Search for sleptons in e+e- collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 161 GeV and 172 GeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for supersymmetric slepton particles in electron-positron collisions at specific energies, finding no evidence but setting improved mass limits at 95% confidence level.

Contribution

First analysis of slepton production at these energies with improved mass limits and no observed signal.

Findings

No evidence for slepton production was observed.

Background processes explain all candidate events.

New mass limits for sleptons were established.

Abstract

The data recorded by the ALEPH experiment at LEP at centre-of-mass energies of 161 GeV and 172 GeV were analysed to search for sleptons, the supersymmetric partners of leptons. No evidence for the production of these particles was found. The number of candidates observed is consistent with the background expected from four-fermion processes and gammagamma-interactions. Improved mass limits at 95% C.L. are reported.