Precision tests of the SM and higher order effects: the example of the effective mixing angle

Abstract

The radiative corrections involved in the precise determination of the electroweak mixing angle measured at the Z-peak are reviewed in detail, with particular emphasis on the new calculation of two-loop heavy top effects. This example serves as a brief pedagogical introduction to the problems and techniques of higher order electroweak calculations.

Comments: 12 pages, Latex, 6 Pstscript figs included with psfig.sty. Lecture given at the XXXVI Cracow School of Theor. Physics (Zakopane, Poland, June '96). To appear in the proceedings, Acta Phys. Polonica