Extracting the jet azimuthal anisotropy from higher order cumulants

We derive model-independent constraints on four-fermion contact interaction-type dynamics from the published preliminary LEP2 experimental data on e ⁺ e ^- annihilation into and pairs, measured at different energies between 130 and 207 GeV. The basic observables are chosen to be the total cross section and the forward-backward asymmetry, and the analysis realistically takes into account data uncertainties and correlations among measurements at the various energies. The combination of data from different energy points plays an important role in the determination of regions allowed for the contact interaction coupling constants. In contrast to the more common one-parameter analyses, we only obtain constraints on pairs of parameters rather than limits on individual ones. Received: 18 December 2002 / Revised version: 19 March 2003 / Published online: 13 May 2003