Measurement of e+e−→τ+τ− at high energy and properties of the τ lepton

The e⁺e^?→τ⁺τ^? process has been measured using the CELLO detector at a mean total centre of mass energy of 34.2 GeV using essentially all the decay channels of the τ lepton. The measured cross section yields R_τ=1.03±0.05 (stat)±0.07 (syst). Topological branching fraction are given for τ → 1, 3 or 5 charged tracks. The angular distribution shows a clear 1 + cos²θ dependance with a forward-backward asymmetry of -0.103 ± 0.052 corresponding to an axial-vector coupling a_τ of the τ to the weak neutral current given by a_τ=?1.12 ± 0.57.