Tests of Quantum Chromo Dynamics at e^+e^- Colliders

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental tests of Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) at e^+e^- colliders, comparing data from multiple experiments with theoretical predictions, and discusses measurements of the strong coupling constant and the gauge structure of QCD.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental results from various e^+e^- colliders testing QCD, including new data and improved calculations, and summarizes determinations of the strong coupling constant.

Findings

Agreement between experimental data and perturbative QCD predictions

Precise measurements of the strong coupling constant alpha_S(M_Z)

Insights into the gauge structure of QCD

Abstract

The current status of tests of the theory of strong interactions, Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD), with data from hadron production in e^+e^- annihilation experiments is reviewed. The LEP experiments ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL have published many analyses with data recorded on the Z^0 resonance at sqrt(s)=91.2 GeV and above up to sqrt(s)>200 GeV. There are also results from SLD at sqrt(s)=91.2 GeV and from reanalysis of data recorded by the JADE experiment at 14<sqrt(s)<44 GeV. The results of studies of jet and event shape observables, of particle production and of quark gluon jet differences are compared with predictions by perturbative QCD calculations. Determinations of the strong coupling constant alpha_S(M_Z) from jet and event shape observables, scaling violation and fragmentation functions, inclusive observables from Z^0 decays, hadronic tau decays and hadron production in low energy e^+e^- annihilation are discussed. Updates of the measurements are performed where new data or improved calculations have become available. Finally, investigations of the gauge structure of QCD are summarised.