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G. Benelli

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DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2002-01115-1
2003
Cited 129 times
Decay-mode independent searches for new scalar bosons with the OPAL detector at LEP
This paper describes topological searches for neutral scalar bosons S0 produced in association with a Z0 boson via the Bjorken process $e^+e^- \to{\rm S}^0{}{\rm Z}^0$ at centre-of-mass energies of 91 GeV and 183-209 GeV. These searches are based on studies of the recoil mass spectrum of ${\rm Z}^0 \to e^+e^-$ and $\mu^+ \mu^-$ events and on a search for ${\rm S}^0{\rm Z}^0$ with ${\rm Z}^0 \to \nu\bar{\nu}$ and S $^0 \to e^+ e^-$ or photons. They cover the decays of the S0 into an arbitrary combination of hadrons, leptons, photons and invisible particles as well as the possibility that it might be stable. No indication for a signal is found in the data and upper limits on the cross section of the Bjorken process are calculated. Cross-section limits are given in terms of a scale factor k with respect to the Standart Model cross section for the Higgs-strahlung process $e^+ e^-\to{\rm H}_{\rm SM}{\rm Z}^0$ . These results can be interpreted in general scenarios independently of the decay modes of the S0. The examples considered here are the production of a single new scalar particle with a decay width smaller than the detector mass resolution, and for the first time, two scenarios with continuous mass distributions, due to a single very broad state or several states close in mass.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2004-01758-8
2004
Cited 105 times
Search for chargino and neutralino productionat $\sqrt{s} = 192$ -209 GeV at LEP
.Approximately 438 pb-1 of e + e- data from the OPAL detector, taken with the LEP collider running at centre-of-mass energies of 192-209 GeV, are analyzed to search for evidence of chargino pair production, \({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^ + _1\tilde\chi^-_1\), or neutralino associated production, \({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^0_2\tilde\chi^0_1\). Limits are set at the 95% confidence level on the product of the cross-section for the process \({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^ + _1\tilde\chi^-_1\) and its branching ratios to topologies containing jets and missing energy, or jets with a lepton and missing energy, and on the product of the cross-section for \({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^0_2\tilde\chi^0_1\) and its branching ratio to jets. R-parity conservation is assumed throughout this paper. When these results are interpreted in the context of the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, limits are also set on the masses of the \(\tilde\chi^{\pm}_1, \tilde\chi^0_1\) and \(\tilde\chi^0_2\), and regions of the parameter space of the model are ruled out. Nearly model-independent limits are also set at the 95% confidence level on \(\sigma({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^ + _1\tilde\chi^-_1)\) with the assumption that each chargino decays via a W boson, and on \(\sigma({\mathrm{e}}^ + {\mathrm{e}}^-\to\tilde\chi^0_2\tilde\chi^0_1)\) with the \(\tilde\chi^0_2\) assumed to decay via a Z0.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01229-x
2003
Cited 89 times
Inclusive analysis of the b quark fragmentation function in Z decays at LEP
A study of b quark hadronisation is presented using inclusively reconstructed B hadrons in about four million hadronic Z decays recorded in 1992-2000 with the OPAL detector at LEP. The data are compared to different theoretical models, and fragmentation function parameters of these models are fitted. The average scaled energy of weakly decaying B hadrons is determined to be <xe>=0.7193+-0.0016(stat)+0.0036-0.0031(syst)
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2005-02440-5
2005
Cited 64 times
Measurement of the mass and width of the W boson
The mass and width of the W boson are measured using e+e– → W+W– events from the data sample collected by the OPAL experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 170 GeV and 209 GeV. The mass (m W) and width (Γ W) are determined using direct reconstruction of the kinematics of W+W– → ${\text{q\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{q}}}{\ell }\nu$ and W+W– → ${\text{q\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{q}q\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{q}}}$ events. When combined with previous OPAL measurements using W+W– → $ {\ell }\nu {\ell }\nu $ events and the dependence on of the WW production cross-section at threshold, the results are determined to be $ \begin{array}{*{20}c} {{m_{{\text{W}}} = 80.415 \pm 0.042 \pm 0.030 \pm 0.009\;{\text{GeV}}}} \\ {{\Gamma _{{\text{W}}} = 1.996 \pm 0.096 \pm 0.102 \pm 0.003\;{\text{GeV}}}} \\ \end{array} $ where the first error is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to uncertainties in the value of the LEP beam energy. By measuring in the channel using several different determinations of the direction of jets with differing sensitivities to soft particles, a limit is also obtained on possible final-state interactions due to colour reconnection effects inW+W– → ${\text{q\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{q}q\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{q}}}$ events. The consistency of the results for the W mass and width with those inferred from other electroweak parameters provides an important test of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2002-01074-5
2003
Cited 63 times
Multi-photon production in ee collisions at $\sqrt{s} = $ 181-209 GeV
The process $\mathrm{e}^+\mathrm{e}^- \to\gamma\gamma(\gamma)$ is studied using data collected by the OPAL detector at LEP between the years 1997 and 2000. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 672.3 pb-1 at centre-of-mass energies lying between 181 GeV and 209 GeV. Total and differential cross-sections are determined and found to be in good agreement with the predictions of QED. Fits to the observed angular distributions are used to set limits on parameters from several models of physics beyond the Standard Model such as cut-off parameters, contact interactions of the type $\mathrm{e}^+\mathrm{e}^- \gamma\gamma$ , gravity in extra spatial dimensions and excited electrons. In events with three photons in the final state the mass spectrum of photon pairs is investigated. No narrow resonance $X\to\gamma\gamma$ is found and limits are placed on the product of the $\rm X \gamma$ production cross-section and branching ratio.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)00070-3
2001
Cited 62 times
Search for the Standard Model Higgs boson in e+e− collisions at ≈192–209 GeV
A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson has been performed with the OPAL detector at LEP based on the full data sample collected at s≈192–209 GeV in 1999 and 2000, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 426 pb−1. The data are examined for their consistency with the background-only hypothesis and various Higgs boson mass hypotheses. A lower bound of 109.7 GeV is obtained on the Higgs boson mass at the 95% confidence level. At higher masses, the data are consistent with both the background and the signal-plus-background hypotheses.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)01195-9
2001
Cited 61 times
Search for single top quark production at LEP2
A search for single top quark production via flavour changing neutral currents (FCNC) was performed with data collected by the OPAL detector at the e+e− collider LEP. Approximately 600 pb−1 of data collected at s=189–209 GeV were used to search for the FCNC process e+e−→tc(u)→bWc(u). This analysis is sensitive to the leptonic and the hadronic decay modes of the W boson. No evidence for a FCNC process is observed. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the single top production cross-section as a function of the centre-of-mass energy are derived. Limits on the anomalous coupling parameters κγ and κZ are determined from these results.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(03)00639-7
2003
Cited 59 times
Search for stable and long-lived massive charged particles in e+e− collisions at =130209 GeV
A search for stable and long-lived massive particles of electric charge |Q/e|=1 or fractional charges of 2/3, 4/3, and 5/3 is reported using data collected by the OPAL detector at LEP, at centre-of-mass energies from 130 to 209 GeV. These particles are assumed to be pair-produced in e+e− collisions and not to interact strongly. No evidence for the production of these particles was observed. Model-independent upper limits on the production cross-section between 0.005 and 0.028 pb have been derived for scalar and spin-1/2 particles with charge ±1. Within the framework of the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM), this implies a lower limit of 98.0 (98.5) GeV on the mass of long-lived right- (left-)handed scalar muons and scalar taus. Long-lived charged heavy leptons and charginos are excluded for masses below 102.0 GeV. For particles with fractional charge ±2/3, ±4/3 and ±5/3, the upper limit on the production cross-section varies between 0.005 and 0.020 pb. All mass and cross-section limits are derived at the 95% confidence level and are valid for particles with lifetimes longer than 10−6 s.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)01474-5
2002
Cited 58 times
Search for doubly charged Higgs bosons with the OPAL detector at LEP
A search for pair-produced doubly charged Higgs bosons has been performed using data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 614 pb−1 collected with the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 189 GeV and 209 GeV. No evidence for a signal has been observed. A mass limit of 98.5 GeV/c2 at the 95% confidence level has been set for the doubly charged Higgs particle in left–right symmetric models. This is the first search for doubly charged Higgs bosons at centre-of-mass energies larger than 91 GeV.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-011-1733-z
2011
Cited 39 times
Determination of α S using OPAL hadronic event shapes at $\sqrt{s} = 91\mbox{--}209~\mathrm{GeV}$ and resummed NNLO calculations
Hadronic event shape distributions from e+e- annihilation measured by the OPAL experiment at centre-of-mass energies between 91 GeV and 209 GeV are used to determine the strong coupling {\alpha}S. The results are based on QCD predictions complete to the next-to- next-to-leading order (NNLO), and on NNLO calculations matched to the resummed next-to-leading-log-approximation terms (NNLO+NLLA). The combined NNLO result from all variables and centre-of-mass energies is {\alpha}S(mZ0) = 0.1201 {\pm} 0.0008(stat.) {\pm} 0.0013(exp.) {\pm} 0.0010(had.) {\pm} 0.0024(theo.). while the combined NNLO+NLLA result is {\alpha}S(mZ0) = 0.1189 {\pm} 0.0008(stat.) {\pm} 0.0016(exp.) {\pm} 0.0010(had.) {\pm} 0.0036(theo.). The completeness of the NNLO and NNLO+NLLA results with respect to missing higher order contributions, studied by varying the renormalization scale, is improved compared to previous results based on NLO or NLO+NLLA predictions only. The observed energy dependence of {\alpha}S agrees with the QCD prediction of asymptotic freedom and excludes the absence of running.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520100699
2001
Cited 45 times
A simultaneous measurement of the QCD colour factors and the strong coupling
Using data from $e^+e^-$ annihilation into hadrons, taken with the OPAL detector at LEP at the Z pole between 1991 and 1995, we performed a simultaneous measurement of the colour factors of the underlying gauge group of the strong interaction, $C_F$ and $C_A$ , and the strong coupling, $\alpha_s$ . The measurement was carried out by fitting next-to-leading order perturbative predictions to measured angular correlations of 4-jet events together with multi-jet related variables. Our results, \[ C_A=3.02\pm 0.25\mathrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.49\mathrm{(syst.)}\:,\quad C_F=1.34\pm 0.13\mathrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.22\mathrm{(syst.)}\:, \] \[ \alpha_s (M_Z)=0.120\pm 0.011\mathrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.020\mathrm{(syst.)}\:, \] provide a test of perturbative QCD in which the only assumptions are non-abelian gauge symmetry and standard hadronization models. The measurements are in agreement with SU(3) expectations for $C_F$ and $C_A$ and the world average of $\alpha_s(M_{Z})$ .
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2003.10.034
2003
Cited 41 times
Search for the single production of doubly-charged Higgs bosons and constraints on their couplings from Bhabha scattering
A search for the single production of doubly-charged Higgs bosons is performed using e+e− collision data collected by the OPAL experiment at centre-of-mass energies between 189 GeV and 209 GeV. No evidence for the existence of H±± is observed. Upper limits are derived on hee, the Yukawa coupling of the H±± to like-signed electron pairs. A 95% confidence level upper limit of hee< 0.071 is inferred for M(H±±)<160 GeV assuming that the sum of the branching fractions of the H±± to all lepton flavour combinations is 100%. Additionally, indirect constraints on hee from Bhabha scattering at centre-of-mass energies between 183 GeV and 209 GeV, where the H±± would contribute via t-channel exchange, are derived for M(H±±)<2 TeV. These are the first results both from a single production search and on constraints from Bhabha scattering reported from LEP.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02593-5
2002
Cited 40 times
Search for scalar top and scalar bottom quarks at LEP
Searches for a scalar top quark and a scalar bottom quark have been performed using a data sample of 438 pb−1 at centre-of-mass energies of s=192–209 GeV collected with the OPAL detector at LEP. No evidence for a signal was found. The 95% confidence level lower limit on the scalar top quark mass is 97.6 GeV if the mixing angle between the supersymmetric partners of the left- and right-handed states of the top quark is zero. When the scalar top quark decouples from the Z0 boson, the lower limit is 95.7 GeV. These limits were obtained assuming that the scalar top quark decays into a charm quark and the lightest neutralino, and that the mass difference between the scalar top quark and the lightest neutralino is larger than 10 GeV. The complementary decay mode of the scalar top quark decaying into a bottom quark, a charged lepton and a scalar neutrino has also been studied. The lower limit on the scalar top quark mass is 96.0 GeV for this decay mode, if the mass difference between the scalar top quark and the scalar neutrino is greater than 10 GeV and if the mixing angle of the scalar top quark is zero. From a search for the scalar bottom quark, a mass limit of 96.9 GeV was obtained if the mass difference between the scalar bottom quark and the lightest neutralino is larger than 10 GeV.
DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.70.032005
2004
Cited 40 times
Constraints on anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings from<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>ν</mml:mi><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mover><mml:mrow><mml:mi>ν</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>¯</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mover></mml:mrow></mml:mrow><mml:mi>γ</mml:mi><mml:mi>γ</mml:mi></mml:math>and<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>q</mml:mi><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mover><mml:mrow><mml:mi>q</mml:mi></…
Anomalous quartic couplings between the electroweak gauge bosons may contribute to the $\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ final states produced in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collisions. This analysis uses the LEP2 OPAL data sample at center-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV. Event selections identify $\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ events in which the two photons are reconstructed within the detector acceptance. The cross section for the process ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is measured. Averaging over all energies, the ratio of the observed ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ cross section to the standard model expectation is $\mathrm{R}(\mathrm{data}/\mathrm{SM})=0.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04,$ where the errors represent the statistical and systematic uncertainties respectively. The $\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ data are used to constrain possible anomalous ${W}^{+}{W}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $\mathrm{ZZ}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ couplings. Combining with previous OPAL results from the ${W}^{+}{W}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ final state, the 95% confidence level limits on the anomalous coupling parameters ${a}_{0}^{\mathrm{Z}},$ ${a}_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{Z}},$ ${a}_{0}^{\mathrm{W}}$ and ${a}_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{W}}$ are found to be $\ensuremath{-}0.007 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}&lt;{a}_{0}^{\mathrm{Z}}/{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{2}&lt;0.023 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2},$ $\ensuremath{-}0.029 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}&lt;{a}_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{Z}}/{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{2}&lt;0.029 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2},$ $\ensuremath{-}0.020 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}&lt;{a}_{0}^{\mathrm{W}}/{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{2}&lt;0.020 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2},$ $\ensuremath{-}0.052 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}&lt;{a}_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{W}}/{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{2}&lt;0.037 {\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}2},$ where $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ is the energy scale of the new physics. Limits found when allowing two or more parameters to vary are also presented.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2005-02389-3
2006
Cited 36 times
Measurement of the running of the QED couplingin small-angle Bhabha scattering at LEP
.Using the OPAL detector at LEP, the running of the effective QED coupling α(t) is measured for space-like momentum transfer from the angular distribution of small-angle Bhabha scattering. In an almost ideal QED framework, with very favourable experimental conditions, we obtain: \( \Delta \alpha {\left( { - 6.07\;{\text{GeV}}^{2} } \right)} - \Delta \alpha {\left( { - 1.81\;{\text{GeV}}^{2} } \right)} = {\left( {440 \pm 58 \pm 43 \pm 30} \right)} \times 10^{{ - 5}} ,\) where the first error is statistical, the second is the experimental systematic and the third is the theoretical uncertainty. This agrees with current evaluations of α(t). The null hypothesis that α remains constant within the above interval of -t is excluded with a significance above 5σ. Similarly, our results are inconsistent at the level of 3σ with the hypothesis that only leptonic loops contribute to the running. This is currently the most significant direct measurement where the running α(t) is probed differentially within the measured t range.
DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/219/5/052009
2010
Cited 27 times
A comparison of HEP code with SPEC<sup>1</sup>benchmarks on multi-core worker nodes
The SPEC[1] CINT benchmark has been used as a performance reference for computing in the HEP community for the past 20 years. The SPECint_base2000 (SI2K) unit of performance has been used by the major HEP experiments both in the Computing Technical Design Report for the LHC experiments and in the evaluation of the Computing Centres. At recent HEPiX[3] meetings several HEP sites have reported disagreements between actual machine performances and the scores reported by SPEC.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(00)01085-6
2000
Cited 37 times
W+W− production cross section and W branching fractions in e+e− collisions at 189 GeV
From a data sample of 183 pb−1 recorded at a center-of-mass energy of s=189 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP, 3068 W-pair candidate events are selected. Assuming Standard Model W boson decay branching fractions, the W-pair production cross section is measured to be σWW=16.30±0.34(stat.)±0.18(syst.) pb. When combined with previous OPAL measurements, the W boson branching fraction to hadrons is determined to be 68.32±0.61(stat.)±0.28(syst.)% assuming lepton universality. These results are consistent with Standard Model expectations.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01139-y
2003
Cited 33 times
Search for a low mass CP-odd Higgs boson in $\mathrm{e^+e^-}$ collisions with the OPAL detector at LEP2
We have analysed the data collected by OPAL at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209 GeV searching for Higgs boson candidates from the process $\mathrm {e^+e^-} \to \mathrm {h^0}\mathrm {Z}^0$ followed by the decay of $\mathrm {h^0} \to \mathrm {A^0} \mathrm {A^0}$ where $\mathrm {A^0}$ is the CP-odd Higgs boson. The search is done in the region where the $\mathrm {A^0}$ mass, $m_{\mathrm{A}}$ , is below the production threshold for $\mathrm {b \bar b}$ , and the CP-even Higgs boson mass $m_{\mathrm{h}}$ is within the range 45-86 GeV/c 2 . In this kinematic range, the decay of $\mathrm {h^0} \to \mathrm {A^0} \mathrm {A^0}$ may be dominant and previous Higgs boson searches have very small sensitivities. This search can be interpreted within any model that predicts the existence of at least one scalar and one pseudoscalar Higgs boson. No excess of events is observed above the expected Standard Model backgrounds. Model-independent limits on the cross-section for the process $\mathrm {e^+e^-}\rightarrow \mathrm {h^0} \mathrm {Z}^0$ are derived assuming 100% decays of the $\mathrm {h^0}$ into $\mathrm {A^0} \mathrm {A^0}$ and 100% decays of the $\mathrm {A^0} \mathrm {A^0}$ into each of the following final states: $\mathrm {c \bar c} \mathrm {c \bar c}$ , $\mathrm {gggg}$ , $\tau^+ \tau^- \tau^+ \tau^-$ , $\mathrm {c \bar c} \mathrm {gg}$ , $\mathrm {gg} \tau^+ \tau^-$ and $\mathrm {c \bar c} \tau^+ \tau^-$ . The results are also interpreted in the CP-conserving no-mixing MSSM scenario, where the region $45 \le m_{\mathrm{h}} \le 85 {\mathrm{GeV}}/c^2$ and $2\le m_{\mathrm{A}} \le 9.5 {\mathrm{GeV}}/c^2$ is excluded.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2008.03.057
2008
Cited 28 times
Search for Dirac magnetic monopoles in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:msup></mml:math> collisions with the OPAL detector at LEP2
This Letter describes a direct search for pair produced magnetic monopoles in e+e− collisions. The analysis is based on 62.7 pb−1 of data collected with the OPAL detector at an average centre-of-mass energy of s=206.3GeV. The monopole signal was assumed to be characterized by two back-to-back particles with an anomalously high ionization energy loss dE/dx in the tracking chambers. No evidence for production of monopoles was observed. Upper limits were obtained on the magnetic monopole pair-production cross-section (σ) in the mass range 45GeV/c2<mM<102GeV/c2. The average limit is σ<0.05pb and is essentially independent of the magnetic monopole mass. The cross-section limit is derived at the 95% confidence level and is valid for spin-1/2 magnetic monopoles.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2076-0
2012
Cited 21 times
Search for charged Higgs bosons in e+e− collisions at $\sqrt{s}=189\mbox{--}209\ \mbox{GeV}$
Abstract A search is made for charged Higgs bosons predicted by Two-Higgs-Doublet extensions of the Standard Model (2HDM) using electron-positron collision data collected by the OPAL experiment at $\sqrt{s}=189\mbox{--}209\ \mbox{GeV}$ , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 600 pb −1 . Charged Higgs bosons are assumed to be pair-produced and to decay into $\mathrm{q} \bar{\mathrm{q}}$ , τν τ or AW ± . No signal is observed. Model-independent limits on the charged Higgs-boson production cross section are derived by combining these results with previous searches at lower energies. Under the assumption $\mathrm{BR} (\mathrm{H}^{\pm} \to \tau\nu_{\tau}) + \mathrm{BR} (\mathrm{H}^{\pm} \to \mathrm{q} \bar{\mathrm{q}}) = 1$ , motivated by general 2HDM type II models, excluded areas on the $[m_{\mathrm{H}^{\pm}} , \mathrm{BR} (\mathrm {H}^{\pm} \to \tau\nu_{\tau})]$ plane are presented and charged Higgs bosons are excluded up to a mass of 76.3 GeV at 95 % confidence level, independent of the branching ratio BR(H ± → τν τ ). A scan of the 2HDM type I model parameter space is performed and limits on the Higgs-boson masses $m_{\mathrm{H}^{\pm}}$ and m A are presented for different choices of tan β .
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01237-x
2003
Cited 32 times
Search for nearly mass-degenerate charginos and neutralinos at LEP
A search was performed for charginos with masses close to the mass of the lightest neutralino in e+e- collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 189-209 GeV recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP. Events were selected if they had an observed high-energy photon from initial state radiation, reducing the dominant background from two-photon scattering to a negligible level. No significant excess over Standard Model expectations has been observed in the analysed data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 570pb-1. Upper limits were derived on the chargino pair-productin cross-section, and lower limits on the chargino mass were derived in the context of the Minimal Supersymmetric Extension of the Standard Model for the gravity and anomaly mediated Supersymmetry breaking scenarios.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2003.05.008
2003
Cited 30 times
Test of non-commutative QED in the process e+e−→γγ at LEP
Non-commutative QED would lead to deviations from the Standard Model depending on a new energy scale ΛNC and a unique direction in space defined by two angles η and ξ. In this analysis, η is defined as the angle between the unique direction and the rotation axis of the earth. The predictions of a tree level calculation for the process e+e−→γγ are evaluated for the specific orientation of the OPAL detector and compared to the measurements. Distributions of the polar and azimuthal photon angles are used to extract limits on the energy scale ΛNC depending on the model parameter η. It is shown that the time dependence of the total cross-section could be used to determine the model parameter ξ if there were a detectable signal. This is the first experimental study of non-commutative QED at an e+e− collider.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2004-01964-4
2004
Cited 30 times
Scaling violations of quark and gluon jet fragmentation functionsin ${\rm e^ + e^-}$ annihilations at $\sqrt s = 91.2$ and 183-209 GeV
Flavour inclusive, udsc and b fragmentation functions in unbiased jets, and flavour inclusive, udsc, b and gluon fragmentation functions in biased jets are measured in e+e- annihilations from data collected at centre-of-mass energies of 91.2, and 183-209 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP. The unbiased jets are defined by hemispheres of inclusive hadronic events, while the biased jet measurements are based on three-jet events selected with jet algorithms. Several methods are employed to extract the fragmentation functions over a wide range of scales. Possible biases are studied in the results are obtained. The fragmentation functions are compared to results from lower energy e+e- experiments and with earlier LEP measurements and are found to be consistent. Scaling violations are observed and are found to be stronger for the fragmentation functions of gluon jets than for those of quarks. The measured fragmentation functions are compared to three recent theoretical next-to-leading order calculations and to the predictions of three Monte Carlo event generators. While the Monte Carlo models are in good agreement with the data, the theoretical predictions fail to describe the full set of results, in particular the b and gluon jet measurements.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520200896
2002
Cited 30 times
Search for Yukawa Production of a light neutral Higgs Boson at LEP
Within a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) a search for a light Higgs boson in the mass range of 4–12 GeV has been performed in the Yukawa process $\mathrme^+ \mathrme^-\rightarrow \mathrm{b}\bar{\mathrm{b}}\mathrm{A}/\mathrm{h}\rightarrow\mathrm{b} \bar{\mathrm{b}}\tau^+\tau^-$ , using the data collected by the OPAL detector at LEP between 1992 and 1995 in $\mathrme^+ \mathrme^-$ collisions at about 91 GeV centre-of-mass energy. A likelihood selection is applied to separate background and signal. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the expected background. Within a CP-conserving 2HDM type II model the cross-section for Yukawa production depends on $\xi^{\mathrm{A}}_d=|\tan\beta|$ and $\xi^{\mathrm{h}}_d=|\sin\alpha/\cos\beta|$ for the production of the CP-odd A and the CP-even h, respectively, where $\tan\beta$ is the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the Higgs doublets and $\alpha$ is the mixing angle between the neutral CP-even Higgs bosons. From our data 95% C.L. upper limits are derived for $\xi^{\mathrm{A}}_d$ within the range of 8.5 to 13.6 and for $\xi^{\mathrm{h}}_d$ between 8.2 to 13.7, depending on the mass of the Higgs boson, assuming a branching fraction into $\tau^+\tau^-$ of 100%. An interpretation of the limits within a 2HDM type II model with Standard Model particle content is given. These results impose constraints on several models that have been proposed to explain the recent BNL measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2009.09.010
2010
Cited 20 times
Search for invisibly decaying Higgs bosons in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:mo>→</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Z</mml:mi><mml:mn>0</mml:mn></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">h</mml:mi><mml:mn>0</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:math> production at <mml:…
A search is performed for Higgs bosons decaying into invisible final states, produced in association with a Z0 boson in e+e− collisions at energies between 183 and 209 GeV. The search is based on data samples collected by the OPAL detector at LEP corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 660 pb−1. The analysis aims to select events containing the hadronic decay products of the Z0 boson and large missing momentum, as expected from Higgs boson decay into a pair of stable weakly interacting neutral particles, such as the lightest neutralino in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. The same analysis is applied to a search for nearly invisible Higgs boson cascade decays into stable weakly interacting neutral particles. No excess over the expected background from Standard Model processes is observed. Limits on the production of invisibly decaying Higgs bosons produced in association with a Z0 boson are derived. Assuming a branching ratio BR(h0→invisible)=1, a lower limit of 108.2 GeV is placed on the Higgs boson mass at the 95% confidence level. Limits on the production of nearly invisibly decaying Higgs bosons are also obtained.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01325-y
2003
Cited 27 times
Search for pair-produced leptoquarks in e + e- interactions at $\sqrt{s} \simeq 189\text{--}209$ GeV
.A search for pair-produced leptoquarks is performed using \(\mbox{e}^ + \mbox{e}^-\) collision events collected by the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209 GeV. The data sample corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 596 pb-1. The leptoquarks are assumed to be produced via couplings to the photon and the Z0. For a given search channel only leptoquark decays involving a single lepton generation are considered. No evidence for leptoquark pair production is observed. Lower limits on masses for scalar and vector leptoquarks are calculated. The results improve most of the LEP limits derived from previous searches for the pair production process by 10-25 GeV, depending on the leptoquark quantum numbers.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2003.10.063
2004
Cited 24 times
A study of W+W−γ events at LEP
A study of W+W− events accompanied by hard photon radiation, Eγ>2.5 GeV, produced in e+e− collisions at LEP is presented. Events consistent with being two on-shell W-bosons and an isolated photon are selected from 681 pb−1 of data recorded at 180 GeV<s<209 GeV. From the sample of 187 selected W+W−γ candidates with photon energies greater than 2.5 GeV, the W+W−γ cross-section is determined at five values of s. The results are consistent with the Standard Model expectation. Averaging over all energies, the ratio of the observed cross-section to the Standard Model expectation is R(data/SM)=0.99±0.09±0.04, where the errors represent the statistical and systematic uncertainties respectively. These data provide constraints on the related O(α) systematic uncertainties on the measurement of the W-boson mass at LEP. Finally, the data are used to derive 95% confidence level upper limits on possible anomalous contributions to the W+W−γγ and W+W−Z0γ vertices: −0.020 GeV−2<a0Λ2<0.020 GeV−2,−0.053 GeV−2<acΛ2<0.037 GeV−2,−0.16 GeV−2<anΛ2<0.15 GeV−2, where Λ represents the energy scale for new physics and a0, ac and an are dimensionless coupling constants.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520100714
2001
Cited 25 times
Precision neutral current asymmetry parameter measurements from the Tau polarization at LEP
Measurements of the $\tau$ lepton polarization and forward-backward polarization asymmetry near the Z $^0$ resonance using the OPAL detector are described. The measurements are based on analyses of $\tau \rightarrow{\rm e} \nu_e\nu_{\tau}, \tau\rightarrow \mu\nu_{\mu}\nu_{\tau}, \tau\rightarrow \pi\nu_{\tau}, \tau \rightarrow \rho\nu_{\tau}$ and $\tau\rightarrow{\rm a}_1\nu_{\tau}$ decays from a sample of 144,810 $\rm e^+e^-\rightarrow \tau^+\tau^-$ candidates corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 151 pb $^{-1}$ . Assuming that the $\tau$ lepton decays according to V–A theory, we measure the average $\tau$ polarization near $\sqrt{s} ={\rm M}_{\mathrm{Z}}$ to be $\langle P_{\tau}\rangle= (-14.10 \pm 0.73 \pm 0.55)\%$ and the $\tau$ polarization forward-backward asymmetry to be $\rm A_{\mathrm{pol}}^{\mathrm{FB}} = (-10.55 \pm 0.76 \pm 0.25)\%$ , where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. Taking into account the small effects of the photon propagator, photon-Z $^0$ interference and photonic radiative corrections, these results can be expressed in terms of the lepton neutral current asymmetry parameters: \begin{eqnarray} {\cal A}_{\tau} & = & 0.1456 \pm 0.0076 \pm 0.0057, \nonumber {\cal A}_{\mathrm e}& = & 0.1454 \pm 0.0108 \pm 0.0036. \nonumber \end{eqnarray} These measurements are consistent with the hypothesis of lepton universality and combine to give ${\cal A}_{\ell} = 0.1455 \pm 0.0073$ . Within the context of the Standard Model this combined result corresponds to $=0.23172 \pm 0.00092$ . Combing these results with those from the other OPAL neutral current measurements yields a value of $=0.23211 \pm 0.00068$ .
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2004-01809-2
2004
Cited 23 times
Tests of models of color reconnection and a search for glueballs using gluon jets with a rapidity gap
.Gluon jets with a mean energy of 22 GeV and purity of 95% are selected from hadronic Z0 decay events produced in e + e- annihilations. A subsample of these jets is identified which exhibits a large gap in the rapidity distribution of particles within the jet. After imposing the requirement of a rapidity gap, the gluon jet purity is 86%. These jets are observed to demonstrate a high degree of sensitivity to the presence of color reconnection, i.e. higher order QCD processes affecting the underlying color structure. We use our data to test three QCD models which include a simulation of color reconnection: one in the Ariadne Monte Carlo, one in the Herwig Monte Carlo, and the other by Rathsman in the Pythia Monte Carlo. We find the Rathsman and Ariadne color reconnection models can describe our gluon jet measurements only if very large values are used for the cutoff parameters which serve to terminate the parton showers, and that the description of inclusive Z0 data is significantly degraded in this case. We conclude that color reconnection as implemented by these two models is disfavored. The signal from the Herwig color reconnection model is less clear and we do not obtain a definite conclusion concerning this model. In a separate study, we follow recent theoretical suggestions and search for glueball-like objects in the leading part of the gluon jets. No clear evidence is observed for these objects.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02472-3
2002
Cited 23 times
Search for associated production of massive states decaying into two photons in e+e− annihilations at =88–209 GeV
A search is performed for production of short-lived particles in e+e−→XY, with X→γγ and Y→ff̄, for scalar X and scalar or vector Y. Model-independent limits in the range of 25–60 femtobarns are presented on σ(e+e−→XY)×B(X→γγ)×B(Y→ff̄) for centre-of-mass energies in the range 205–207 GeV. The data from all LEP centre-of-mass energies 88–209 GeV are also interpreted in the context of fermiophobic Higgs boson models, for which a lower mass limit of 105.5 GeV is obtained for a “benchmark” fermiophobic Higgs boson.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)00936-4
2001
Cited 22 times
Measurement of the branching ratio for →τ decays
Using about 3.9 million hadronic Z decays from e+e− collisions recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies s≈MZ, the branching ratio for the decay D−s→τ−ν̄τ has been measured to be BR(D−s→τ−ν̄τ)=(7.0±2.1(stat)±2.0(syst))%. This result can be used to derive the decay constant of the D−s meson: fDs=(286±44(stat)±41(syst))MeV.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2004.02.003
2004
Cited 20 times
W boson polarisation at LEP2
Elements of the spin density matrix for W bosons in e+e−→W+W−→qq̄′ℓνℓ events are measured from data recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP. This information is used to calculate polarised differential cross-sections and to search for CP-violating effects. Results are presented for W bosons produced in e+e− Collisions with centre-of-mass energies between 183 GeV and 209 GeV. The average fraction of W bosons that are longitudinally polarised is found to be (23.9±2.1±1.1)% compared to a Standard Model prediction of (23.9±0.1)%. All results are consistent with CP conservation.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01360-8
2003
Cited 18 times
Di-jet production in photon-photon collisionsat $\sqrt{s_{\protect\bf\mathrm{ee}}}$ from 189 to 209 GeV
Di-jet production is studied in collisions of quasi-real photons at e + e -centre-of-mass energies √ s ee from 189 to 209 GeV at LEP.The data were collected with the OPAL detector.Jets are reconstructed using an inclusive k ⊥ -clustering algorithm for all cross-section measurements presented.A cone jet algorithm is used in addition to study the different structure of the jets resulting from either of the algorithms.The inclusive di-jet cross-section is measured as a function of the mean transverse energy Ējet T of the two leading jets, and as a function of the estimated fraction of the photon momentum carried by the parton entering the hard sub-process, x γ , for different regions of Ējet T .Angular distributions in di-jet events are measured and used to demonstrate the dominance of quark and gluon initiated processes in different regions of phase space.Furthermore the inclusive di-jet cross-section as a function of |η jet | and |∆η jet | is presented, where η jet is the jet pseudo-rapidity.Different regions of the x + γ -x - γ -space are explored to study and control the influence of an underlying event.The results are compared to next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations and to the predictions of the leading order Monte Carlo generator PYTHIA.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02343-2
2002
Cited 19 times
Search for charged excited leptons in e+e− collisions at =183–209 GeV
A search for charged excited leptons decaying into a lepton and photon has been performed using approximately 680 pb-1 of e+e- collision data collected by the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 183 GeV and 209 GeV. No evidence for their existence was found. Upper limits on the product of the cross-section and the branching fraction are inferred. Using results from the search for singly produced excited leptons, upper limits on the ratio of the excited lepton coupling constant to the compositeness scale are calculated. From pair production searches, 95% confidence level lower limits on the masses of excited electrons, muons and taus are determined to be 103.2 GeV.
DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.69.032002
2004
Cited 17 times
Experimental studies of unbiased gluon jets from<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>e</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>e</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>−</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math>annihilations using the jet boost algorithm
We present the first experimental results based on the jet boost algorithm, a technique to select unbiased samples of gluon jets in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilations, i.e. gluon jets free of biases introduced by event selection or jet finding criteria. Our results are derived from hadronic ${Z}^{0}$ decays observed with the OPAL detector at the LEP ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider at CERN. First, we test the boost algorithm through studies with HERWIG Monte Carlo events and find that it provides accurate measurements of the charged particle multiplicity distributions of unbiased gluon jets for jet energies larger than about 5 GeV, and of the jet particle energy spectra (fragmentation functions) for jet energies larger than about 14 GeV. Second, we apply the boost algorithm to our data to derive unbiased measurements of the gluon jet multiplicity distribution for energies between about 5 and 18 GeV, and of the gluon jet fragmentation function at 14 and 18 GeV. In conjunction with our earlier results at 40 GeV, we then test QCD calculations for the energy evolution of the distributions, specifically the mean and first two nontrivial normalized factorial moments of the multiplicity distribution, and the fragmentation function. The theoretical results are found to be in global agreement with the data, although the factorial moments are not well described for jet energies below about 14 GeV.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)01560-5
2002
Cited 17 times
Measurement of the hadronic photon structure function F2 at LEP2
The hadronic structure function of the photon F2γ(x,Q2) is measured as a function of Bjorken x and of the photon virtuality Q2 using deep-inelastic scattering data taken by the OPAL detector at LEP at e+e− centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. Previous OPAL measurements of the x dependence of F2γ are extended to an average Q2 of 〈Q2〉=780 GeV2 using data in the kinematic range 0.15<x<0.98. The Q2 evolution of F2γ is studied for 12.1<〈Q2〉<780 GeV2 using three ranges of x. As predicted by QCD, the data show positive scaling violations in F2γ with F2γ(Q2)/α=(0.08±0.02+0.05−0.03)+(0.13±0.01+0.01−0.01)lnQ2, where Q2 is in GeV2, for the central x region 0.10–0.60. Several parameterisations of F2γ are in qualitative agreement with the measurements whereas the quark-parton model prediction fails to describe the data.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2005-02439-x
2005
Cited 16 times
Colour reconnection in e+e– → W+W–at $ {\sqrt s } $ =180–209 GeV
The effects of the final state interaction phenomenon known as colour reconnection are investigated at centre-of-mass energies in the range $\sqrt s$ ≃ 189–209 using the OPAL detector at LEP. Colour reconnection is expected to affect observables based on charged particles in hadronic decays of . Measurements of inclusive charged particle multiplicities, and of their angular distribution with respect to the four jet axes of the events, are used to test models of colour reconnection. The data are found to exclude extreme scenarios of the Sjöstrand-Khoze Type I () model and are compatible with other models, both with and without colour reconnection effects. In the context of the model, the best agreement with data is obtained for a reconnection probability of 37%. Assuming no colour reconnection, the charged particle multiplicity in hadronically decaying W bosons is measured to be ${\left\langle {n^{{{\text{qq}}}}_{{{\text{ch}}}} } \right\rangle }$ =19.38±0.05(stat.)±0.08(syst.).
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-007-0442-0
2007
Cited 13 times
Measurement of the e+e-→W+W- cross section and W decay branching fractions at LEP
From a total data sample of 701.1 pb-1 recorded with e+e- centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s} =$ 161–209 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP, 11693 W-pair candidate events are selected. These data are used to obtain measurements of the W-pair production cross sections at 10 different centre-of-mass energies. The ratio of the measured cross sections to the standard model expectation is found to be: ${\text{data}}/{{\text{SM}}} = 1.002\pm0.011 ({\text{stat.}}) \pm0.007 ({\text{syst.}}) \pm0.005 ({\text{theory}})$ , where the uncertainties are statistical, experimental systematics and theory systematics respectively. The data are used to determine the W boson branching fractions, which are found to be consistent with lepton universality of the charged current interaction. Assuming lepton universality, the branching ratio to hadrons is determined to be 67.41±0.37(stat.)±0.23(syst.)%, from which the CKM matrix element |Vcs| is determined to be 0.969±0.017(stat.)±0.012(syst.). The differential cross section as a function of the W- production angle is measured for the qqeν and qqμν final states. The results described in this paper are consistent with the expectations from the standard model.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-007-0470-9
2007
Cited 12 times
Measurement of αs with radiative hadronic events
Hadronic final states with a hard isolated photon are studied using data taken at centre-of-mass energies around the mass of the Z boson with the OPAL detector at LEP. The strong coupling αs is extracted by comparing data and QCD predictions for event shape observables at average reduced centre-of-mass energies ranging from 24 GeV to 78 GeV, and the energy dependence of αs is studied. Our results are consistent with the running of αs as predicted by QCD and show that within the uncertainties of our analysis event shapes in hadronic Z decays with hard and isolated photon radiation can be described by QCD at reduced centre-of-mass energies. Combining all values from different event shape observables and energies gives αs(MZ)=0.1182±0.0015(stat.)±0.0101(syst.).
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-007-0443-z
2007
Cited 12 times
Bose–Einstein study of position–momentum correlations of charged pions in hadronic Z0 decays
A study of Bose–Einstein correlations in pairs of identically charged pions produced in e+e- annihilations at the Z0 peak has been performed for the first time assuming a non-static emitting source. The results are based on the high statistics data obtained with the OPAL detector at LEP. The correlation functions have been analyzed in intervals of the average pair transverse momentum and of the pair rapidity, in order to study possible correlations between the pion production points and their momenta (position–momentum correlations). The Yano–Koonin and the Bertsch–Pratt parameterizations have been fitted to the measured correlation functions to estimate the geometrical parameters of the source as well as the velocity of the source elements with respect to the overall centre-of-mass frame. The source rapidity is found to scale approximately with the pair rapidity, and both the longitudinal and transverse source dimensions are found to decrease for increasing average pair transverse momenta.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520100597
2001
Cited 18 times
Measurement of triple gauge boson couplings from W $^+$ W $^-$ production at LEP energies up to 189 GeV
A measurement of triple gauge boson couplings is presented, based on W-pair data recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP during 1998 at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV with an integrated luminosity of 183 pb $^{-1}$ . After combining with our previous measurements at centre-of-mass energies of 161–183 GeV we obtain $\kappa=0.97_{-0.16}^{+0.20}$ , $g^{\mathrm{z}}_1=0.991^{+0.060}_{-0.057}$ and $\lambda=-0.110_{-0.055}^{+0.058}$ , where the errors include both statistical and systematic uncertainties and each coupling is determined by setting the other two couplings to their Standard Model values. These results are consistent with the Standard Model expectations.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)01332-6
2001
Cited 18 times
Genuine correlations of like-sign particles in hadronic Z0 decays
Correlations among hadrons with the same electric charge produced in Z0 decays are studied using the high statistics data collected from 1991 through 1995 with the OPAL detector at LEP. Normalized factorial cumulants up to fourth order are used to measure genuine particle correlations as a function of the size of phase space domains in rapidity, azimuthal angle and transverse momentum. Both all-charge and like-sign particle combinations show strong positive genuine correlations. One-dimensional cumulants initially increase rapidly with decreasing size of the phase space cells but saturate quickly. In contrast, cumulants in two- and three-dimensional domains continue to increase. The strong rise of the cumulants for all-charge multiplets is increasingly driven by that of like-sign multiplets. This points to the likely influence of Bose–Einstein correlations. Some of the recently proposed algorithms to simulate Bose–Einstein effects, implemented in the Monte Carlo model Pythia, are found to reproduce reasonably well the measured second- and higher-order correlations between particles with the same charge as well as those in all-charge particle multiplets.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)00131-9
2001
Cited 16 times
Measurement of the mass and width of the W boson in e+e− collisions at 189 GeV
The mass and width of the W boson are determined in e+e− collisions at LEP using 183 pb−1 of data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy s=189 GeV with the OPAL detector. The invariant mass distributions from 970 W+W−→qqqq and 1118 W+W−→qqℓνℓ candidate events are used to measure the mass of the W boson, MW=80.451±0.076 (stat.)±0.049 (syst.) GeV. A direct measurement of the width of the W boson gives ΓW=2.09±0.18 (stat.)±0.09 (syst.) GeV. The results are combined with previous OPAL results from 78 pb−1 of data recorded with s from 161 to 183 GeV, to obtain: MW=80.432±0.066 (stat.)±0.045 (syst.) GeV, ΓW=2.04±0.16 (stat.)±0.09 (syst.) GeV. The consistency of the direct measurement of MW with that inferred from other measurements of electroweak parameters provides an important test of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(01)01485-x
2002
Cited 15 times
Search for leptoquarks in electron–photon scattering at up to 209 GeV at LEP
Searches for first generation scalar and vector leptoquarks, and for squarks in R-parity violating SUSY models with the direct decay of the squark into Standard Model particles, have been performed using e+e− collisions collected with the OPAL detector at LEP at e+e− centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209 GeV. No excess of events is found over the expectation from Standard Model background processes. Limits are computed on the leptoquark couplings for different values of the branching ratio to electron–quark final states.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(00)01145-x
2000
Cited 16 times
Measurement of the B0 lifetime and oscillation frequency using →ℓ decays
The lifetime and oscillation frequency of the B0 meson has been measured using B̄0→D∗+ℓ−ν̄ decays recorded on the Z0 peak with the OPAL detector at LEP. The D∗+→D0π+ decays were reconstructed using an inclusive technique and the production flavour of the B0 mesons was determined using a combination of tags from the rest of the event. The results τB0=1.541±0.028±0.023ps,Δmd=0.497±0.024±0.025ps−1 were obtained, where in each case the first error is statistical and the second is systematic.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520200926
2002
Cited 13 times
Particle multiplicity of unbiased gluon jets from e+e− three-jet events
The charged particle multiplicities of two- and three-jet events from the reaction e $^+$ e $^-$ $\rightarrow$ Z $^0\rightarrow hadrons$ are measured for Z $^0$ decays to light quark (uds) flavors. Using recent theoretical expressions to account for biases from event selection, results corresponding to unbiased gluon jets are extracted over a range of jet energies from about 11 to 30 GeV. We find consistency between these results and direct measurements of unbiased gluon jet multiplicity from $\Upsilon$ and Z $^0$ decays. The unbiased gluon jet data including the direct measurements are compared to corresponding results for quark jets. We perform fits based on analytic expressions for particle multiplicity in jets to determine the ratio $r\equiv\mathrm{N}_{g}/\mathrm{N}_{q}$ of multiplicities between gluon and quark jets as a function of energy. We also determine the ratio of slopes, $r^{(1)}\equiv(\mathrm{d}\mathrm{N}_{g} /\mathrm{d}y) /(\mathrm{d}\mathrm{N}_{q} /\mathrm{d}y)$ , and of curvatures, $r^{(2)}\equiv(\mathrm{d}^2\mathrm{N}_{g} /\mathrm{d}y^2) /(\mathrm{d}^2\mathrm{N}_{q} /\mathrm{d}y^2)$ , where y specifies the energy scale. At 30 GeV, we find $r=1.422\pm0.051,r^{(1)}=1.761\pm0.071$ and $r^{(2)}=1.98\pm0.13$ , where the uncertainties are the statistical and systematic terms added in quadrature. These results are in general agreement with theoretical predictions. In addition, we use the measurements of the energy dependence of ${\mathrm{N}}_{g}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}_{q}$ to determine an effective value of the ratio of QCD color factors, $C_{\mathrm A}/C_{\mathrm F}$ . Our result, $C_{\mathrm A}/C_{\mathrm F}=2.23\pm0.14 $ (total), is consistent with the QCD value of 2.25.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)03020-4
2003
Cited 12 times
A measurement of the τ−→μ−ν̄μντ branching ratio
The τ−→μ−ν̄μντ branching ratio has been measured using data collected from 1990 to 1995 by the OPAL detector at the LEP collider. The resulting value of B(τ−→μ−ν̄μντ)=0.1734±0.0009(stat)±0.0006(syst) has been used in conjunction with other OPAL measurements to test lepton universality, yielding the coupling constant ratios gμ/ge=1.0005±0.0044 and gτ/ge=1.0031±0.0048, in good agreement with the Standard Model prediction of unity. A value for the Michel parameter η=0.004±0.037 has also been determined and used to find a limit for the mass of the charged Higgs boson, mH±>1.28tanβ, in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2004.10.046
2004
Cited 12 times
Determination of the LEP beam energy using radiative fermion-pair events
We present a determination of the LEP beam energy using “radiative return” fermion-pair events recorded at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. We find no evidence of a disagreement between the OPAL data and the LEP Energy Working Group's standard calibration. Including the energy-averaged 11 MeV uncertainty in the standard determination, the beam energy we obtain from the OPAL data is higher than that obtained from the LEP calibration by 0±34(stat.)±27(syst.)MeV.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2004.06.083
2004
Cited 11 times
Flavour independent search for Higgs bosons decaying into hadronic final states in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:msup></mml:math> collisions at LEP
A search for the Higgsstrahlung process e+e−→hZ is described, where the neutral Higgs boson h is assumed to decay into hadronic final states. In order to be sensitive to a broad range of models, the search is performed independent of the flavour content of the Higgs boson decay. The analysis is based on e+e− collision data collected by the OPAL detector at energies between 192 and 209 GeV. The search does not reveal any significant excess over the Standard Model background prediction. Results are combined with previous searches at energies around 91 and at 189 GeV. A limit is set on the product of the cross-section and the hadronic branching ratio of the Higgs boson, as a function of the Higgs boson mass. Assuming the hZ coupling predicted by the Standard Model, and a Higgs boson decaying only into hadronic final states, a lower bound of 104 GeV/c2 is set on the mass at the 95% confidence level.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2006-02581-y
2006
Cited 10 times
Measurement of the strong coupling αS from four-jet observables in e+e- annihilation
Data from e+e- annihilation into hadrons at centre-of-mass energies between 91 GeV and 209 GeV collected with the OPAL detector at LEP, are used to study the four-jet rate as a function of the Durham algorithm resolution parameter ycut. The four-jet rate is compared to next-to-leading order calculations that include the resummation of large logarithms. The strong coupling measured from the four-jet rate is alphas(Mz0)= 0.1182+-0.0003(stat.)+-0.0015(exp.)+-0.0011(had.)+-0.0012(scale)+-0.0013(mass) in agreement with the world average. Next-to-leading order fits to the D-parameter and thrust minor event-shape observables are also performed for the first time. We find consistent results, but with significantly larger theoretical uncertainties.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)01999-8
2002
Cited 12 times
Measurement of the charm structure function F2,c of the photon at LEP
The production of charm quarks is studied in deep-inelastic electron–photon scattering using data recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP at nominal e+e− centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV. The charm quarks have been identified by full reconstruction of charged D★ mesons using their decays into D0π with the D0 observed in two decay modes with charged particle final states, Kπ and Kπππ. The cross-section σD★ for production of charged D★ in the reaction e+e−→e+e−D★X is measured in a restricted kinematical region using two bins in Bjorken x, 0.0014<x<0.1 and 0.1<x<0.87. From σD★ the charm production cross-section σ(e+e−→e+e−cc̄X) and the charm structure function of the photon F2,cγ are determined in the region 0.0014<x<0.87 and 5<Q2<100 GeV2 . For x>0.1 the perturbative QCD calculation at next-to-leading order agrees perfectly with the measured cross-section. For x<0.1 the measured cross-section is 43.8±14.3±6.3±2.8 pb with a next-to-leading order prediction of 17.0+2.9−2.3 pb.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(03)00337-x
2003
Cited 10 times
Bose–Einstein correlations of π0 pairs from hadronic Z0 decays
We observe Bose–Einstein correlations in π0 pairs using back-to-back two jet hadronic events from Z0 decays in the data sample collected by the OPAL detector at LEP 1 from 1991 to 1995. Using a static Gaussian picture for the pion emitter source, we obtain the chaoticity parameter λ=0.55±0.10±0.10 and the source radius R=(0.59±0.08±0.05) fm. According to the JETSET and HERWIG Monte Carlo models, the Bose–Einstein correlations in our data sample largely connect π0s originating from the decays of different hadrons. Prompt pions formed at string break-ups or cluster decays only form a small fraction of the sample.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2002-01070-9
2003
Cited 10 times
Measurement of the mass of the W boson in ee collisions using the fully leptonic channel
A novel method of determining the mass of the W boson in the ${\rm W^+ W^-} \to \ell \nu \ell^\prime \nu^\prime$ channel is presented and applied to 667 pb-1 of data recorded at center-of-mass energies in the range 183-207 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP. The measured energies of charged leptons and the results of a new procedure based on an approximate kinematic reconstruction of the events are combined to give: M_W = 80.41\pm 0.41\pm 0.13 GeV, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. The systematic error is dominated by the uncertainty on the lepton energy, which is calibrated using data, and the parameterization of the variables used in the fitting, which is obtained using Monte Carlo events. Both of these are limited by statistics.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2003.10.022
2003
Cited 10 times
Measurement of heavy quark forward–backward asymmetries and average B mixing using leptons in hadronic Z decays
A measurement of the forward–backward asymmetries of e+e−→bb̄ and e+e−→cc̄ events using electrons and muons produced in semileptonic decays of bottom and charm hadrons is presented. The outputs of two neural networks designed to identify b→ℓ− and c→ℓ+ decays are used in a maximum likelihood fit to a sample of events containing one or two identified leptons. The b and c quark forward–backward asymmetries at three centre-of-mass energies s and the average B mixing parameter χ̄ are determined simultaneously in the fit. Using all data collected by OPAL near the Z resonance, the asymmetries are measured to be: AFBbb̄=(4.7±1.8±0.1)%,AFBcc̄=(−6.8±2.5±0.9)%at〈s〉=89.51 GeV,AFBbb̄=(9.72±0.42±0.15)%,AFBcc̄=(5.68±0.54±0.39)%at〈s〉=91.25 GeV,AFBbb̄=(10.3±1.5±0.2)%,AFBcc̄=(14.6±2.0±0.8)%at〈s〉=92.95 GeV. For the average B mixing parameter, a value of: χ̄=(13.12±0.49±0.42)% is obtained. In each case the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These results are combined with other OPAL measurements of the b and c forward–backward asymmetries, and used to derive a value for the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons sin2θeffℓ of 0.23238±0.00052.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2007.06.001
2007
Cited 8 times
Inclusive production of charged hadrons in photon–photon collisions
The inclusive production of charged hadrons in the collisions of quasi-real photons (e+e−→e+e−+X) has been measured using the OPAL detector at LEP. The data were taken at e+e− centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209GeV. The differential cross-sections as a function of the transverse momentum and the pseudorapidity of the hadrons are compared to theoretical calculations of up to next-to-leading order (NLO) in the strong coupling constant αs. The data are also compared to a measurement by the L3 Collaboration, in which a large deviation from the NLO predictions is observed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2007.08.096
2008
Cited 7 times
Inclusive jet production in photon–photon collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>s</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">ee</mml:mi></mml:msub></mml:msqrt></mml:math> from 189 to 209 GeV
Inclusive jet production (e+e- -> e+e- +jet+X) is studied in collisions of quasi-real photons radiated by the LEP beams at e+e- centre-of-mass energies sqrt see from 189 to 209 GeV. Jets are reconstructed using the kp jet algorithm. The inclusive differential cross-section is measured as a function of the jet transverse momentum, ptjet, in the range 5 <ptjet < 40 GeV for pseudo-rapidities, etaj, in the range -1.5 < etaj < 1.5. The results are compared to predictions of perturbative QCD in next-to-leading order in the strong coupling constant.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02594-7
2002
Cited 11 times
Measurement of the b quark forward–backward asymmetry around the Z0 peak using an inclusive tag
The b quark forward–backward asymmetry has been measured using hadronic Z0 decays collected by the OPAL experiment at LEP. Z0→bb̄ decays were selected using a combination of secondary vertex and lepton tags, and the sign of the b quark charge was determined using an inclusive tag based on jet, vertex and kaon charges. The results, corrected to the quark level, are: AFBb=0.0582±0.0153±0.0012ats=89.50GeV,AFBb=0.0977±0.0036±0.0018ats=91.26GeV,AFBb=0.1221±0.0123±0.0025ats=92.91 GeV, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic in each case. Within the framework of the Standard Model, the result is interpreted as a measurement of the effective weak mixing angle for electrons of sin2θeff,eW=0.23205±0.00068.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2003-01171-y
2003
Cited 9 times
Measurement of the cross-section for the process $\gamma\gamma\to p\bar{p}$ at $\sqrt{s_{ee}} = 183-189 $ GeV at LEP
The exclusive production of proton-antiproton pairs in the collisions of two quasi-real photons has been studied using data taken at $\sqrt{s_{ee}} = 183 $ GeV and 189 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP. Results are presented for $p\bar{p}$ invariant masses, W, in the range 2.15<W<3.95 GeV. The cross-section measurements are compared with previous data and with recent analytic calculations based on t he quark-diquark model.
2014
Cited 4 times
"Tutta casa, letto e chiesa"
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02935-0
2002
Cited 9 times
Charged particle multiplicities in heavy and light quark initiated events above the Z0 peak
We have measured the mean charged particle multiplicities separately for bb̄, cc̄ and light quark (uū,dd̄,ss̄) initiated events produced in e+e− annihilations at LEP. The data were recorded with the OPAL detector at eleven different energies above the Z0 peak, corresponding to the full statistics collected at LEP1.5 and LEP2. The difference in mean charged particle multiplicities for bb̄ and light quark events, δbl, measured over this energy range is consistent with an energy independent behaviour, as predicted by QCD, but is inconsistent with the prediction of a more phenomenological approach which assumes that the multiplicity accompanying the decay of a heavy quark is independent of the quark mass itself. Our results, which can be combined into the single measurement δbl=3.44±0.40(stat)±0.89(syst) at a luminosity weighted average centre-of-mass energy of 195 GeV, are also consistent with an energy independent behaviour as extrapolated from lower energy data.
DOI: 10.1007/s100520100591
2001
Cited 9 times
A study of B $_s^0$ meson oscillation using D $_{\rm s}^-$ -lepton correlations
From data collected around the Z resonance by the OPAL detector at LEP, a sample of B $_s^0$ decays was obtained using D $_s^-}\ell^+$ combinations, where the $D_s^-$ was fully reconstructed in the $\phi\pi^-, \mathrm{K}^{*0}\mathrm{K}^-$ and $\mathrm{K}^0_{\mathrm{S}}\mathrm{K}^-$ decay channels or partially reconstructed in the $\phi\ell^-\bar{\nu}(\mathrm{X})$ decay channel. These events were used to study $\mathrm{B_s^0}$ oscillation. The flavor (b or $\bar{b}$ ) at decay was determined from the lepton charge while the flavor at production was determined from a combination of techniques. The expected sensitivity of the experiment is 4.1 ps $^{-1}$ . The experiment was not able to resolve the oscillatory behavior, and we deduced that the B $_s^0$ oscillation frequency $\Delta m_s > 1.0$ ps $^{-1}$ at the 95% confidence level.
DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/219/5/052016
2010
Cited 4 times
The CMSSW benchmarking suite: Using HEP code to measure CPU performance
The demanding computing needs of the CMS experiment require thoughtful planning and management of its computing infrastructure. A key factor in this process is the use of realistic benchmarks when assessing the computing power of the different architectures available. In recent years a discrepancy has been observed between the CPU performance estimates given by the reference benchmark for HEP computing (SPECint [1]) and actual performances of HEP code. Making use of the CPU performance tools from the CMSSW performance suite, comparative CPU performance studies have been carried out on several architectures. A benchmarking suite has been developed and integrated in the CMSSW framework, to allow computing centers and interested third parties to benchmark architectures directly with CMSSW. The CMSSW benchmarking suite can be used out of the box, to test and compare several machines in terms of CPU performance and report with the wanted level of detail the different benchmarking scores (e.g. by processing step) and results. In this talk we describe briefly the CMSSW software performance suite, and in detail the CMSSW benchmarking suite client/server design, the performance data analysis and the available CMSSW benchmark scores. The experience in the use of HEP code for benchmarking will be discussed and CMSSW benchmark results presented.
DOI: 10.2172/1882567
2022
Data Science and Machine Learning in Education
The growing role of data science (DS) and machine learning (ML) in high-energy physics (HEP) is well established and pertinent given the complex detectors, large data, sets and sophisticated analyses at the heart of HEP research.Moreover, exploiting symmetries inherent in physics data have inspired physics-informed ML as a vibrant sub-field of computer science research.HEP researchers benefit greatly from materials widely available materials for use in education, training and workforce development.They are also contributing to these materials and providing software to DS/ML-related fields.Increasingly, physics departments are offering courses at the intersection of DS, ML and physics, often using curricula developed by HEP researchers and involving open software and data used in HEP.In this white paper, we explore synergies between HEP research and DS/ML education, discuss opportunities and challenges at this intersection, and propose community activities that will be mutually beneficial.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2006.05.016
2006
Cited 6 times
QCD coherence and correlations of particles with restricted momenta in hadronic Z decays
QCD coherence effects are studied based on measurements of correlations of particles with either restricted transverse momenta, pT<pTcut, where pT is defined with respect to the thrust axis, or restricted absolute momenta, p≡|p|<pcut, using about four million hadronic Z decays recorded at LEP with the OPAL detector. The correlations are analyzed in terms of normalized factorial and cumulant moments. The analysis is inspired by analytical QCD calculations which, in conjunction with Local Parton–Hadron Duality (LPHD), predict that, due to colour coherence, the multiplicity distribution of particles with restricted transverse momenta should become Poissonian as pTcut decreases. The expected correlation pattern is indeed observed down to pTcut≈1GeV but not at lower transverse momenta. Furthermore, for pcut→0GeV a strong rise is observed in the data, in disagreement with theoretical expectation. The Monte Carlo models reproduce well the measurements at large pTcut and pcut but underestimate their magnitudes at the lowest momenta. The e+e− data are also compared to the measurements in deep-inelastic e+p collisions at HERA. It is shown that for soft particles, the often assumed equivalence of a single hemisphere in e+e− annihilation with the current region in the Breit frame of a deep-inelastic collision may be misleading. Our study indicates difficulties with the LPHD hypothesis when applied to many-particle inclusive observables of soft hadrons.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-006-0170-x
2006
Cited 6 times
Search for invisibly decaying Higgs bosons with large decay width using the OPAL detector at LEP
This paper describes a topological search for an invisibly decaying Higgs boson, H, produced via the Bjorken process (e+e-→HZ). The analysis is based on data recorded using the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 629 pb-1. In the analysis only hadronic decays of the Z boson are considered. A scan over Higgs boson masses from 1 to 120 GeV and decay widths from 1 to 3000 GeV revealed no indication for a signal in the data. From a likelihood ratio of expected signal and standard model background we determine upper limits on cross-section times branching ratio to an invisible final state. For moderate Higgs boson decay widths, these range from about 0.07 pb (MH=60 GeV) to 0.57 pb (MH=114 GeV). For decay widths above 200 GeV the upper limits are of the order of 0.15 pb. The results can be interpreted in general scenarios predicting a large invisible decay width of the Higgs boson. As an example we interpret the results in the so-called stealthy Higgs scenario. The limits from this analysis exclude a large part of the parameter range of this scenario experimentally accessible at LEP 2.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-009-1175-z
2009
Cited 3 times
Σ−-antihyperon correlations in Z0 decay and investigation of the baryon production mechanism
Data collected around $\sqrt{s}=91$ GeV by the OPAL experiment at the LEP e+e− collider are used to study the mechanism of baryon formation. As the signature, the fraction of Σ− hyperons whose baryon number is compensated by the production of a $\overline{\Sigma^{-}},\overline{\Lambda}$ or $\overline{\Xi^{-}}$ antihyperon is determined. The method relies entirely on quantum number correlations of the baryons, and not rapidity correlations, making it more model independent than previous studies. Within the context of the JETSET implementation of the string hadronization model, the diquark baryon production model without the popcorn mechanism is strongly disfavored with a significance of 3.8 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. It is shown that previous studies of the popcorn mechanism with $\Lambda \overline{\Lambda}$ and $\mathrm{p}\uppi \overline{\mathrm{p}}$ correlations are not conclusive, if parameter uncertainties are considered.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(02)02468-1
2002
Cited 6 times
Measurement of neutral-current four-fermion production at LEP2
Four-fermion final states qqbar e+e- and qqbar mu+mu- from neutral-current interactions in e+e- collisions are studied in the OPAL detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 183 GeV to 209 GeV. The data analysed correspond to a total integrated luminosity of about 650 pb-1 recorded from 1997 to 2000. Corresponding to the acceptance of the OPAL detector, a signal definition is applied requiring both leptons to have a scattering angle satisfying cos0 <0.95. Further requirements are made on the invariant masses of the fermion pairs. The extracted cross-sections for the processes e+e- -> qqbar e+e- and e+e- qqbar mu+mu- are consistent with the expectations from the Standard Model.
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2310.07342
2023
Training and Onboarding initiatives in High Energy Physics experiments
In this paper we document the current analysis software training and onboarding activities in several High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments: ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, Belle II and DUNE. Fast and efficient onboarding of new collaboration members is increasingly important for HEP experiments as analyses and the related software become ever more complex with growing datasets. A meeting series was held by the HEP Software Foundation (HSF) in 2022 for experiments to showcase their initiatives. Here we document and analyse these in an attempt to determine a set of key considerations for future experiments.
DOI: 10.1109/nssmic.2005.1596453
2006
Cited 3 times
The BaBar LST Detector High Voltage System: Design and Implementation
In 2004, the first two sextants of the new limited streamer tube (LST) detector were installed in the BaBar experiment to replace the ageing resistive plate chambers (RPCs) as active detectors for the BaBar instrumented flux return (IFR) muon system. Each streamer tube of the new detector consists of 8 cells. The cell walls are coated with graphite paint and a 100 /spl mu/m wire forms the anode. These wires are coupled in pairs inside the tubes resulting in 4 independent two-cell segments per LST. High voltage (HV) is applied to the 4 segments through a custom connector that also provides the decoupling capacitor to pick up the detector signals from the anode wires. The BaBar LST detector is operated at 5.5 kV. The high voltage system for the LST detector was designed and built at the Ohio State University (OSU HVPS). Each of the 25 supplies built for BaBar provides 80 output channels with individual current monitoring and overcurrent protection. For each group of 20 channels the HV can be adjusted between 0 and 6 kV. A 4-fold fan-out is integrated in the power supplies to provide a total of 320 outputs. The power supplies are controlled through built-in CANbus and Ethernet (TCP/IP) interfaces. In this presentation we will discuss the design and novel features of the OSU HVPS system and its integration into the BaBar EPICS detector control framework. Experience with the supplies operation during the LST extensive quality control program and their performance during the initial data taking period will be discussed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2005.01.021
2005
Cited 3 times
Search for radions at LEP2
A new scalar resonance, called the radion, with couplings to fermions and bosons similar to those of the Higgs boson, is predicted in the framework of Randall–Sundrum models, proposed solutions to the hierarchy problem with one extra dimension. An important distinction between the radion and the Higgs boson is that the radion would couple directly to gluon pairs, and in particular its decay products would include a significant fraction of gluon jets. The radion has the same quantum numbers as the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson, and therefore they can mix, with the resulting mass eigenstates having properties different from those of the SM Higgs boson. Existing searches for the Higgs bosons are sensitive to the possible production and decay of radions and Higgs bosons in these models. For the first time, searches for the SM Higgs boson and flavour-independent and decay-mode independent searches for a neutral Higgs boson are used in combination to explore the parameter space of the Randall–Sundrum model. In the dataset recorded by the OPAL experiment at LEP, no evidence for radion or Higgs particle production was observed in any of those searches at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV. The results are used to set limits on the radion and Higgs boson masses. For all parameters of the Randall–Sundrum model, the data exclude masses below 58 GeV for the mass eigenstate which becomes the Higgs boson in the no-mixing limit.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2005.01.031
2005
Cited 3 times
Measurements of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msub><mml:mi>R</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">b</mml:mi></mml:msub></mml:math> in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:msup></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="…
Measurements of Rb, the ratio of the bbbar cross-section to the qqbar cross- section in e+e- collisions, are presented. The data were collected by the OPAL experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 182 GeV and 209 GeV. Lepton, lifetime and event shape information is used to tag events containing b quarks with high efficiency. The data are compatible with the Standard Model expectation. The mean ratio of the eight measurements reported here to the Standard Model prediction is 1.055+-0.031+-0.037, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2004.09.059
2004
Cited 3 times
Multi-photon events with large missing energy in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:msup><mml:msup><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">e</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:msup></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si2.gif" overflow="scroll"><mml:msqrt><mml:mi>s</mml:mi></mml:msqrt><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>192</mml:mn><mml:…
Events with a final state consisting of two or more photons and large missing transverse energy have been observed in e+e− collisions at centre-of-mass energies in the range 192–209 GeV using the OPAL detector at LEP. Cross-section measurements are performed within the kinematic acceptance of the selection and compared with the expectations from the Standard Model process e+e−→νν¯γγ(γ). No evidence for new physics contributions to this final state is observed. Upper limits on σ(e+e−→XX)⋅BR2(X→Yγ) are derived for the case of stable and invisible Y. In the case of massive Y the combined limits obtained from all the data range from 10 to 60 fb, while for the special case of massless Y the range is 20 to 40 fb. The limits apply to pair production of excited neutrinos (X=ν*,Y=ν), to neutralino production (X=χ˜20,Y=χ˜10) and to supersymmetric models in which X=χ˜10 and Y=G˜ is a light gravitino.
DOI: 10.1109/nssmic.2008.4774926
2008
The CMS software performance at the start of data taking
The CMS software framework (CMSSW) is a complex project evolving very rapidly as the first LHC colliding beams approach. The computing requirements constrain performance in terms of CPU time, memory footprint and event size on disk to allow for planning and managing the computing infrastructure necessary to handle the needs of the experiment. A performance suite of tools has been developed to track all aspects of code performance, through the software release cycles, allowing for regression and guiding code development for optimization. In this talk, we describe the CMSSW performance suite tools used and present some sample performance results from the release integration process for the CMS software.
DOI: 10.1109/nssmic.2011.6154461
2011
Measuring CMS software performance in the first years of LHC collisions
The CMS software framework (CMSSW) is a modular object-oriented data analysis framework enabling the CMS collaboration to process and analyze the fast growing LHC collision data set. A software performance suite of tools has been developed and integrated in CMSSW itself to keep track of CPU time, memory footprint and event size on disk. These three metrics are key constraints in software development in order to meet the requirements considered in the planning and management of the CMS computing infrastructure. The performance suite allows the measurement and tracking of the performance across the framework, storing the results in a dedicated database. A web application is deployed to publish the results, making them easily accessible to software release managers and allowing for automatic integration in CMSSW release cycle quality assurance. The performance suite is also available to individual developers for dedicated code optimization and the web application allows historic regression and comparisons across releases. The performance suite tools and the performance of the CMSSW framework during the first LHC collisions years are described in this paper.
DOI: 10.1016/s0370-2693(00)00971-0
2000
Cited 3 times
A measurement of the rate of charm production in W decays
Using data recorded at centre-of-mass energies around 183 and 189 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP, the fundamental coupling of the charm quark to the W boson has been studied. The ratio RcW≡Γ(W→cX)/Γ(W→hadrons) has been measured from jet properties, lifetime information, and leptons produced in charm decays. A value compatible with the Standard Model expectation of 0.5 is obtained: RcW=0.481±0.042(stat.)±0.032(syst.). By combining this result with measurements of the W boson total width and hadronic branching ratio, the magnitude of the CKM matrix element |Vcs| is determined to be |Vcs|=0.969±0.058.
DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2004.02.046
2004
Measurement of the partial widths of the Z into up- and down-type quarks
Using the entire OPAL LEP1 on-peak Z hadronic decay sample, Z→qq̄γ decays were selected by tagging hadronic final states with isolated photon candidates in the electromagnetic calorimeter. Combining the measured rates of Z→qq̄γ decays with the total rate of hadronic Z decays permits the simultaneous determination of the widths of the Z into up- and down-type quarks. The values obtained, with total errors, were Γu=300+19−18 MeVandΓd=381+12−12 MeV. The results are in good agreement with the Standard Model expectation.
DOI: 10.22323/1.180.0206
2014
Observation of W associated single top (tW) production and search for FCNC in tZ events in proton-proton collisions
The first observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson in protonproton collisions at √ s = 8 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC is presented.The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 12.2 fb -1 .The measurement is performed using events with two leptons and a jet originated from a b quark.A multivariate analysis based on kinematic properties is used to separate the signal from the t t background.The signal is observed with a 6.0 standard deviation excess above a background only hypothesis.A production cross section of 23.4 +5.5 -5.4 pb is measured, in agreement with the standard model expectation of 22.2 ± 1.5 pb.A study of top-quark anomalous couplings is performed through the search for a single top-quark produced in association with a Z boson.The event selection requires the presence of three isolated leptons, electrons or muons, and of at least one jet.The signal extraction is done using kinematic variables and information related to b-tagging, combined using a Boosted Decision Tree.The search is performed in a data sample corresponding to about 5 fb -1 of proton-proton collisions at √ s = 7 TeV recorded with the CMS detector.No evidence of flavor-changing neutral currents is observed and upper limits at 95% confidence level are determined.The corresponding upper limits on the coupling strengths of an effective model are found to be κ gut /Λ < 0.10 TeV -1 , κ gct /Λ < 0.35 TeV -1 , κ Zut /Λ < 0.45 TeV -1 and κ Zct /Λ < 2.27 TeV -1 , where Λ is the expected scale at which new physics could appear.The equivalent top-quark-decay branching fractions are found to be B(t → gu) ≤ 0.56%, B(t → gc) ≤ 7.12%, B(t → Zu) ≤ 0.51% and B(t → Zc) ≤ 11.40%.
DOI: 10.22323/1.180.0072
2014
First measurement of single top production in the tW-channel in pp collisions
DOI: 10.1109/nssmic.2011.6154578
2011
Performance of the CMS silicon Tracker at LHC
The CMS all-silicon Tracker, comprising 16588 modules covering an area of more than 200m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> , needs to be precisely calibrated and aligned in order to correctly interpret and reconstruct the events recorded from the detector, ensuring that the performance fully meets the physics research program of the CMS experiment. The performance has been carefully studied since the start of data taking: the noise of the detector, the data integrity, the S/N ratio, the hit resolution and efficiency have been all investigated with time. In 2010 the Tracker has been successfully aligned using tracks from cosmic rays and pp-collisions, following the time dependent movements of its innermost pixel layers. Ultimate local precision is now achieved by the determination of sensor curvatures, challenging the algorithms to determine about 200000 parameters. Remaining alignment uncertainties are dominated by systematic effects that are controlled by adding further information, such as constraints from resonance decays.
2012
Single top production in CMS
2012
Search for charged Higgs bosons in e(+)e(-) collisions at root s=189-209 GeV
2008
Software validation and performance optimisation in the CMS experiment
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2207.09060
2022
Data Science and Machine Learning in Education
The growing role of data science (DS) and machine learning (ML) in high-energy physics (HEP) is well established and pertinent given the complex detectors, large data, sets and sophisticated analyses at the heart of HEP research. Moreover, exploiting symmetries inherent in physics data have inspired physics-informed ML as a vibrant sub-field of computer science research. HEP researchers benefit greatly from materials widely available materials for use in education, training and workforce development. They are also contributing to these materials and providing software to DS/ML-related fields. Increasingly, physics departments are offering courses at the intersection of DS, ML and physics, often using curricula developed by HEP researchers and involving open software and data used in HEP. In this white paper, we explore synergies between HEP research and DS/ML education, discuss opportunities and challenges at this intersection, and propose community activities that will be mutually beneficial.
2022
Snowmass 2021 Computational Frontier CompF03 Topical Group Report: Machine Learning
DOI: 10.1063/1.2735162
2007
Searches for Gauge-Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking Topologies in e+e− collisions at LEP2
In gauge‐mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking (GMSB) models the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is the gravitino and the phenomenology is driven by the nature of the next‐to‐lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) which is either the lightest neutralino, the stau or mass degenerate sleptons. Since the NLSP decay length is effectively unconstrained, searches for all possible lifetime and NLSP topologies predicted by GMSB models in e+e− collisions are performed on the data sample collected by OPAL at centre‐of‐mass energies up to 209 GeV at LEP.Results independent of the NLSP lifetime are presented for all relevant final states including direct NLSP pair‐production and, for the first time, also NLSP production via cascade decays of heavier SUSY particles.None of the searches shows evidence for SUSY particle production. Cross‐section limits are presented at the 95% confidence level both for direct NLSP production and for cascade decays, providing the most general, almost model independent results.These results are then interpreted in the framework of the minimal GMSB (mGMSB) model, where large areas of the accessible parameter space are excluded. In the mGMSB model, the NLSP masses are constrained to be mχ̃10 > 53.5 GeV, mτ̃1 > 87.4 GeV and ml̃ > 91.9 GeV in the neutralino, stau and slepton co‐NLSP scenarios, respectively.A complete scan on the parameters ofthe mGMSB model is performed, constraining the universal SUSY mass scale Λ from the direct SUSY particle searches: Λ > 40, 27, 21, 17, 15 TeV/c2 for messenger indices N = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, respectively, for all NLSP lifetimes.
2006
New Developments in Measurements of CP Violation
We present several alternative techniques used by the BABAR Collaboration in order to measure the Unitarity Triangle angle {gamma}. We also present the results of two searches designed to improve the measurements of sin(2{beta}) using penguin B decay modes by reducing the hadronic corrections uncertainties.
DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s2004-01810-9
2004
A study of charm and anti-charm production in beauty decays with the OPAL detector at LEP
.The branching ratio of beauty hadrons to final states containing two charm hadrons, Br(b \(\to \mathrm{D\bar{D}X}\), has been measured using an inclusive method in hadronic Z0 decays with the OPAL detector at LEP. The impact parameter significance of tracks opposite tagged b-jets is used to differentiate b \(\to \mathrm{D\bar{D}X}\) decays from other decays. The result is \( \mathrm{Br(b} \to \mathrm{D\bar{D}X}) = (10.0 \pm 3.2 (\mathrm{stat.})^{+2.4}_{-2.9}(\mathrm{det.})^{+10.4}_{-9.0} (\mathrm{phys.}))\%,\) where “det.” is the systematic uncertainty due to the modelling of the detector, and “\({\rm phys.}\)” is the systematic uncertainty due to the modelling of the underlying physics. Using this result, the average number of charm plus anti-charm quarks produced in a beauty quark decay, n c , is found to be 1.12 + 0.11 -0.10.
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.hep-ex/0606052
2006
New developments in measurements of CP violation
We present several alternative techniques used by the BaBar Collaboration in order to measure the Unitarity Triangle angle gamma. We also present the results of two searches designed to improve the measurements of sin(2beta) using penguin B decay modes by reducing the hadronic corrections uncertainties.
2003
A measurement of semileptonic B decaysto narrow orbitally-excited charm mesons
2003
Search for Stable and Long-Lived Massive Charged Particles in e^+e^- Collisions at √s=130 -209 GeV
2003
Search for stable and long-lived heavy charged particles in electron-positron collisions at center of mass energies from 130 to 209 GeV with the OPAL detector at LEP
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2106.15783
2021
Learning from the Pandemic: the Future of Meetings in HEP and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic has by-and-large prevented in-person meetings since March 2020. While the increasing deployment of effective vaccines around the world is a very positive development, the timeline and pathway to "normality" is uncertain and the "new normal" we will settle into is anyone's guess. Particle physics, like many other scientific fields, has more than a year of experience in holding virtual meetings, workshops, and conferences. A great deal of experimentation and innovation to explore how to execute these meetings effectively has occurred. Therefore, it is an appropriate time to take stock of what we as a community learned from running virtual meetings and discuss possible strategies for the future. Continuing to develop effective strategies for meetings with a virtual component is likely to be important for reducing the carbon footprint of our research activities, while also enabling greater diversity and inclusion for participation. This report summarizes a virtual two-day workshop on Virtual Meetings held May 5-6, 2021 which brought together experts from both inside and outside of high-energy physics to share their experiences and practices with organizing and executing virtual workshops, and to develop possible strategies for future meetings as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. This report outlines some of the practices and tools that have worked well which we hope will serve as a valuable resource for future virtual meeting organizers in all scientific fields.
2000
Measurement of the B-0 lifetime and oscillation frequency using (B)over-bar(0)-> D*+l-(nu)over-bar decays
The lifetime and oscillation frequency of the B-0 meson has been measured using (B) over bar (0) --> D(*+)l(-) )over bar> decays recorded on the Z(0) peak with the OPAL detector at LEP. The D*+ --> D(0)pi (+) decays were reconstructed using an inclusive technique and the production flavour of the B-0 mesons was determined using a combination of tags from the rest of the event. The resultstau (B0) = 1.541 +/- 0.028 +/- 0.023 ps,Deltam(d) = 0.497 +/- 0.024 +/- 0.025 ps(-1)were obtained, where in each case the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
2002
Search for scalar top and scalar bottom quarks at LEP. [Erratum to document cited in CA138:29883].
On page 276, Section 3, the anal. preselection requirement (2) should read: \(2) The energy deposited had to be less than 5, 2 and 5 GeV in each side of the SW, FD and GC detectors, resp., to reduce the background from two-photon processes.\. The cor. captions of Figures 2 and 3 are given. [on SciFinder (R)]