An assumption required to reproduce inclusive hadronic cross section data

TL;DR

This paper questions a long-standing assumption in Standard Model calculations that neglects flavor interference effects between different quark flavor production channels in inclusive hadronic cross section data from high-energy electron-positron collisions.

Contribution

It critically examines the assumption of no flavor interference in Standard Model calculations of inclusive hadronic cross sections.

Findings

Questions the validity of the no-flavor-interference assumption

Highlights potential impact on the accuracy of cross section calculations

Suggests the need for revised theoretical models

Abstract

For 50 years, Standard Model calculations have successfully reproduced inclusive hadronic cross section data from high-energy $e^+e^-$ collisions. However, these calculations have always assumed that there is no ``flavor interference'' between $e^+e^-\to u\bar{u}\to X$ and $e^+e^-\to d\bar{d}\to X$ events (where $X$ is the same hadronic state). That assumption is questioned.