Monte Carlo approach to multiparticle production in a quark-parton model. III.e+e−annihilation and quark fragmentation functions

Abstract

A Monte Carlo quark-parton model of multiparticle production in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation is presented. The model is based on the assumption that the polarization cloud in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation behaves in a similar way as the parton system near ${y}^{*}\ensuremath{\approx}0$ in hadronic collisions. The model is constructed in a close analogy with our previous work on multiple production in hadron collisions. With all the parameters fixed by data on hadron collisions the model gives reasonable results for ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation. Quark fragmentation functions are extracted from our results on particle production in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation. Our results for fragmentation of quarks to mesons are similar to those obtained recently by Field and Feynman in a different model. Scale breaking of quark fragmentation functions following from our model is discussed. Predictions for fragmentation of quarks to baryons are presented.