Forward-backward charge asymmetry in e+e- annihilation into hadrons at high energies -: art. no. 014017

The forward-backward asymmetry in e(+)e(-) annihilation into a quark-antiquark pair is considered in the double-logarithmic approximation at energies much higher than the masses of the weak bosons. It is shown that after accounting for the exchange of virtual photons and W,Z bosons to all orders one is led to the following effect (asymmetry): quarks with positive electric charge (e.g., u, (d) over bar) tend to move in the e(+) direction whereas quarks with negative charges (e.g., d, (u) over bar) tend to move in the e(-) direction. The value of the asymmetry grows with increasing energy when the produced quarks are within a cone with an opening angle, in the center of mass frame, theta(0)similar to2M(Z)/roots around the e(+)e(-) beam. Outside this cone, at theta(0)<<theta<<1, the asymmetry is inversely proportional to theta.