arXiv subjects

ZEUS Collaboration

Publications and source records attributed to ZEUS Collaboration.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Measurement of the neutral current cross section and F2 structure function for deep inelastic e+p scattering at HERA

The cross section and the proton structure function F2 for neutral current deep inelastic e+p scattering have been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 30 pb-1. The data were collected in 1996 and 1997 at a centre-of-mass energy of 300 GeV. They cover the kinematic range 2.7 < Q^2 < 30000 GeV2 and 6.10^-5 < x < 0.65. The variation of F2 with x and Q2 is well described by next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD as implemented in the DGLAP evolution equations.

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arXiv2001

Three-jet production in diffractive deep inelastic scattering at HERA

Three-jet production in the reaction ep --> eXp has been studied with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 42.74 pb^-1. The data were measured in the kinematic region 5 < Q^2 < 100 GeV^2, 200 < W < 250 GeV and 23 < M_X < 40 GeV. The diffractive signal was selected by requiring a large rapidity gap in the outgoing proton direction. Jets were reconstructed in the centre-of-mass system of X using the exclusive k_T-algorithm. A sample of three-jet events in diffraction has been identified. Differential cross sections were measured as a function of the jet pseudorapidity and jet transverse momentum with respect to the virtual photon-Pomeron axis. The jets going in the Pomeron direction are broader than those going in the virtual-photon direction. This is consistent with models predicting that gluons are predominantly produced in the Pomeron direction and quarks in the virtual-photon direction.

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arXiv2001

Searches for New Physics at HERA

Recent results from searches for new physics at HERA are reviewed. Exploiting the uniqueness of lepton-hadron collisions at high energy, searches are performed for electron-quark resonant states (leptoquarks or squarks in R-parity-violating supersymmetry) or excited states of fermions. New phenomena at a very high energy scale, manifested at present energies as effective four-fermion contact interaction, are also investigated, including cases with lepton-flavor violation. Finally, the status of events with a high-energy lepton and missing transverse momentum is presented, resulting in the most stringent constraint on the flavor-changing neutral current t-u-γcoupling which could yield single-top production.

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arXiv2001

Diffractive structure functions from HERA

Recent results on diffraction at HERA are presented, focusing on the measurement of the inclusive diffractive cross section and on the study of two and three jets in diffractive ep scattering.

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arXiv2001

Study of the effective transverse momentum of partons in the proton using prompt photons in photoproduction at HERA

The photoproduction of prompt photons, together with an accompanying jet, has been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 38.6 pb^{-1}. A study of the effective transverse momentum, k_T, of partons in the proton, as modelled within the framework of the PYTHIA Monte Carlo, gives a value of k_T = 1.69+/-0.18 ^{+0.18}_{-0.20} GeV for the photon-proton centre-of-mass energy range 134 < W < 251 GeV. This result is in agreement with the previously observed trend in hadron-hadron scattering for k_T to rise with interaction energy.

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arXiv2001

Multiplicity moments in deep inelastic scattering at HERA

Multiplicity moments of charged particles in deep inelastic E+P scattering have been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 38.4 pb^{-1}$. The moments for Q^2 > 1000 GeV^2 were studied in the current region of the Breit frame. The evolution of the moments was investigated as a function of restricted regions in polar angle and, for the first time, both in the transverse momentum and in absolute momentum of final-state particles. Analytic perturbative QCD predictions in conjunction with the hypothesis of Local Parton-Hadron Duality (LPHD) reproduce the trends of the moments in polar-angle regions, although some discrepancies are observed. For the moments restricted either in transverse or absolute momentum, the analytic results combined with the LPHD hypothesis show considerable deviations from the measurements. The study indicates a large influence of the hadronisation stage on the multiplicity distributions in the restricted phase-space regions studied here, which is inconsistent with the expectations of the LPHD hypothesis.

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arXiv2001

Measurement of dijet production in neutral current deep inelastic scattering at high Q**2 and determination of alpha_s

Dijet production has been studied in neutral current deep inelastic e+p scattering for 470 < Q**2 < 20000 GeV**2 with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 38.4 pb**{-1}. Dijet differential cross sections are presented in a kinematic region where both theoretical and experimental uncertainties are small. Next-to-leading-order (NLO) QCD calculations describe the measured differential cross sections well. A QCD analysis of the measured dijet fraction as a function of Q**2 allows both a precise determination of alpha_s(M_Z) and a test of the energy-scale dependence of the strong coupling constant. A detailed analysis provides an improved estimate of the uncertainties of the NLO QCD cross sections arising from the parton distribution functions of the proton. The value of alpha_s(M_Z), as determined from the QCD fit, is alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.1166 +- 0.0019 (stat.) {+ 0.0024}_{-0.0033} (exp.)} {+ 0.0057}_{- 0.0044} (th.).

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arXiv2000

Measurement of dijet cross sections for events with a leading neutron in photoproduction at HERA

Differential cross sections for dijet photoproduction in association with a leading neutron using the reaction e^+ + p --> e^+ + n + jet + jet + X_r have been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 6.4 pb^{-1}. The fraction of dijet events with a leading neutron in the final state was studied as a function of the jet kinematic variables. The cross sections were measured for jet transverse energies E^{jet}_T > 6 GeV, neutron energy E_n > 400 GeV, and neutron production angle theta_n < 0.8 mrad. The data are broadly consistent with factorization of the lepton and hadron vertices and with a simple one-pion-exchange model.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of open beauty production in photoproduction at HERA

The production and semi-leptonic decay of heavy quarks have been studied in the photoproduction process $e^+p -> e^+ + {dijet} + e^- + X with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 38.5 ${\rm pb^{-1}}$. Events with photon-proton centre-of-mass energies, $W_{γp}$, between 134 and 269 GeV and a photon virtuality, Q^2, less than 1 ${\rm GeV^2}$ were selected requiring at least two jets of transverse energy $E_T^{\rm jet1(2)} >7(6)$ GeV and an electron in the final state. The electrons were identified by employing the ionisation energy loss measurement. The contribution of beauty quarks was determined using the transverse momentum of the electron relative to the axis of the closest jet, $p_T^{\rm rel}$. The data, after background subtraction, were fit with a Monte Carlo simulation including beauty and charm decays. The measured beauty cross section was extrapolated to the parton level with the b quark restricted to the region of transverse momentum $p_T^{b} > p_T^{\rm min} =$ 5 GeV and pseudorapidity $|η^{b}| <$ 2. The extrapolated cross section is $1.6 \pm 0.4 (stat.)^{+0.3}_{-0.5} (syst.) ^{+0.2}_{-0.4} (ext.) {nb}$. The result is compared to a perturbative QCD calculation performed to next-to-leading order.

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arXiv2000

A search for resonance decays to antineutrino-jet in e^+p scattering at HERA

A study of the antineutrino-jet mass spectrum in e^+p -> antineutrino+X events at center-of-mass energy 300 GeV has been performed with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 47.7 pb^-1. The mass spectrum is in good agreement with that expected from Standard Model processes over the antineutrino -jet mass range studied. No significant excess attributable to the decay of a narrow resonance is observed. By using both e^+p -> e^+ X and e^+p -> antineutrino X data, mass-dependent limits are set on the s-channel production of scalar and vector resonant states. Couplings to first-generation quarks are considered and limits are presented as a function of the e^+q and antineutrino-q branching ratios. These limits are used to constrain the production of leptoquarks and R-parity violating squarks.

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arXiv2000

Search for Resonances Decaying to e^+ jet in e^+ p Interactions at HERA

The e^+ jet invariant mass spectrum produced in the reaction e^+ p -> e^+ X has been studied at a center-of-mass energy of 300 GeV. The data were collected using the ZEUS detector operating at the HERA collider, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 47.7 pb^{-1}. The observed mass spectrum is in good agreement with Standard Model expectations up to an e^+ jet mass of 210 GeV. Above this mass, some excess is seen. The angular distribution of these events is typical of high-Q^2 neutral current events and does not give convincing evidence for the presence of a narrow scalar or vector state. Limits are presented on the product of cross section and branching ratio for such a state and are interpreted as limits on leptoquark or R-parity-violating squark production. Specific leptoquark types are ruled out at 95% confidence level for coupling strength lambda=0.3 for masses between 150 and 280 GeV.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of the Proton Structure Function F_2 at Very Low Q^2 at HERA

A measurement of the proton structure function F_2(x,Q^2) is presented in the kinematic range 0.045 GeV^2 < Q^2 < 0.65 GeV^2 and 6*10^{-7} < x < 1*10^{-3}. The results were obtained using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.9pb^-1 in e^+p reactions recorded with the ZEUS detector at HERA. Information from a silicon-strip tracking detector, installed in front of the small electromagnetic calorimeter used to measure the energy of the final-state positron at small scattering angles, together with an enhanced simulation of the hadronic final state, has permitted the extension of the kinematic range beyond that of previous measurements. The uncertainties in F_2 are typically less than 4%. At the low Q^2 values of the present measurement, the rise of F_2 at low x is slower than observed in HERA data at higher Q^2 and can be described by Regge theory with a constant logarithmic slope. The dependence of F_2 on Q^2 is stronger than at higher Q^2 values, approaching, at the lowest Q^2 values of this measurement, a region where F_2 becomes nearly proportional to Q^2.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of exclusive omega electroproduction at HERA

The exclusive electroproduction of omega mesons, ep -> e omega p, has been studied in the kinematic range 3 pi^+pi^-pi^0. The exclusive (ep -> e omega p) cross section in the above kinematic region is 0.108 +- 0.014(stat.) +- 0.026(syst.) nb. The reaction ep -> e phi p, phi -> pi^+pi^-pi^0, has also been measured. The cross sections, as well as the cross-section ratios omega/rho and omega/phi, are presented as a function of W and Q^2. Thus, for the first time, the properties of omega electroproduction can be compared to those of rho^0, phi and J/psi electroproduction at high W.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of D*+- production and the charm contribution to F_2 in deep inelastic scattering at HERA

The production of D*+-(2010) mesons in deep inelastic scattering has been measured in the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 37 pb^-1. The decay channels D*+ -> D0 pi+(+c.c.), with D0 -> K- pi+ or D0 ->K- pi- pi+ pi+, have been used to identify the D mesons. The e+p cross section for inclusive D*+- production with 1<Q^2<600 GeV^2 and 0.02<y<0.7 is 8.31 +- 0.31(stat.) +0.30-0.50(syst.) nb in the kinematic region 1.5< pT(D*+-)<15 GeV and |eta(D*+-)|<1.5. Differential cross sections are consistent with a next-to-leading-order perturbative-QCD calculation when using charm-fragmentation models which take into account the interaction of the charm quark with the proton remnant. The observed cross section is extrapolated to the full kinematic region in pT(D*+-) and eta(D*+-) in order to determine the charm contribution, F^ccbar_2(x,Q^2), to the proton structure function. The ratio F^ccbar_2/F_2 rises from ~10% at Q^2 ~1.8 GeV^2 to ~30% at Q^2 ~130 GeV^2 for x values in the range 10^-4 to 10-3.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of Azimuthal Asymmetries in Deep Inelastic Scattering

The distribution of the azimuthal angle for the charged hadrons has been studied in the hadronic centre-of-mass system for neutral current deep inelastic positron-proton scattering with the ZEUS detector at HERA. Measurements of the dependence of the moments of this distribution on the transverse momenta of the charged hadrons are presented. Asymmetries that can be unambiguously attributed to perturbative QCD processes have been observed for the first time.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of Inclusive Ds+- Photoproduction at HERA

The first measurement of inclusive Ds+- photoproduction at HERA has been performed with the ZEUS detector for photon-proton centre-of-mass energies 130 < W < 280 GeV. The measured cross section for 3 < pt(Ds) < 12 GeV and |eta(Ds)|< 1.5 is sigma(ep -> Ds X) = 3.79 +- 0.59 (stat.) +0.26-0.46 (syst.) +- 0.94 (br.) nb, where the last error arises from the uncertainty in the Ds decay branching ratio. The measurements are compared with inclusive D*+- photoproduction cross sections in the same kinematic region and with QCD calculations. The Ds cross sections lie above a fixed-order next-to-leading order calculation and agree better with a tree-level O(alpha,alpha_s^3) calculation that was tuned to describe the ZEUS D* cross sections. The ratio of Ds+- to D*+- cross sections is 0.41 +- 0.07 (stat.) +0.03-0.05 (syst.) +- 0.10 (br.). From this ratio, the strangeness-suppression factor in charm photoproduction, within the LUND string fragmentation model, has been calculated to be gamma_s = 0.27 +- 0.05 +- 0.07 (br.). The cross-section ratio and gamma_s are in good agreement with those obtained in charm production in e+e- annihilation.

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arXiv2000

The Q^2 Dependence of Dijet Cross Sections in gamma p Interactions at HERA

The dependence of the photon structure on the photon virtuality, Q^2, is studied by measuring the reaction e^+p\to e^+ + {\rm jet} + {\rm jet} + {\rm X} at photon-proton centre-of-mass energies 134 < W < 223 GeV. Events have been selected in the Q^2 ranges \approx 0 GeV^2, 0.1-0.55 GeV^2, and 1.5-4.5 GeV^2, having two jets with transverse energy E_T^{jet} > 5.5 GeV in the final state. The dijet cross section has been measured as a function of the fractional momentum of the photon participating in the hard process, x_gamma. The ratio of the dijet cross section with x_gamma < 0.75 to that with x_gamma > 0.75 decreases as Q^2 increases. The data are compared with the predictions of NLO pQCD and leading-order Monte Carlo programs using various parton distribution functions of the photon. The measurements can be interpreted in terms of a resolved photon component that falls with Q^2 but remains present at values of Q^2 up to 4.5 GeV^2. However, none of the models considered gives a good description of the data.

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arXiv2000

Search for Contact Interactions in Deep Inelastic e^+p->e^+X Scattering at HERA

In a search for signatures of physics processes beyond the Standard Model, various eeqq vector contact-interaction hypotheses have been tested using the high-Q^2, deep inelastic neutral-current e^+p scattering data collected with the ZEUS detector at HERA. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 47.7pb-1 of e^+p interactions at 300GeV center-of-mass energy. No significant evidence of a contact-interaction signal has been found. Limits at the 95% confidence level are set on the contact-interaction amplitudes. The effective mass scales Lambda corresponding to these limits range from 1.7TeV to 5TeV for the contact-interaction scenarios considered.

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