Related papers: $\alpha_{s}$ from the (revised) ALEPH data for $\t…
The perturbative series used to extract $\alpha_s(M_\tau)$ from the $\tau$ hadronic width exhibits slow convergence. Asymptotic Pade-approximant and Pade summation techniques provide an estimate of these unknown higher-order effects,…
Hadronic $\tau$ decays provide a clean laboratory for the precise study of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Observables based on the spectral functions of hadronic $\tau$ decays can be related to QCD quark-level calculations to determine…
The spectral functions of the vector current and the axial-vector current have been measured in hadronic tau decays using the OPAL detector at LEP. Within the framework of the Operator Product Expansion a simultaneous determination of the…
We review the present status in the determination of the $accurate$ value of $\alpha_s$ from $\tau$-decays, where we discuss in detail the different sources of theoretical errors.
The full LEP-1 data set collected with the ALEPH detector at the $Z$ pole during 1991-1995 is analysed in order to measure the $\tau$ decay branching fractions. Extensive systematic studies are performed, in order to match the large…
In the determination of alpha_s from tau decays several different moments of the hadronic spectral functions have been used. In a recent work, we performed an analysis of their perturbative behaviour under two different assumptions for the…
With the help of a physically motivated ansatz, which is fitted to the data, we estimate the size of possible duality violations in hadronic tau decay. The result is that the uncertainty associated with these violations could impact the…
The $\tau$ decay rate into hadrons of invariant mass smaller than $\sqrt{s_0}\gg\Lambda_{\rm QCD}$ can be calculated in QCD assuming global quark--hadron duality. It is shown that this assumption holds for $s_0>0.7$~GeV$^2$. From…
The total $\tau$ hadronic width can be accurately calculated using analyticity and the operator product expansion. The theoretical analysis of this observable is updated to include all available perturbative and non-perturbative…
Recent experimental results on hadronic tau decays into strange particles by the OPAL collaboration are employed to determine V_us and m_s from moments of the invariant mass distribution. Our results are V_us = 0.2208+-0.0034 and m_s(2 GeV)…
The evolution of the determination of the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$ from the leptonic branching ratios, the lifetime, and the invariant mass distributions of the hadronic final state of the $\tau$ lepton over the last two decades…
The results of evaluation of mixed QED X QCD corrections to R(s) in e^+e^- annihilation and R_{\tau} in hadronic decay of the \tau lepton to O(\alpha^n\alpha_s^m), m+n \leq 3, are presented. The net effect on \alpha_s(M_Z) from the Z decay…
We have reevaluated the hadronic contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (g-2) and to the running of the QED fine structure constant alpha(s) at s=M_Z**2. We incorporated new data from hadronic tau decays, recently…
The strong coupling alpha_s(M_Z^2) has been measured using hadronic decays of Z^0 bosons collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. The data were compared with QCD predictions both at fixed order, O(alpha_s^2), and including resummed analytic…
An update of the ALEPH non-strange spectral functions from hadronic $\tau$ decays is presented. Compared to the 2005 ALEPH publication, the main improvement is related to the use of a new method to unfold the measured mass spectra from…
We present a brief (mainly bibliographical) report on recently performed calculations of terms of order O(\alpha_s^4 n_f^2) and O(\alpha_s^4 n_f^2 m_q^2) for hadronic Z and \tau decay rates. A few details about the analytical evaluation of…
In previous work we have combined the $\pi^-\pi^0$, $2\pi^-\pi^+\pi^0$ and $\pi^-3\pi^0$ spectral data obtained from hadronic $\tau$ decays measured by the ALEPH and OPAL experiments, together with electroproduction data for several of the…
Full LEP-I data collected by the ALEPH detector during 1991-1995 running are analyzed in order to measure the $\tau$ decay branching fractions. The analysis follows the global method used in the published study based on 1991-1993 data, with…
We report on some technical aspects of our calculation of alpha_s^4 corrections to R(s) and the semi-leptonic tau decay width [1-3]. We discuss the inner structure of the result as well as the issue of its correctness. We demonstrate…
A numerical error is pointed out in the existing expression for the order $\alpha_s^2$ longitudinal component of the squared-mass (D=2) contribution to the hadronic $\tau$ decay rate. The corrected version is found to be such that, to order…