Precision Tests of the Standard Model

Paul Langacker

Published 1993-03-24Version 1

The implications of recent precision $Z$-pole, $W$ mass, and weak neutral current data for testing the standard electroweak model, constraining the $t$ quark and Higgs masses, \alsz, and grand unification are discussed. A fit to all data yields $\siz = 0.2328 \pm 0.0007$ (\msb) or $\sinn \equiv 1 - \mw^2/\mz^2 = 0.2267 \pm 0.0024$ (on-shell), where the uncertainties are mainly from \mt. In the standard model one predicts $\mt = 150^{+19 + 15}_{-24 - 20}$ GeV, where the central value assumes \mh = 300 GeV and the second uncertainty is for \mh $\ra$ 60 GeV ($-$) or 1 TeV (+). In the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) one predicts $\mt = 134^{+23}_{-28} \pm 5$ GeV, where the difference is due the light Higgs scalar expected in the MSSM. There is no significant constraint on \mh \ until \mt \ is known independently.