N. Cavallo

The forward-backward muon detector of the L3 experiment is presented. Intended to be used for LEP 200 physics, it consists of 96 self-calibrating drift chambers of a new design enclosing the magnet pole pieces of the L3 solenoid. The pole pieces are toroidally magnetized to form two independent analyzing spectrometers. A novel trigger is provided by resistive plate counters attached to the drift chambers. Details about the design, construction and performance of the whole system are given together with results obtained during the 1995 running at LEP.

A search for exotic unstable neutral and charged heavy leptons as well as for stable charged heavy leptons is performed with the L3 detector at LEP. Sequential, vector and mirror natures of heavy leptons are considered. No evidence for their existence is found and lower limits on their masses are set.

Single- and multi-photon events with missing energy are selected in 619 pb−1 of data collected by the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209 GeV. The cross sections of the process e+e−→νν̄γ(γ) are found to be in agreement with the Standard Model expectations, and the number of light neutrino species is determined, including lower energy data, to be Nν=2.98±0.05±0.04. Selection results are given in the form of tables which can be used to test future models involving single- and multi-photon signatures at LEP. These final states are also predicted by models with large extra dimensions and by several supersymmetric models. No evidence for such models is found. Among others, lower limits between 1.5 and 0.65 TeV are set, at 95% confidence level, on the new scale of gravity for the number of extra dimensions between 2 and 6.

In this Report, QCD results obtained from a study of hadronic event structure in high energy e+e- interactions with the L3 detector are presented. The operation of the LEP collider at many different collision energies from 91 to 209 GeV offers a unique opportunity to test QCD by measuring the energy dependence of different observables. The main results concern the measurement of the strong coupling constant, αs, from hadronic event shapes and the study of effects of soft gluon coherence in charged particle multiplicity and momentum distributions.

The absolute muon flux between 20 GeV and 3000 GeV is measured with the L3 magnetic muon spectrometer for zenith angles ranging from 0 degree to 58 degree. Due to the large exposure of about 150 m2 sr d, and the excellent momentum resolution of the L3 muon chambers, a precision of 2.3 % at 150 GeV in the vertical direction is achieved. The ratio of positive to negative muons is studied between 20 GeV and 500 GeV, and the average vertical muon charge ratio is found to be 1.285 +- 0.003 (stat.) +- 0.019 (syst.).

Scalar partners of quarks and leptons, predicted in supersymmetric models, are searched for in e^+e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies between 192GeV and 209GeV at LEP. No evidence for any such particle is found in a data sample of 450 pb^-1. Upper limits on their production cross sections are set and lower limits on their masses are derived in the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model.

The formation of the η′ in the reaction e+e−→e+e−η′→e+e−π+π−γ has been measured by the L3 detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 91GeV. The radiative width of the η′ has been found to be Γγγ=4.17±0.10(stat.)±0.27(sys.)keV. The Q2 dependence of the η′ formation cross section has been measured for Q2≤10GeV2 and the η′ electromagnetic transition form factor has been determined. The form factor can be parametrised by a pole form with Λ=0.900±0.046(stat.)±0.022(sys.)GeV. It is also consistent with recent non-perturbative QCD calculations.

Single top production in e+e- annihilations is searched for in data collected by the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies from 189 to 209 GeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 634 pb-1. Investigating hadronic and semileptonic top decays, no evidence of single top production at LEP is obtained and upper limits on the single top cross section as a function of the centre-of-mass energy are derived. Limits on possible anomalous couplings, as well as on the scale of contact interactions responsible for single top production are determined.

In a search for the Standard Model Higgs boson, carried out on 212.5 pb-1 of data collected by the L3 detector at the highest LEP centre-of-mass energies, including 116.5 pb-1 above root(s) = 206GeV, an excess of candidates for the process e+e- -> Z* -> HZ is found for Higgs masses near 114.5GeV. We present an analysis of our data and the characteristics of our strongest candidates.

We report on a search for the first generation heavy neutrino that is an isosinglet under the standard SU(2)_L gauge group. The data collected with the L3 detector at center-of-mass energies between 130 GeV and 208 GeV are used.The decay channel N_e --> eW is investigated and no evidence is found for a heavy neutrino, N_e, in a mass range between 80 GeV and 205 GeV. Upper limits on the mixing parameter between the heavy and light neutrino are derived.

We analyse e+e−→ττγ events using 100pb−1 of data collected by the L3 experiment during the 1991-1995 LEP runs at the Z pole. From the energy of the photons and their isolation from the tau decay products, we determine the anomalous magnetic and electric dipole moments of the tau to be, respectively: aτ=0.004±0.027±0.023;dτ=(0.0±1.5±1.3)×10−16e·cm.This is a direct measurement of these τ form factors at q2=0.

Doubly-charged Higgs bosons are searched for in e^+e^- collision data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV. Final states with four leptons are analysed to tag the pair-production of doubly charged Higgs bosons. No significant excess is found and lower limits at 95% confidence level on the doubly-charged Higgs boson mass are derived. They vary from 95.5 GeV to 100.2 GeV, depending on the decay mode. Doubly-charged Higgs bosons which couple to electrons would modify the cross section and forward-backward asymmetry of the e^+e^- -> e^+e^- process. The measurements of these quantities do not deviate from the Standard Model expectations and doubly-charged Higgs bosons with masses up to the order of a TeV are excluded.

The ηπ+π− final state in two-photon collisions is studied with the L3 detector at LEP, at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV with an integrated luminosity of 664.6 pb−1. The f1(1285) meson is observed and the Q2 dependence of its production is compared to different form factor models. The γγ-coupling parameter Γγγ is found to be 3.5±0.6(stat.)±0.5(sys.) keV. The branching fraction Γ(f1(1285)→a0π)/Γ(f1(1285)→ηππ) is also measured.

The series of upgrades to the Large Hadron Collider, culminating in the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider, will enable a significant expansion of the physics program of the CMS experiment. However, the accelerator upgrades will also make the experimental conditions more challenging, with implications for detector operations, triggering, and data analysis. The luminosity of the proton-proton collisions is expected to exceed $2-3\times10^{34}$~cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ for Run 3 (starting in 2022), and it will be at least $5\times10^{34}$~cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ when the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider is completed for Run 4. These conditions will affect muon triggering, identification, and measurement, which are critical capabilities of the experiment. To address these challenges, additional muon detectors are being installed in the CMS endcaps, based on Gas Electron Multiplier technology. For this purpose, 161 large triple-Gas Electron Multiplier detectors have been constructed and tested. Installation of these devices began in 2019 with the GE1/1 station and will be followed by two additional stations, GE2/1 and ME0, to be installed in 2023 and 2026, respectively. The assembly and quality control of the GE1/1 detectors were distributed across several production sites around the world. We motivate and discuss the quality control procedures that were developed to standardize the performance of the detectors, and we present the final results of the production. Out of 161 detectors produced, 156 detectors passed all tests, and 144 detectors are now installed in the CMS experiment. The various visual inspections, gas tightness tests, intrinsic noise rate characterizations, and effective gas gain and response uniformity tests allowed the project to achieve this high success rate.

Using a data sample of 1 475 000 Z → qq̄(γ) events collected during 1994 with the L3 detector at LEP, we have studied the purely leptonic decays of heavy flavour mesons, Ds− → τ−ντ and B− → τ−ντ. A signal is observed in the invariant mass distribution M(γDs−) corresponding to the decay sequence D∗− → γDs−, Ds− → τ−ντ, τ− → l−νlντ. The branching fraction for Ds− → τ−ντ decays is measured to be β(Ds− → τ−ντ) = 0.074 ± 0.028(stat) ± 0.016(syst) ± 0.018(norm). No signal of B− → τ−ντ decays is observed in the data, corresponding to an upper limit on the branching franction β(B− → τ−ντ) < 5.7 × 10−4 at 90% CL.

The measurements of hadron and lepton-pair production cross sections and leptonic forward–backward asymmetries performed with the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies between 130 GeV and 189 GeV are used to search for new physics phenomena such as: contact interactions, exchange of virtual leptoquarks, scalar quarks and scalar neutrinos, effects of TeV strings in models of quantum gravity with large extra dimensions and non-zero sizes of the fermions. No evidence for these phenomena is found and new limits on their parameters are set.

We report the result of a search for charginos and neutralinos, in e+e− collisions at 189 GeV centre-of-mass energy at LEP. No evidence for such particles is found in a data sample of 176 pb−1. Improved upper limits for these particles are set on the production cross sections. New exclusion contours in the parameter space of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model are derived, as well as new lower limits on the masses of these supersymmetric particles. Under the assumptions of common gaugino and scalar masses at the GUT scale, we set an absolute lower limit on the mass of the lightest neutralino of 32.5 GeV, and a limit on the mass of the lightest chargino of 67.7 GeV for M2<2TeV.

We present a study of the inclusive production of π0, η, Ks0 and Λ based on 929,000 hadronic Z decays recorded with the L3 detector at LEP. The measured inclusive momentum distributions have been compared with predictions from parton shower models as well as an analytical Quantum Chromodynamics calculation. Comparing to low energy e+e- data, we find that QCD describes the energy evolution of the hadron spectrum.

We report on the measurement of the leptonic and hadronic cross sections and leptonic forward-backward asymmetries at theZ peak with the L3 detector at LEP. The total luminosity of 40.8 pb−1 collected in the years 1990, 1991 and 1992 corresponds to 1.09·106 hadronic and 0.98·105 leptonicZ decays observed. These data allow us to determine the electroweak parameters. From the cross sections we derive the properties of theZ boson: $$\begin{gathered} M_Z = 91195 \pm 9MeV\Gamma _{\rm Z} = 2494 \pm 10MeV \hfill \\ \Gamma _{had} = 1748 \pm 10MeV\Gamma _\ell = 83.49 \pm 0.46MeV \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ assuming lepton universality. We obtain an invisible width of Γinv=496.5±7.9 MeV which, in the Standard Model, corresponds to a number of light neutrino species ofN v=2.981±0.050. Using also the three leptonic forward-backward asymmetries and the average tau polarization, we determine the effective vector and axial-vector coupling constants of the neutral weak current to charged leptons to be: $$\bar g^\ell v = - 0.0378_{ - 0.0042}^{ + 0.0045} \bar g^\ell _A = - 0.4998 \pm 0.0014.$$ Within the framework of the Standard Model, and including our measurements of the $$Z \to b\bar b$$ forward-backward asymmetry and partial decay width, we derive an effective electroweak mixing angle of $$sin^2 \bar \theta _W = 0.2326 \pm 0.0012$$ . We obtain an estimate for the strong coupling constant, αS=0.142 ± 0.013 and for the top-quark mass,m t =158 −40 +32 ±19(Higgs) GeV, where the second error arises due to the uncertainty in the Higgs-boson mass.

The results of the searches for neutral Higgs boson production in the process e+e− → Z∗ H0 are reported, focusing on Higgs boson masses below 70 GeV. The data sample consists of three million hadronic Z0 decays collected by the L3 experiment at LEP from 1991 through 1994. No signal is found leading to a lower limit on the mass of the Standard Model Higgs boson of 60.2 GeV at 95% C.L. These results are also interpreted in the framework of the General Two Doublet Model and limits on the nonstandard Higgs boson production through the process e+e− → Z∗h0 are set. A lower limit of 66.7 GeV at 95% C.L. is obtained for the case where the Higgs decays into an invisible final state.

The CMS Barrel resistive plate chambers quality tests are performed at three different sites (Bari, Pavia and Sofia), where equivalent software and hardware tools are used. Data from the first 210 detectors are available for a comprehensive analysis. The paper describes the general experimental set-up, the test procedure and the cosmic muon test results. The muon trajectory reconstruction algorithm, used for precise studies, is presented. The criteria to accept or reject a detector are also given. The CMS final-design chambers show an average efficiency greater than 95%.

Recent theories propose that quantum gravity effects may be observable at LEP energies via gravitons that couple to Standard Model particles and propagate into extra spatial dimensions. The associated production of a graviton and a photon is searched for as well as the effects of virtual graviton exchange in the processes: e+e- -> gamma gamma, ZZ, WW, mu mu, tau tau, qq and ee No evidence for this new interaction is found in the data sample collected by the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to 183 GeV. Limits close to 1 TeV on the scale of this new scenario of quantum gravity are set.

The hadronic photon structure function Fγ2 is studied in the reaction e+e−→e+e−hadrons at LEP with the L3 detector. The data, collected from 1991 to 1995 at a centre-of-mass energy s≃91 GeV, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 140 pb−1. The photon structure function Fγ2 is measured in the Q2 interval 1.2 GeV2 ≤Q2≤9.0 GeV2 and the x interval 0.002<x<0.2. Fγ2 shows a linear growth with lnQ2. The value of the slope α−1dFγ2(Q2)/dlnQ2 is measured to be 0.079±0.011±0.009.

The production of c and b quarks in gamma-gamma collisions is studied with the L3 detector at LEP with 410 pb^-1 of data, collected at centre-of-mass energies from 189 GeV to 202 GeV. Hadronic final states containing c and b quarks are identified by detecting electrons or muons from their semileptonic decays. The cross sections sigma(e+e- -> e+e- c c~ X) and sigma(e+e- -> e+e- b b~ X) are measured and compared to next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations. The cross section of b production is measured in gamma-gamma collisions for the first time. It is in excess of the QCD prediction by a factor of three.

Final results of the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson are presented for the data collected by the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to about 209 GeV. These data are compared with the expectations of Standard Model processes for Higgs boson masses up to 120 GeV. A lower limit on the mass of the Standard Model Higgs boson of 112.0 GeV is set at the 95 % confidence level. The most significant high mass candidate is a Hnunu event. It has a reconstructed Higgs mass of 115 GeV and it was recorded at root(s)=206.4 GeV.

We have searched for neutralinos produced via the reactions e+e− → χχ′ and e+e−→ χ′χ′, where the next-to lightest neutralino, χ′, decays into the lightest neutralino, χ, and either a photon or a fermion pair. Based on 1.8 × 106 hadronic Z decays collected with the L3 detector at LEP, no signal has been observed. We present upper limits of a few times 10−5 on the branching ratios Z → χχ′ and Z → χ′χ′. In the framework of the Minimial Supersymmetric Standard Model, we exclude a lightest χ with mχ less than 18 GeV, if either tan β > 2 or the gluino mass m≈g > 100 GeV.

The e+e−→e+e−KS0K±π∓ and e+e−→e+e−ηπ+π− final states are studied with the L3 detector at LEP using data collected at centre-of-mass energies from 183 GeV up to 202 GeV. The mass spectrum of the K0SK±π∓ final state shows an enhancement around 1470 MeV, which is identified with the pseudoscalar meson η(1440). This state is observed in γγ collisions for the first time and its two-photon width is measured to be Γγγ(η(1440))×BR(η(1440)→KK̄π)=212±50 (stat.)±23 (sys.) eV. Clear evidence is also obtained for the formation of the axial vector mesons f1(1420) and f1(1285). In the ηπ+π− channel the f1(1285) is observed, and upper limits for the formation of η(1440) and η(1295) are obtained.

A search for pair-produced charged Higgs bosons is performed with the L3 detector at LEP using data collected at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 629.4/pb. Decays into a charm and a strange quark or into a tau lepton and its neutrino are considered. No significant excess is observed and lower limits on the mass of the charged Higgs boson are derived at the 95% confidence level. They vary from 76.5 to 82.7GeV, as a function of the H->tv branching ratio.

We present a study of the structure of hadronic events recorded by the L3 detector at center-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5 pb−1 collected during the high energy run of 1995. The shapes of the event shape distributions and the energy dependence of their mean values are well reproduced by QCD models. From a comparison of the data with resummed O(αs2) QCD calculations, we determine the strong coupling constant to be αs(133 GeV) = 0.107 ± 0.005(exp) ± 0.006(theor).

The formation of highly reactive compounds in the gas mixture during Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) operation at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) is studied. Results from two different types of chambers are discussed: 50 × 50 cm2 RPC prototypes and two final CMS-RB1 chambers. The RB1 detectors were also connected to a closed loop gas system. Gas composition, possible additional impurities as well as fluoride ions have been monitored in different gamma irradiation conditions both in open and closed loop mode. The chemical composition of the RPC electrode surface has also been analyzed using an electron microscope equipped with an EDS/X-ray.

Bose-Einstein correlations of pairs of identical charged pions produced in hadronic Z decays are analyzed in terms of various parametrizations. A good description is achieved using a L\'evy stable distribution in conjunction with a model where a particle's momentum is correlated with its space-time point of production, the \taumodel. Using this description and the measured rapidity and transverse momentum distributions, the space-time evolution of particle emission in two-jet events is reconstructed. However, the elongation of the particle emission region previously observed is not accommodated in the \taumodel, and this is investigated using an \adhoc/ modification.

Extra spatial dimensions are proposed by recent theories that postulate the scale of gravity to be of the same order as the electroweak scale. A sizeable interaction between gravitons and Standard Model particles is then predicted. Effects of these new interactions in boson and fermion pair production are searched for in the data sample collected at centre-of-mass energies above the Z pole by the L3 detector at LEP. In addition, the direct production of a graviton associated with a Z boson is investigated. No statistically significant hints for the existence of these effects are found and lower limits in excess of 1 TeV are derived on the scale of this new theory of gravity.

The K0s K0s final state in two-photon collisions is studied with the L3 detector at LEP. The mass spectrum is dominated by the formation of the f_2'(1525) tensor meson in the helicity-two state with a two-photon width times the branching ratio into K Kbar of 76 +- 6 +- 11 eV. A clear signal for the formation of the f_J(1710) is observed and it is found to be dominated by the spin-two helicity-two state. No resonance is observed in the mass region around 2.2 GeV and an upper limit of 1.4 eV at 95% C.L. is derived for the two-photon width times the branching ratio into K0s K0s for the glueball candidate xi(2230).

The reaction e+e− → e+e−γ∗γ∗ → e+e− hadrons is analysed using data collected by the L3 detector during the LEP runs at s = 130−140 GeV and s = 161 GeV. The cross sections σ(e+e− → e+e− hadrons) and σ(γγ → hadrons) are measured in the interval 5 ≤ Wγγ ≤ 75 GeV. The energy dependence of the σ(γγ → hadrons) cross section is consistent with the universal Regge behaviour of total hadronic cross sections.

Single and multi-photon events with missing energy are analysed using data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV, for a total of 176 pb^{-1} of integrated luminosity. The cross section of the process e+e- -> nu nu gamma (gamma) is measured and the number of light neutrino flavours is determined to be N_\nu = 3.011 +/- 0.077 including lower energy data. Upper limits on cross sections of supersymmetric processes are set and interpretations in supersymmetric models provide improved limits on the masses of the lightest neutralino and the gravitino. Graviton-photon production in low scale gravity models with extra dimensions is searched for and limits on the energy scale of the model are set exceeding 1 TeV for two extra dimensions.

Measurements of the two-photon interaction e+e− → e+e− + hadrons at s≃ 91GeV and s≃ 183GeV are presented. The double-tag events, collected with the L3 detector, correspond to interated luminosities of 140 pb−1 at 91 GeV and 52 pb−1 at 183 GeV. The cross-section of γ∗γ∗ collisions has been measured at 〈Q2〉 = 3.5 GeV2 and 〈Q2〉 = 14 GeV2. The data agree well with predictions based on perturbative QCD, while the Quark Parton Model alone is insufficient to describe the data.

The cross section of W-boson pair-production is measured with the L3 detector at LEP. In a data sample corresponding to a total luminosity of 629.4 pb−1, collected at centre-of-mass energies ranging from 189 to 209 GeV, 9834 four-fermion events with W bosons decaying into hadrons or leptons are selected. The total cross section is measured with a precision of 1.4% and agrees with the Standard Model expectation. Assuming charged-lepton universality, the branching fraction for hadronic W-boson decays is measured to be: Br(W→hadrons)=67.50±0.42(stat.)±0.30(syst.)%, in agreement with the Standard Model. Differential cross sections as a function of the W− production angle are also measured for the semi-leptonic channels qqeν and qqμν.

A search, in e^+e^- collisions, for chargino, neutralino, scalar lepton and scalar quark pair-production is performed, without assuming R-parity conservation in decays, in the case that only one of the coupling constants lambda_ijk or lambda''_ijk is non-negligible. No signal is found in data up to a centre-of-mass energy of 208GeV. Limits on the production cross sections and on the masses of supersymmetric particles are derived.

We search, in the context of extra-dimension scenarios, for the possible existence of brane fluctuations, called branons. Events with a single photon or a single Z-boson and missing energy and momentum collected with the L3 detector in e^+ e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies sqrt{s}=189-209$ GeV are analysed. No excess over the Standard Model expectations is found and a lower limit at 95% confidence level of 103 GeV is derived for the mass of branons, for a scenario with small brane tensions. Alternatively, under the assumption of a light branon, brane tensions below 180 GeV are excluded.

The process e+e−→W+W−γ is studied using the data collected by the L3 detector at LEP. New results, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 427.4 pb−1 at centre-of-mass energies from 192 to 207 GeV, are presented. The W+W−γ cross sections are measured to be in agreement with Standard Model expectations. No hints of anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings are observed. Limits at 95% confidence level are derived using also the process e+e−→νν̄γγ.

The evolution of the electromagnetic coupling, alpha, in the momentum-transfer range 1800GeV^2 < -Q^2 < 21600GeV^2 is studied with about 40000 Bhabha-scattering events collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies 189-209GeV. The running of alpha is parametrised as: alpha(Q^2) = alpha_0/(1-C Delta alpha(Q^2)), where alpha_0=\alpha(Q^2=0) is the fine-structure constant and C=1 corresponds to the evolution expected in QED. A fit to the differential cross section of the e+e- ->e+e- process for scattering angles in the range |cos theta|<0.9 excludes the hypothesis of a constant value of alpha, C=0, and validates the QED prediction with the result: C = 1.05 +/- 0.07 +/- 0.14, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

Triple-GEM detector technology was recently selected by CMS for a part of the upgrade of its forward muon detector system as GEM detectors provide a stable operation in the high radiation environment expected during the future High-Luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). In a first step, GEM chambers (detectors) will be installed in the innermost muon endcap station in the $1.6<\left|\eta\right|<2.2$ pseudo-rapidity region, mainly to control level-1 muon trigger rates after the second LHC Long Shutdown. These new chambers will add redundancy to the muon system in the $\eta$-region where the background rates are high, and the bending of the muon trajectories due to the CMS magnetic field is small. A novel construction technique for such chambers has been developed in such a way where foils are mounted onto a single stack and then uniformly stretched mechanically, avoiding the use of spacers and glue inside the active gas volume. We describe the layout, the stretching mechanism and the overall assembly technique of such GEM chambers.

The reaction e+e−→e+e−γ∗γ∗→e+e−hadrons for quasi-real photons is studied using data from s=183 GeV up to 202 GeV. Results on the total cross sections σ(e+e−→e+e−hadrons) and σ(γγ→hadrons) are given for the two-photon centre-of-mass energies 5 GeV⩽Wγγ⩽185 GeV. The total cross section of two real photons is described by a Regge parametrisation. We observe a steeper rise with the two-photon centre-of-mass energy as compared to the hadron–hadron and the photon–proton cross sections. The data are also compared to the expectations of different theoretical models.

We report on the measurement of W-boson pair-production with the L3 detector at LEP at a centre-of-mass energy of 161.34 GeV. In a data sample corresponding to a total luminosity of 11 pb−1, we select four-fermion events with high invariant masses of pairs of hadronic jets or leptons. Combining all final states, the measured total cross section for W-pair production is: sigmaWW = 2.89−0.70+0.81(stat.) ± 0.14 (syst.) pb. Within the Standard Model, this corresponds to a mass of the W boson of: MW = 80.80−0.42+0.48 (exp.) ± 0.03 (LEP) GeV. Limits on anomalous triple-vector-boson couplings are derived.

A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson has been performed with the L3 detector at LEP. The data sample was collected at three centre-of-mass energies, 161.3, 170.3 and 172.3 GeV with integrated luminosities of 10.8, 1.0 and 9.2 pb, respectively. No Higgs signal is observed. In combination with previous data taken at the Z resonance, a lower Higgs mass limit, MH > 69.5 GeV, is obtained at 95% confidence level.

We measure Bose-Einstein correlations between like-sign charged pion pairs in hadronic Z decays with the L3 detector at LEP. The analysis is performed in three dimensions in the longitudinal center-of-mass system. The pion source is found to be elongated along the thrust axis with a ratio of transverse to longitudinal radius of $0.81\pm 0.02 ^{+0.03}_{-0.19}$.

Total and differential cross sections for the process e+e− → γγ(γ), and the total cross section for the process e+e− → γγγ, are measured at energies around 91 GeV using the data collected with the L3 detector from 1991 to 1993. We set lower limits, at 95% CL, on a contact interaction energy scale parameter Λ > 602 GeV, on the mass of an excited electron me∗>146GeV and on the QED cut-off parameters Λ+ > 149 GeV and Λ_ > 143 GeV. Upper limits are also set o branching fractions of Z decaying into γγ, π° and ηγ of 5.2 × 10−5, 5.2 × 10−5 and 7.6 × 10−5 respectively. The reactions e+e− → ℓ+ℓ−nγ (ℓ = e, μ, τ) are studied using the data collected from 1990 to 1994. The data are consistent with the QED expectations.

A measurement of the inclusive charmless semileptonic branching fraction of beauty hadrons, b→Xuℓν, has been performed using almost two million hadronic Z decays collected by the L3 experiment at LEP, yielding the result: Br(b→Xuℓν)=(3.3±1.0±1.7)×10−3. The first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The modulus of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element Vub extracted from this measurement is: |Vub|=(6.0+0.8−1.0+1.4−1.9±0.2)×10−3, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and theoretical, respectively.

Results are presented from a study of the structure of high energy hadronic events recorded by the L3 detector at sqrt(s)>192 GeV. The distributions of several event shape variables are compared to resummed O(alphaS^2) QCD calculations. We determine the strong coupling constant at three average centre-of-mass energies: 194.4, 200.2 and 206.2 GeV. These measurements, combined with previous L3 measurements at lower energies, demonstrate the running of alphaS as expected in QCD and yield alphaS(mZ) = 0.1227 +- 0.0012 +- 0.0058, where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.

Anomalous couplings of the Higgs boson are searched for through the processes e^+ e^- -> H gamma, e^+ e^- -> e^+ e^- H and e^+ e^- -> HZ. The mass range 70 GeV < m_H < 190 GeV is explored using 602 pb^-1 of integrated luminosity collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies sqrt(s)=189-209 GeV. The Higgs decay channels H -> ffbar, H -> gamma gamma, H -> Z\gamma and H -> WW^(*) are considered and no evidence is found for anomalous Higgs production or decay. Limits on the anomalous couplings d, db, Delta(g1z), Delta(kappa_gamma) and xi^2 are derived as well as limits on the H -> gamma gamma and H -> Z gamma decay rates.

The K0SK±π∓ final state in two-photon collisions is studied with the L3 detector at LEP at e+e− centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209 GeV with an integrated luminosity of 664.6 pb−1. The η(1475) and f1(1420) mesons are observed and their contribution is separated by measuring the formation rates as a function of the photon virtuality Q2. The η(1475) is found to be dominant for Q2 ⩽ 0.01GeV2 and its two-photon width is measured to be 0.23±0.05 (stat.) ±0.05 (sys.) keV. At higher Q2, the f1(1420) is formed and decays to K*(892)K. The γγ coupling and form factor parameters of this state are measured to be Γγγ = 3.2±0.6 (stat.) ±0.7 (sys.) keV and Λ1 = 926±72 (stat.) ±32 (sys.) MeV, respectively.

The status of the CMS RPC Gas Gain Monitoring (GGM) system developed at the Frascati Laboratory of INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) is reported on. The GGM system is a cosmic ray telescope based on small RPC detectors operated with the same gas mixture used by the CMS RPC system. The GGM gain and efficiency are continuously monitored on-line, thus providing a fast and accurate determination of any shift in working point conditions. The construction details and the first result of GGM commissioning are described.

A measurement of the Higgs boson Yukawa coupling to the top quark is presented using proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{-1}$, recorded with the CMS detector. The coupling strength with respect to the standard model value, $Y_\mathrm{t}$, is determined from kinematic distributions in $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ final states containing ee, $μμ$, or e$μ$ pairs. Variations of the Yukawa coupling strength lead to modified distributions for $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ production. In particular, the distributions of the mass of the $\mathrm{t\bar{t}}$ system and the rapidity difference of the top quark and antiquark are sensitive to the value of $Y_\mathrm{t}$. The measurement yields a best fit value of $Y_\mathrm{t} =$ 1.16 $^{+0.24}_{-0.35}$, bounding $Y_\mathrm{t}$ $\lt$ 1.54 at a 95% confidence level.

We present a study of the structure of hadronic events recorded by the L3 detector at LEP at the center of mass energies of 161 and 172 GeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 21.25 pb−1 collected during the high energy runs of 1996. The distributions of event shape variables and the energy dependence of their mean values are well reproduced by QCD models. From a comparison of the data with resummed O(αs2) QCD calculations, we determine the strong coupling constant at the two energies. Combining this with our earlier measurements we find that the strong coupling constant decreases with increasing energy as expected in QCD.

With a data sample of 86 000 Z → τ+τ−(γ) events collected in 1990 through 1993 we have measured the polarization of τ-leptons as a function of the production polar angle using the following 1-prong τ decay modes: τ−→e−vevτ, τ−→π−(K−)vτ, τ−→ϱ−vτandτ−→a1−vτ. We obtain for the ratio vector to axial-vector weak neutral couplings for electrons gVe/gAe=0.0791±0.0099(stat)±0.0025 (syst) and taus gVτ/gAτ=0.0752±0.0063 (stat)±0.0045 (syst) consistent with the hypothesis of e - τ universality. Assuming universality of the e - τ neutral current we determine the effective electroweak mixing angle to be sin2 θeffw = 0.2309 ± 0.0016.

Several small single gap Resistive Plate Chambers and two RB1 CMS final stations have been exposed during the last year at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility to study possible long-term ageing effects. Up to now, an integrated charge of about 0.05C/(cm2gap) and 0.025 C/(cm2 gap) has been accumulated for the small RPCs and the large RB1 stations, respectively. Current, rate, fast charge and efficiency have been continuously monitored with muon beam or cosmics. Results concerning operation with a moisty mixture are also reported.

We report the observation of $823\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}57$ ${B}^{0}$ and $970\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}65$ ${B}^{+}$ decays to doubly charmed final states ${D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)}K,$ where ${D}^{(*)}$ and ${D}^{(*)}$ are fully reconstructed and K is either a ${K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ or a ${K}^{0}.$ We use a sample of $82.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9$ million $B\overline{B}$ events collected between 1999 and 2002 with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II storage ring at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The 22 possible B decays to ${D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)}K$ are reconstructed exclusively and the corresponding branching fractions or limits are determined. The branching fractions of the ${B}^{0}$ and of the ${B}^{+}$ to ${D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)}K$ are found to be $\mathcal{B}{(B}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)}K)=[4.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3(\mathrm{stat})\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6(\mathrm{syst})]%,$ $\mathcal{B}{(B}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)}K)=[3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3(\mathrm{stat})\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5(\mathrm{syst})]%.$ A search for decays to orbitally excited ${D}_{s}$ states, $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{B}{D}^{(*)}{D}_{\mathrm{sJ}}^{+}$ ${(D}_{\mathrm{sJ}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{(*)0}{K}^{+}),$ is also performed. No statistically significant contributions from ${D}_{s1}^{+}(2536)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{*0}{K}^{+}$ and ${D}_{\mathrm{sJ}}^{+}(2573)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{0}{K}^{+}$ to the ${D}^{(*)}{D}^{(*)0}{K}^{+}$ final state are found and we set 90% C.L. limits on their production rates.

A search for a Higgs boson produced in e^+e^- collisions in association with a Z boson and decaying into invisible particles is performed. Data collected at LEP with the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies from 189 GeV to 209 GeV are used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.63/fb. Events with hadrons, electrons or muons with visible masses compatible with a Z boson and missing energy and momentum are selected. They are consistent with the Standard Model expectations. A lower limit of 112.3 GeV is set at 95% confidence level on the mass of the invisibly-decaying Higgs boson in the hypothesis that its production cross section equals that of the Standard Model Higgs boson. Relaxing this hypothesis, upper limits on the production cross section are derived.

New measurements at a centre-of-mass energy s≃183 GeV of the hadronic photon structure function Fγ2(x) in the Q2 interval, 9 GeV2 ≤Q2≤30 GeV2, are presented. The data, collected in 1997 with the L3 detector, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 51.9 pb−1. Combining with the data taken at a centre-of-mass energy of 91 GeV, the evolution of Fγ2 with Q2 is measured in the Q2 range from 1.2 GeV2 to 30 GeV2. Fγ2 shows a linear growth with lnQ2; the value of the slope α−1dFγ2(Q2)/dlnQ2 is measured in two x bins from 0.01 to 0.2 and is somewhat higher than predicted.

We report on measurements of the triple-gauge-boson couplings of the W boson in e+e− collisions with the L3 detector at LEP. W-pair, single-W and single-photon events are analysed in a data sample corresponding to a total luminosity of 76.7 pb−1 collected at centre-of-mass energies between 161GeV and 183GeV. CP-conserving as well as both C- and P-conserving triple-gauge-boson couplings are determined. The results, in good agreement with the Standard-Model expectations, confirm the existence of the self coupling among the electroweak gauge bosons and constrain its structure.

We describe the sample of energetic single-photon events (Eγ > 15 GeV) collected by L3 in the 1991–1993 LEP runs. The event distributions agree with expectations from the Standard Model. The data are used to constrain the ZZγ coupling and to set an upper limit of 4.1 × 10−6, μB (90% C.L.) on the the magnetic moment of the τ neutrino.

The production of B∗ mesons in Z decays has been measured at LEP with the L3 detector. A sample of Z → bb events was obtained by tagging muons in 1.6 million hadronic Z decays collected in 1991, 1992 and 1993. A signal with a peak value of Eγ = 46.3 ± 1.9 (stat) MeV in the B rest frame energy spectrum was interpreted to come from the decay B∗ → γB. The inclusive production ratio of B∗ mesons relative to B mesons was determined from a fit to the spectrum to be NB∗(NB∗+ NB)= 0.76 ± 0.08 ± 0.06, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic.

We measure the masses, decay widths and relative production rate of orbitally excited B mesons using 1.25 million hadronic Z decays recorded by the L3 detector. B-meson candidates are inclusively reconstructed and combined with charged pions produced at the primary event vertex. An excess of events above the expected background in the B\pi mass spectrum in the region 5.6-5.8 GeV is interpreted as resulting from the decay B_u,d^** -> B^(*)\pi, where B_u,d^** denotes a mixture of l=1 B-meson states containing a u or a d quark. A fit to the mass spectrum yields the masses and decay widths of the B_1^* and B_2^* spin states, as well as the branching fraction for the combination of l=1 states. In addition, evidence is presented for the existence of an excited B-meson state or mixture of states in the region 5.9-6.0 GeV.

We report on the first measurements of e+e− annihilations into hadrons and lepton pairs at centre-of-mass energies between 130 GeV and 140 GeV. In a total luminosity of 5 pb−1 collected with the L3 detector at LEP we select 1577 hadronic and 401 lepton-pair events. The measured cross sections and leptonic forward-backward asymmetries agree well with the Standard Model predictions.

Bose-Einstein correlations in W-pair production at LEP are investigated in a data sample of 629 pb^-1 collected by the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies of 189-209 GeV. Bose-Einstein correlations between pions within a W decay are observed and found to be in good agreement with those in light-quark Z decay. No evidence is found for Bose-Einstein correlations between hadrons coming from different W's in the same event.

The BaBar experiment at PEPII relies on the instrumentation of the flux return (IFR) for both muon identification and KL detection. The active detector is composed of resistive plate chambers (RPCs) operated in streamer mode. Since the start of operation the RPCs have suffered persistent efficiency deterioration and dark current increase problems. The “autopsy” of bad BaBar RPCs revealed that in many cases uncured linseed oil droplets had formed on the inner surface of the Bakelite plates, leading to current paths from oil “stalagmites” bridging the 2 mm gap. In this paper, a possible model of this “stalagmite” formation and its effect on the dark current and efficiency of RPC chambers is presented. Laboratory test results strongly support this model. Based upon this model we are searching for solutions to eliminate the unfavorable effect of the oil stalagmites. The lab tests show that the stalagmite resistivity increases dramatically if exposed to the air, an observation that points to a possible way to remedy the damage and increase the efficiency. We have seen that flowing an oxygen gas mixture into the chamber helps to polymerize the uncured linseed oil. Consequently, the resistivity of the bridged oil stalagmites increases, as does that of the oil coating on the frame edges and spacers, significantly reducing the RPC dark currents and low-efficiency regions. We have tested this idea on two chambers removed from BaBar because of their low efficiency and high dark current. These test results are reported in the paper, and two other remediation methods also mentioned. We continue to study this problem, and try to find new treatments with permanent improvement.

The formation of reactive compounds in the gas mixture during Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) operation at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) is studied. Results from two different types of chambers are discussed: 50×50cm2 RPC prototypes and two final CMS-RB1 chambers. The RB1 detectors were also connected to a closed loop gas system. Gas composition and possible additional impurities have been monitored in different gamma irradiation conditions both in open and closed loop modes using a gas chromatograph. Dedicated measurements for fluoride concentration in the exhausted gas line were performed at different irradiations and operation conditions using a specific electrode and a High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph. The efficiency of the purifiers system present in the closed loop in removing the F- and others impurities has also been investigated. Finally, the chemical composition of the RPC electrode surface has been analyzed using an electron microscope equipped with an EDS/X-ray.

A determination of the number of light neutrino families performed by measuring the cross section of single photon production in e+e− collision near the Z resonance is reported. From an integrated luminosity of 100pb−1, collected during the years 1991–94, we have observed 2091 single photon candidates with an energy above 1 GeV in the polar angular region 45°<θγ<135°. From a maximum likelihood fit to the single photon cross section, the Z decay width into invisible particles is measured to be Γinv=498±12(stat)±12(sys)MeV. Using the Standard Model couplings of neutrinos to the Z, the number of light neutrino species is determined to be Nν=2.98±0.07(stat)±0.07(sys).

An analysis of single and multi-photon events with missing energy is performed using data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies around 183GeV, for a total of 55.3 pb−1 of integrated luminosity. The results obtained are in good agreement with the Standard Model prediction and are used to derive the value for the e+e−→νν̄γ(γ) cross section as well as upper limits on cross sections of new physics processes. Several interpretations in supersymmetric models providing new limits on the masses of the lightest neutralino and of the gravitino are presented.

Using the L3 detector, the branching ratio BR(b → πνX) has been measured using a sample of Z → bb events tagged by high momentum and high transverse momentum leptons in one hemisphere and with missing energy in the opposite hemisphere. From a sample of 948 000 hadronic events we find BR(b → πνX) = (2.4 ± 0.7 (stat.) ± 0.8 (syst.))%.

A search for rare charmless decays of Bd0 and Bs0 mesons has been performed in the exclusive channels Bd(s)0 →ηη, Bd(s)0 →ηπ0 and Bd(s)0 →π0π0. The data sample consisted of three million hadronic Z decays collected by the L3 experiment at LEP from 1991 through 1994. No candidate event has been observed and the following upper limits at 90% confidence level on the branching ratios have been set: Br(B()d→ηη) <4.1 x 10−4, Br(B()s→ηη) < 1.5 x 10−3, Br(B()d→ηφ()) < 2.5 x 10−4, Br(B()s→ηphi;()) < 1.0 x 10−3, Br(B()d→phi;()phi;()) < 6.0 x 10−5, Br(B()s→phi;()phi;()) < 2.1 x 10−4. These are the first experimental limits on Bd0→ηη and on the Bs0 neutral charmless modes.

We report on measurements of the mass and total decay width of the W boson with the L3 detector at LEP. W-pair events produced in $\mathrm{e^+e^-}$ interactions between 161 GeV and 183 GeV centre-of-mass energy are selected in a data sample corresponding to a total luminosity of 76.7 pb$^{-1}$. Combining all final states in W-pair production, the mass and total decay width of the W boson are determined to be $\mathrm{M_W}=80.61\pm0.15$ GeV and $\Gamma_{\mathrm{W}}=1.97\pm0.38$ GeV, respectively.

We present results obtained from a study of the structure of hadronic events recorded by the L3 detector at various centre-of-mass energies. The distributions of event shape variables and the energy dependence of their mean values are measured from 30GeV to 189GeV and compared with various QCD models. The energy dependence of the moments of event shape variables is used to test a power law ansatz for the non-perturbative component. We obtain a universal value of the non-perturbative parameter alpha_0 = 0.537 +/- 0.073. From a comparison with resummed O(alpha_s^2) QCD calculations, we determine the strong coupling constant at each of the selected energies. The measurements demonstrate the running of alpha_s as expected in QCD with a value of alpha_s(m_Z) = 0.1215 +/- 0.0012 (exp) +/- 0.0061 (th).

The structure functions of real and virtual photons are derived from cross section measurements of the reaction e+e−→e+e−+ hadrons at LEP. The reaction is studied at s≃91GeV with the L3 detector. One of the final state electrons is detected at a large angle relative to the beam direction, leading to Q2 values between 40 GeV2 and 500 GeV2. The other final state electron is either undetected or it is detected at a four-momentum transfer squared P2 between 1 GeV2 and 8 GeV2. These measurements are compared with predictions of the Quark Parton Model and other QCD based models.

Double-tag events in two-photon collisions are studied using the L3 detector at LEP centre-of-mass energies from s=189 GeV to 209 GeV. The cross sections of the e+e−→e+e−hadrons and γ∗γ∗→hadrons processes are measured as a function of the product of the photon virtualities, Q2=Q21Q22, of the two-photon mass, Wγγ, and of the variable Y=ln(W2γγ/Q2). The average photon virtuality is 〈Q21〉=〈Q22〉=16 GeV2. The results are in agreement with next-to-leading order calculations for the process γ∗γ∗→qq̄ in the interval 2⩽Y⩽5. An excess is observed in the interval 5<Y⩽7, corresponding to Wγγ greater than 40 GeV. This may be interpreted as a contribution of resolved photon QCD processes or the onset of BFKL phenomena.

A search for colour reconnection effects in hadronic decays of W pairs is performed with the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209 GeV. The analysis is based on the study of the particle flow between jets associated to the same W boson and between two different W bosons in qq̄qq̄ events. The ratio of particle yields in the different interjet regions is found to be sensitive to colour reconnection effects implemented in some hadronization models. The data are compared to different models with and without such effects. An extreme scenario of colour reconnection is ruled out.

The high-luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) will result in ten times higher particle background than measured during the first phase of LHC operation. In order to fully exploit the highly-demanding operating conditions during HL-LHC, the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration will use Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector technology. The technology will be integrated into the innermost region of the forward muon spectrometer of CMS as an additional muon station called GE1∕1. The primary purpose of this auxiliary station is to help in muon reconstruction and to control level-1 muon trigger rates in the pseudo-rapidity region 1.6≤|η|≤2.2. The new station will contain trapezoidal-shaped GEM detectors called GE1∕1 chambers. The design of these chambers is finalized, and the installation is in progress during the Long Shutdown phase two (LS-2) that started in 2019. Several full-size prototypes were built and operated successfully in various test beams at CERN. We describe performance measurements such as gain, efficiency, and time resolution of these prototype chambers, developed after years of R&D, and summarize their behavior in different gas compositions as a function of the applied voltage.

A search for single and multi-photon events with missing energy is performed using data collected at centre-of-mass energies between 161 GeV and 172 GeV for a total of 20.9 pb−1 of integrated luminosity. The results obtained are used to derive the value for the ννγ(γ) cross section as well as upper limits on new physics processes.

The two-photon width Γγγ of the ηc meson has been measured with the L3 detector at LEP. The ηc is studied in the decay modes π+π−π+π−, π+π−K+K−, K0sK±π∓, K+K−π0, π+π−η, π+π−η′, and ρ+ρ− using an integrated luminosity of 140 pb−1 at s≃91 GeV and of 52 pb−1 at s≃183 GeV. The result is Γγγ(ηc)=6.9±1.7stat±0.8sys±2.0(BR) keV. The Q2 dependence of the ηc cross section is studied for Q2<9 GeV2. It is found to be better described by a Vector Meson Dominance model form factor with a J-pole than with a ρ-pole. In addition, a signal of 29±11 events is observed at the χc0 mass. Upper limits for the two-photon widths of the χc0, χc2, and ηc′ are also given.

The pair production of Z bosons is studied using the data collected by the L3 detector at LEP in 1998 in e+e- collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV. All the visible final states are considered and the cross section of this process is measured to be 0.74 +0.15 -0.14 (stat.) +/- 0.04 (syst.) pb. Final states containing b quarks are enhanced by a dedicated selection and their production cross section is found to be 0.18 +0.09 -0.07 (stat.) +/- 0.02 (syst.) pb. Both results are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. Limits on anomalous couplings between neutral gauge bosons are derived from these measurements.

A study of resonance formation is presented in the π+π−π0 final state in two-photon collisions at LEP. The a2(1320) radiative width is measured to be Λγγ = 0.98 ± 0.05 ± 0.09 keV. The helicity 2 production is dominant. Exclusive π+π−π0 production has also been studied in the mass region above the a2 in the ϱπ and f2π channels. This region is dominated by a JP = 2+ helicity 2 wave.

Bhabha scattering data recorded at \sqrt{s}=189 GeV by the L3 detector at LEP are used to measure the running of the effective fine-structure constant for spacelike momentum transfers. The results are alpha^-1(-2.1 GeV^2) - alpha^-1(-6.25 GeV^2) = 0.78 +/- 0.26 alpha^-1(-12.25 GeV^2) - alpha^-1(-3434 GeV^2) = 3.80 +/- 1.29, in agreement with theoretical predictions.

Two-photon formation of the charmonium resonance χc2 has been studied with the L3 detector at LEP. The χc2 is identified through its decay χc2→γJ/ψ, with a subsequent decay J/ψ→e+e− or J/ψ→μ+μ−. With an integrated luminosity of 140 pb−1 at s≃ 91 GeV and 52 pb−1 at s≃ 183 GeV, we measure the two-photon width of the χc2 to be Γγγ(χc2)=1.02±0.40(stat.)±0.15(sys.)±0.09(BR.)keV.

A study of neutral-current four-fermion processes is performed using a data sample corresponding to 55.3 pb−1 of integrated luminosity collected by the L3 detector at LEP at an average centre-of-mass energy of 183 GeV. The neutral-current four-fermion cross sections for final states with a pair of charged leptons plus jets and with four charged leptons are measured to be consistent with the Standard Model predictions. Events with fermion pair masses close to the Z boson mass are selected in all observable final states and the ZZ production cross section is measured to be σZZ=0.30+0.22+0.07−0.16−0.03 pb, in agreement with the Standard Model expectation. No evidence for the existence of anomalous triple gauge boson ZZZ and ZZγ couplings is found and limits on these couplings are set.

Using the data collected by the L3 experiment at LEP from 1991 to 1995 at energies around the Z mass, a measurement of the weak anomalous magnetic dipole moment, awτ, and of the weak electric dipole moment, dwτ, of the τ lepton is performed. These quantities are obtained from angular distributions in e+e−→τ+τ−→h+ν̄τh−ντ, where h is a π or a ρ. The results are: Re(awτ)=(0.0±1.6±2.3)×10−3, Im(awτ)=(−1.0±3.6±4.3)×10−3 and Re(dwτ)=(−0.44±0.88±1.33)×10−17e·cm. This is the first direct measurement of awτ.

A search for pair-produced charged Higgs bosons is performed with the L3 detector at LEP using data collected at centre-of-mass energies between 192 and 202 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 233.2 pb−1. Decays into a charm and a strange quark or into a tau lepton and its neutrino are considered. The observed events are consistent with the expectations from Standard Model background processes. Including data taken at lower centre-of-mass energies, lower limits on the charged Higgs mass are derived at the 95% confidence level. They vary from 67.4 to 79.9 GeV as a function of the H±→τν branching ratio.

The tau lepton lifetime is measured with the L3 detector at LEP using the complete data taken at centre-of-mass energies around the Z pole resulting in tau_tau = 293.2 +/- 2.0 (stat) +/- 1.5 (syst) fs. The comparison of this result with the muon lifetime supports lepton universality of the weak charged current at the level of six per mille. Assuming lepton universality, the value of the strong coupling constant, alpha_s is found to be alpha_s(m_tau^2) = 0.319 +/- 0.015(exp.) +/- 0.014 (theory).

Bose-Einstein correlations of both neutral and like-sign charged pion pairs are measured in a sample of 2 million hadronic Z decays collected with the L3 detector at LEP. The analysis is performed in the four-momentum difference range 300 MeV < Q < 2 GeV. The radius of the neutral pion source is found to be smaller than that of charged pions. This result is in qualitative agreement with the string fragmentation model.

The cross section of the process e^+ e^- -> Z \gamma\gamma -> qq \gamma \gamma is measured with 215 pb^-1 of data collected with the L3 detector during the final LEP run at centre-of-mass energies around 205 GeV and 207 GeV. No deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed. The full data sample of 713 pb^-1, collected above the Z resonance, is used to constrain the coefficients of anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings to: -0.02 GeV^-2 < a_0/\Lambda^2 < 0.03 GeV^-2 and -0.07 GeV^-2 < a_c/\Lambda^2 < 0.05 GeV^-2, at 95% confidence level.

Events stemming from the pair-production of Z bosons in e^+e^- collisions are studied using 217.4 pb^-1 of data collected with the L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies from 200 GeV up to 209 GeV. The special case of events with b quarks is also investigated. Combining these events with those collected at lower centre-of-mass energies, the Standard Model predictions for the production mechanism are verified. In addition, limits are set on anomalous couplings of neutral gauge bosons and on effects of extra space dimensions.

A flavour independent search for the CP-even and CP-odd neutral Higgs bosons h and A is performed in 624/pb of data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 189 and 209GeV. Higgs boson production through the e^+e^- -> Z h and the e^+e^- ->h A processes is considered and decays of the Higgs bosons into hadrons are studied. No significant signal is observed and 95% confidence level limits on the hZZ and hAZ couplings are derived as a function of the Higgs boson masses. Assuming the Standard Model cross section for the Higgs-strahlung process and a 100% branching fraction into hadrons, a 95% confidence level lower limit on the mass of the Higgs boson is set at 110.3GeV.

The three different helicity states of W bosons produced in the reaction e+ e- -> W+ W- -> l nu q q~ at LEP are studied using leptonic and hadronic W decays. Data at centre-of-mass energies \sqrt s = 183-209 GeV are used to measure the polarisation of W bosons, and its dependence on the W boson production angle. The fraction of longitudinally polarised W bosons is measured to be 0.218 \pm 0.027 \pm 0.016 where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, in agreement with the Standard Model expectation.

A Higgs particle produced in association with a Z boson and decaying into weak boson pairs is searched for in 336.4 1/pb of data collected by the L3 experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies from 200 to 209 GeV. Limits on the branching fraction of the Higgs boson decay into two weak bosons as a function of the Higgs mass are derived. These results are combined with the L3 search for a Higgs boson decaying to photon pairs. A Higgs produced with a Standard Model e+e- --> Zh cross section and decaying only into electroweak boson pairs is excluded at 95% CL for a mass below 107 GeV.

Hadron production and lepton-pair production in e+e- collisions are studied with data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies sqrt{s}=192-208GeV. Using a total integrated luminosity of 453/pb, 36057 hadronic events and 12863 lepton-pair events are selected. The cross sections for hadron production and lepton-pair production are measured for the full sample and for events where no high-energy initial-state-radiation photon is emitted prior to the collisions. Lepton-pair events are further investigated and forward-backward asymmetries are measured. Finally, the differential cross sections for electron-positron pair-production is determined as a function of the scattering angle. An overall good agreement is found with Standard Model predictions.

We search for anomalous ZZγ and Zγγ couplings with the L3 detector at LEP. The analysis is based on the study of the process e+e+→Zγ at center-of-mass energies in the range 161GeV<s<183GeV. No evidence for anomalous effects is found. Limits at the 95% confidence level are set on the values of the eight possible anomalous couplings. Depending on the type of coupling new physics scales below 213 GeV to 1083 GeV are excluded.

A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson is carried out on 176.4pb−1 of data collected by the L3 detector at a center-of-mass energy of 189 GeV. The data are consistent with the expectations of Standard Model processes and no evidence of a Higgs signal is observed. Combining the results of this search with those at lower center-of-mass energies, a lower limit on the mass of the Standard Model Higgs boson of 95.3 GeV is set at the 95% confidence level.

We report on the observation of single W boson production in a data sample collected by the L3 detector at LEP2. The signal consists of large missing energy final states with a single energetic lepton or two hadronic jets. The cross-section is measured to be 0.61−0.33+0.43 ± 0.05 pb at the centre of mass energy s = 172 GeV, consistent with the Standard Model expectation. From this measurement the following limits on the anomalo γWW gauge couplingsare derived at 95% CL: −3.6 < Δκγ < 1.5 and −3.6 < λγ < 3.6.

We report on the measurement of W-boson pair-production with the L3 detector at LEP. In a data sample corresponding to a total luminosity of 55.47 pb−1 collected at an average centre-of-mass energy of 182.68GeV, we select 824 four-fermion events with pairs of hadronic jets or pairs of leptons with high invariant masses. Branching fractions of W decays into different fermion-antifermion pairs are determined. Assuming charged-current lepton universality, the branching fraction for hadronic W decays is measured to be: B(W→hadrons)=70.1±1.3(stat.)±0.4(syst.)%. Combining all final states the total cross section for W-pair production is measured to be: σWW=16.53±0.67(stat.)±0.26(syst.) pb.

Excited leptons are searched for using the L3 detector at LEP. The data collected at centre-of-mass energies in the range from 192 up to 202 GeV correspond to a total luminosity of 233 pb−1. No evidence of either pair production of excited leptons, nor of single production is found. From the searches for pair produced excited leptons, lower mass limits close to the kinematic limit are set. From the searches for singly produced excited leptons, upper limits on their couplings are derived in the mass range up to 200 GeV.