V. Bertin

Heavy flavour production in Z decays

Abstract From an analysis of inclusive leptons in data collected by the ALEPH detector at LEP, we measure the fractions of b b and c c events in hadronic Z decays. The b b fraction times semileptonic branching ratio is measured to be Br ( b → e )·Γ b b /Γ had = 0.0224 ± 0.0016 ± 0.0010 . Assuming a b semileptonic branching ratio of 0.102 ± 0.010 gives Γ b b /Γ had = 0.220 ± 0.016 ± 0.024 , in good agreement with the standard model prediction of 0.217. The c c fraction times semileptonic branching ratio is measured to be Br ( c → e )·Γ c c /Γ had = 0.0133 ± 0.0040 −0.0031 +0.0038 . Assuming a c semileptonic branching ratio of 0.090 ± 0.013 gives Γ c c /Γ had = 0.148 ± 0.044 −0.038 +0.045 , in agreement with the standard model prediction of 0.171.

A precise determination of the number of families with light neutrinos and of the Z boson partial widths

More extensive and precise results are reported on the parameters of Z decay. On the basis of 20 000 Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP we find Mz=91.182±0.026 (exp.) ±0.030 (beam) GeV, Γz=2.541±0.056 GeV and σhad0=41.4±0.8 nb. The partial widths for the hadronic and leptonic channels are Γhad=1804±44 MeV, Γe+e−=82.1±3.4 MeV, Γμ+μ−=87.9±6.0 MeV and Γτ+τ−=86.1±5.6 MeV, in good agreement with the standard model. On the basis of the average leptonic width Γl+l−=83.9±2.2 MeV, the effective weak mixing angle is found to be sin2θw(Mz)=0.231±0.008. Usin g the partial widths calculated in the standard model, the number of light neutrino families is Nν=3.01±0.15 (exp.)±0.05 (theor.).

Search for the neutral Higgs Boson from Z0 decay in the Higgs mass range between 11 and 24 GeV

Abstract A search for the neutral Higgs boson in the mass range above 11 GeV (above the H 0 →b b threshold), using the process Z0→H0e+e−, Z0→H0μ+μ− and Z 0 → H 0 v v , is performed on data collected by the ALEPH detector corresponding to about 25 000 events of Z0→ hadrons. Combining all these processes, the mass range excluded is 11 GeV at 95% CL. Together with a previously published result from ALEPH, the mass range excluded is 32 MeV to 24 GeV at 95% CL. This result also extends the excluded mass region for neutral Higgs bosons from supersymmetry.

Measurement of the charged particle multiplicity distribution in hadronic Z decays

The charged particle multiplicity distribution of hadronic Z decays was measured on the peak of the Z resonance using the ALEPH detector at LEP. Using a model independent unfolding procedure the distribution was found to have a mean 〈n〉=20.85±0.24 and a dispersion D=6.34±0.12. Comparison with lower energy data supports the KNO scaling hypothesis in the energy range GeV. At GeV the shape of the multiplicity distribution is well described by a log-normal distribution, as predicted from a cascading model for multi-particle production. The same model also successfully describes the energy dependence of the mean and width of the multiplicity distribution. A next-to-leading order QCD prediction in the framework of the modified leading-log approximation and local parton-hadron duality is found to fit the energy dependence of the mean but not the width of the charged multiplicity distribution, indicating that the width of the multiplicity distribution is a sensitive probe for higher order QCD or non-perturbative effects.

SEARCHES FOR THE STANDARD HIGGS BOSON

Abstract A data sample corresponding to about 100 000 hadronic Z decays collected by ALEPH at LEP has been used to search for the standard Higgs boson produced in the reaction e + e − → H 0 Z 0∗ . No indication for any signal was found, and a 95% CL lower limit on the Higgs boson mass has been set at 41.6 GeV.

Search For Neutral Higgs Bosons From Supersymmetry In Z-decays

The light scalar Higgs boson h and the pseudoscalar Higgs boson A of the minimal supersymmetric standard model have been searched for in the processes e+e−→hff and e+e−→hA using data collected by ALEPH at the LEP e+e− collider, with center of mass energies at and near the Z peak. Using a variety of signatures adapted to various mass ranges for h and A, we have excluded a large domain in the parameter space. For large values of ν2ν1, the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs fields, the whole range from 0 to 38.8 GeV is excluded for Mh and MA at 95% CL.

Search for the neutral Higgs bosons of the MSSM and other two-doublet models

The aim of this paper is to present the French approach to Information and Communication, and to sketch out some arguments pro and con for their amalgamation into a unique scientific body. Since its creation in 1975, the French academic field of Information-Communication has proved several advantages in the development of a new scientific corpus, but also some drawbacks. These are going to be reviewed and the question will be posed on the opportunity to generalize that model or to abandon it. The research concludes that a dichotomy between information and communication is certainly not representative of the French field of information and communication; it would rather be a continuum or a multi-polar space. Furthermore it is suspected that Anglo-Saxon separation of information science from communication science is not clear either. International comparison and research program in information – communication are advocated.

Search for a very light Higgs boson in Z decays

A search has been made for a very light Higgs boson in the processes e+e- → e+e-H and e+e- →μ+μ-H using data collected by ALEPH at the LEP e+e- collider at centre of mass energies close to the Z peak. The mass range between 0 and 57 MeV is unambigously excluded at the 95% confidence level. If we combine this with our previously published analysis, the complete range from 0 to 24 GeV is excluded at 95% CL. The search is extended to light Higgs bosons of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, with the result that all possibilities of coupling are excluded for Higgs masses below 3 GeV.

Search for neutralino production in Z decays

Limits on Z decay branching ratios into neutralinos are reported. They were obtained from searches for monojets, acoplanar jets, acoplanar lepton pairs, single photons and acoplanar photon pairs as signaturs for the reactions e+e- → χχ′ and e+e- → χχ′, where χ is the lightest neutralino and χ′ any heavier one. The data sample used for these searches corresponds to about 23 000 events of Z decay into multihadrons, collected at LEP by the ALEPH detector for centre of mass energies at and near the Z peak. The results obtained are used to restrict the parameter space of the minimal supersymmetric standard model.

Production and decay of charmed mesons at the Z resonance

In a sample of 190 000 hadronic Z decays, three signals of charm production are observed: two from the exclusive decays and one in the transverse-momentum distribution of soft hadrons relative to the nearest jet. The features of these signals are in good agreement with expectations based on the standard model and previous measurements of the branching fractions. The number of per hadronic decay of the Z is measured to be (5.11±0.34) × 10−3, and the branching ratio B(D0 → K−π+) is (3.62 ± 0.34 ± 0.44)%. Charm hadronization has been studied. The average fraction of the beam energy carried by the D∗ meson is found to be 〈XE〉c = 0.504−0.017+0.013±0.008, and implications of the measurements on the pseudoscalar-to-vector production ratio of charmed mesons are discussed.