Dublin Theoretical Physics Colloquium

Thursday, September 11 	Elisabetta Barberio (CERN/SMU)


Experimental tests of the standard of electro weak interactions at LEP


The standard model of the electroweak interaction is the theory that
describes both the electromagnetic force and the weak nuclear force.
Superficially, these forces appear quite different.  However, they are
facets of the same, more fundamental force.  Particle accelerators are
built to study fundamental particles and forces in conditions similar to a
time very close to the Big Bang. In these conditions, the standard model
of the electroweak interaction can be tested.

The weak messengers, the neutral Z particle and the charged W particles,
were discovered at CERN in the 1980s. At LEP, many Z and W particles have
been produced and their properties measured to astonishing precision. I
will review the key measurements performed over the last decade by LEP,
with an emphasis on the most recent results. I will also present some
estimates of the sensitivity of the upcoming and the future machines (LHC
and linear collider).



A provisional schedule for this terms colloquiums will be available soon,
but note the following:

Monday, September 22:  Kumar S. Gupta  (Saha INP, Calcutta, India)

Degeneracy of quantum states in the near-horizon region of black holes.