L. Di Lella

Observation of single isolated electrons of high transverse momentum in events with missing transverse energy at the CERN pp collider

Abstract We report the results of a search for single isolated electrons of high transverse momentum at the CERN p p collider. Above 15 GeV/c, four events are found having large missing transverse energy along a direction opposite in azimuth to that of the high-pT electron. Both the configuration of the events and their number are consistent with the expectations from the process p + p → W ± + anything , with W→e+ν, where W± is the charged Intermediate Vector Boso postulated by the unified electroweak theory.

Evidence for Z0→e+e− at the CERN p collider

Abstract From a search for electron pairs produced in p p collisions at s = 550 GeV we report the observation of eight events which we interpret as resulting from the process p +p→Z 0 + anything, followed by the decay Z0→e++e− or Z0→e++e−+γ, where Z0 is the neutral Intermediate Vector Boson postulated by the unified electroweak theory. We use four of these events to measure the Z0 mass M Z = 91.9 ± 1.3 ± 1.4 (systematic) GeV /c 2 .

An improved limit on the axion–photon coupling from the CAST experiment

We have searched for solar axions or similar particles that couple to two photons by using the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) setup with improved conditions in all detectors. From the absence of excess X-rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun, we set an upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of 8.8 x 10^{-11} GeV^{-1} at 95% CL for m_a<~ 0.02 eV. This result is the best experimental limit over a broad range of axion masses and for m_a<~ 0.02 eV also supersedes the previous limit derived from energy-loss arguments on globular-cluster stars.

Observation of very large transverse momentum jets at the CERN pp collider

The distribution of total tranverse energy ΣET over the pseudorapidity interval −1 < η < 1 and an azimuthal range Δφ=300° has been measured in the UA2 experiment at the CERN pp collider (s = 540 GeV) using a highly segmented total absorption caloriter. In the events with very large ΣET (ΣET⪆60 GeV) most of the transverse energy is found to be contained in small angular regions as expected for high transverse momentum hadron jets. We discuss the properties of a sample of two-jet events with invariant two-jet masses up to 140 GeVc2 and we measure the cross section for inclusive jet production in the range of jet transverse momenta between 15 and 60 GeVc.

Observation of πo mesons with large transverse momentum in high-energy proton-proton collisions

Abstract Invariant cross-sections are presented for the inclusive reaction p + p → π o + anything, Measurements of large transverse momentum π o s (2.5 GeV/ c p ⊥ c ) were made near 90° at the CERN ISR at five centre-of-mass energies (√ s = 23.5, 30.6, 44.8, 52.7 and 62.4 GeV. At large p ⊥ , the invariant cross-sections are seem to vary with s and p ⊥ , in good agreement with a fit of the form Ap ⊥ − n F ( p ⊥ /√ s ), with n ≈8 and F ( p ⊥ /√ s )≈ exp (−26 p ⊥ /√ s ).

A Study of Inclusive Spectra and Two Particle Correlations at Large Transverse Momentum

Abstract The inclusive production of π and η mesons at 90° from proton-proton collisions has been measured at the CERN ISR at centre-of-mass energies between 23.5 and 62.4 GeV. The momentum correlation of charged particles emitted together with a large transverse momentum pion has also been studied, using two magnetic spectrometers each centred at 90°.

The central calorimeter of the UA2 experiment at the CERN pp collider

Abstract The highly segmented electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeter of the UA2 experiment has been successfully operated at the CERN p p Collider for more than 3 years. The mechanical design and construction technique of the calorimeter as well as its performance and stability in test beams and at the p p Collider are described in detail.

Measurement of the polarization parameter in π±p, K±p, pp, and p̄p elastic scattering at 6 GeV/c

Abstract Experimental results are presented for the polarization parameter P 0 in π ± p , K ± p , pp, and p p elastic scattering at 6 GeV/ c , and in the range of the invariant four-momentum transfer squared − t from 0.05 to ∼ 2.0 (GeV/ c ) 2 .

Observation of Electrons Produced in Association with Hard Jets and Large Missing Transverse Momentum in p anti-p Collisions at s**(1/2) = 540-GeV

Abstract Using a sample of events collected by UA2 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 116 nb −1 . we have searched for electron-“neutrino” pairs in which the transverse momenta of the electron and of the “neutrino” exceed 15 GeV/c and 25 GeV/c respectively. A total of 35 events are observed in low background conditions. Most events can be interpreted in terms of W ± production from QCD processes. Events in which the observation of hard jets makes this interpretation unlikely are described in detail. Possible sources of background contamination are considered.

MEASUREMENT OF THE STANDARD MODEL PARAMETERS FROM A STUDY OF W AND Z BOSONS

Abstract A study has been made of the decays W → ev and Z → e + e − , using the UA2 detector at the CERN pp Collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 142 nb −1 at a centre-of-mass collision energy √ s =546 GeV, and 768 nb −1 at √ s =630 GeV. Measurements of the standard model parameters from samples of 251 W decay and 39 Z decay candidates are compared with expectations of the standard electroweak model.