A SEARCH FOR SCALAR ELECTRONS AT PEP (QED, QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS)
Abstract
Experimental results from e('+)e('-) reactions at the Positron Electron Project (PEP) using the High Resolution Spectrometer (HRS) are presented. Events with two electrons, and no other charged particles, in the final state are studied. Limits are given for the production of scalar-electrons predicted by models based on supersymmetry. In particular the pair production of such particles through s-channel single photon annihilation and t-channel inelastic scattering is considered. The data is well described by quantum electrodynamics (QED) but we observe one event which is also consistent with a supersymmetric model. Using this single event we find that the mass, M(,se), of these scalar-electrons is excluded, to 95% CL, in the range 1.8 (LESSTHEQ) M(,se) (LESSTHEQ) 14.2 GeV/c('2). A description of the HRS detector is given with particular emphasis on the electronic trigger system.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Particle physics
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