Hadronization in Z0 decay

Abstract

The confinement transition from the quark and gluon degrees of freedom appropriate in perturbation theory to the hadrons observed by real world experiments is poorly understood. In this strongly interacting transition regime we presently rely on models, which to varying degrees reflect possible scenarios for the QCD dynamics. Because of the absence of beam and target remnants, and the clean experimental conditions and high event rates, e+e- annihilation to hadrons at the Z0 provides a unique laboratory, both experimentally and theoretically, for the study of parton hadronization. This review discusses current theoretical understanding of the hadronization of partons, with particular emphasis on models of the non-perturbative phase, as implemented in Monte Carlo simulation programs. Experimental results at LEP and SLC are summarised and considered in the light of the models. Suggestions are given for further measurements which could help to produce more progress in understanding hadronization.