Four-jet decays of theZ 0: Prospects of testing the triple gluon coupling

A large fraction of 4-jet events inZ ⁰ decays evolve fromq \(\bar q\) gg parton states. These configurations allow us to test the triple gluon coupling which is a consequence of the non-Abelian nature of QCD. The strength and the form of this coupling determine the quark-gluon decomposition of the final state as well as angular correlations between the jets. A critical assessment of the sensitivity of these observables to theggg vertex is presented under realistic experimental conditions. Methods to improve the sensitivity in large samples ofZ ⁰ decays are suggested.     

Photochemistry of Isothiocoumarin (= 1H-[2]benzothiopyran-1-one)

Irradiation (λ = 350 nm) of 1H-[2]benzothiopyran-1-one ( 2 ) in the solid state affords selectively and in good yield 6aα, 6bα, 12bα, 12cα -tetrahydrocyclobuta[1, 2-c:4, 3-c′]bis([2]benzothiopyran)-5, 8-dione ( 3 ), the head-to-head (HH) cis-cisoid-cis-cyclodimer of 2 , X-Ray analysis of 2 confirms that this reaction proceeds according to the well-established topochemical principles. The same dimer 3 is obtained in low yields on irradiation of 10⁻¹ M solutions of 2 in either MeOH or MeCN, while no conversion at all is observed in benzene. On irradiation of 2 in MeCN in the presence of tetrachloroethene, the [2 + 2] photocycloadduct 4 is formed in good yield, the conversion 2 → 4 being efficiently quenched by naphthalene. In contrast, no reaction is observed -on irradiation of 2 in the presence of 2, 3-dimethylbut-2-ene, neither in polar nor in apolar solvents.     

Site Selectivity in [2+2] Photocycloadditions of Tricyclic ‘Diethenylbenzenes' to 2,3‐Dimethylbut‐2‐ene

Upon irradiation at wavelengths above 390 nm in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene, both the newly synthesized pyranoquinolinedione 8 and thiinobenzopyrandione 9 selectively afford one of two possible photocycloadducts, 23 and 24 , respectively.     

The 2009 world average of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">s</Emphasis></Subscript>

Measurements of α _s, the coupling strength of the Strong Interaction between quarks and gluons, are summarised and an updated value of the world average of a_s(M_Z⁰)\alpha_{\mathrm{s}}(M_{\mathrm{Z}^{0}}) is derived. Special emphasis is laid on the most recent determinations of α _s. These are obtained from τ-decays, from global fits of electroweak precision data and from measurements of the proton structure function F₂, which are based on perturbative QCD calculations up to O(a_s⁴)\mathcal{O}(\alpha_{\mathrm{s}}^{4}); from hadronic event shapes and jet production in e⁺e⁻ annihilation, based on O(a_s³)\mathcal{O}(\alpha_{\mathrm{s}}^{3}) QCD; from jet production in deep inelastic scattering and from ϒ decays, based on O(a_s²)\mathcal{O}(\alpha_{\mathrm{s}}^{2}) QCD; and from heavy quarkonia based on unquenched QCD lattice calculations. A pragmatic method is chosen to obtain the world average and an estimate of its overall uncertainty, resulting in