the DELPHI experiment at LEP during 1992 and 1993, by the presence of secondary decay vertices from short-lived particles. Using this sample, the average multiplicities of Ks0, K±, p(p̄), Λ(Λ) and of charged particles in bb̄ events have been measured, distinguishing the component from fragmentation and the component coming from the decay of b-hadrons. The measurement of the average charge multiplicity in bb̄ events was used to compute the mean fractional beam energy carried by the primary b-hadron, and the difference in charged particle multiplicity between bb̄ events and light quark (uū, dd̄, ss̄) events. © 1995.

Abstract:

A measurement of B meson lifetimes is presented using data collected from 1991 to 1993 by the DELPHI detector at the LEP collider. Samples of events with a D meson and a lepton in the same jet are selected where {Mathematical expression} and D*ℓ+ events originate mainly from the semileptonic decays of B+ and B0 mesons, respectively. From the reconstructed B decay length and the estimated B momentum, taking into account the dilution due to B decays into {Mathematical expression}, the following B meson lifetimes and lifetime ratio are measured: {Mathematical expression} and an average lifetime of B+ and B0 mesons is obtained: {Mathematical expression} © 1995 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

A measurement of the strange quark forward-backward asymmetry at the Z0 peak was performed using 718,000 multihadronic Z0 decays collected by the DELPHI detector at LEP in 1992. The s-quark was tagged by the presence of high momentum charged kaons identified by the Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector and by Λ0;s decaying into pπ-. The s-quark purity obtained was estimated for the two hadrons to be 43%. The average s-quark asymmetry was found to be 0.131±0.035 (stat.) ±0.013 (syst.). The forward-backward asymmetry was measured for unresolved d-and s-quarks, tagged by the detection of a high energy neutron or neutral kaon in the Hadron Calorimeter. The combined d-and s-quark purity was 69% and their asymmetry was found to be 0.112±0.031 (stat.) ±0.054 (syst.). © 1995 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

A search for pair production of neutral heavy Higgs bosons decaying into {Mathematical expression} has been carried out in a study of hadronic decays of the Z boson into four jet final states using data taken by DELPHI in 1991 and 1992. The two production mechanisms present in the two Higgs doublets scheme, bremsstrahlung production of hZ* and associated production of hA, may lead to four beauty jets well recognizable using the precise microvertex detector measurements. No evidence for a signal was found, leading to limits on BR(Z→hA→4b) from 3.5 to 5.5×10-4 at 95% contidence level, depending on the mass of the ligthest Higgs. When combined with the results of the recent DELPHI standard Higgs search, this result allows the kinematical limit to be reached for the masses of h and A in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM) scheme. It also allows the tanβ≤1 domain to be explored, and a region above the kinematic limit for direct hA production is constrained by considering virtual hA production. Results are also given in the general two-doublet scheme. © 1995 Springer-Verlag.