A determination of the strong coupling constant αS from e+e- total cross-section data

All the published data on quark pair final states in the continuum in e+e- annihilation have been analysed in a self consistent way to study the behaviour of the strong coupling constant, αs and the associated scale parameter Λsub(anti M)sub(anti S)(4). The best fit results are αs=0.135±0.012±0.010 at s=Q2=1000 GeV2 or from an alternative fit, vertical strokeαsvertical stroke=0.137±0.015±0.010. The value of sin2θw obtained simultaneously is 0.236±0.015. These fits provide a good description of the R continuum from Q2=7 GeV2 all the way through two distinct quark thresholds to Q2=2704 GeV2. By including terms up to 3rd order in αs, it is shown that these 3rd order terms have a considerable effect and that 4th order corrections may be needed. (orig.)