Probing the standard model at the SPS collider

A review of the experimental results which have been obtained by the UA1 experiment at the CERN proton-antiproton collider is presented. The experiments are compared with the predictions of the Electroweak theory and of the Quantum Chromo-Dynamics. The observation of the W in all the three expected leptonic channels and of the ZO in both the electron and muon channels are reviewed as well as the measurements of their masses and decay properties. Complete agreement is found with the predictions of the Electroweak theory. The production properties of the intermediate vector bosons (production and differential cross sections) are found in agreement with the predictions of QCD. (H.W.). 33 refs.; 38 figs