The order O(αˉ αˉs)O(\bar{\alpha}~\bar{\alpha}_s) and O(αˉ2)O(\bar{\alpha}^2) corrections to the decay width of the neutral Higgs boson to the bˉb\bar{b}b pair

We present the analytical expressions for the contributions of the order $O(\bar{\alpha}~\bar{\alpha}_s)$ and $O(\bar{\alpha}^2)$ corrections to the decay width of the Standard Model Higgs boson into the $\bar{b}b$-pair. The numerical value of the mixed QED and QCD correction of order $O(\bar{\alpha}~\bar{\alpha}_s)$ is comparable with the previously calculated terms in the perturbative series for $\Gamma(H^0\to\bar{b}b)$.Comment: LaTeX 5 pages, accepted for publication in Pisma Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. v 66, N5 (1997

Constraints on the form factors for K --> pi l nu and implications for V_us

Rigorous bounds are established for the expansion coefficients governing the shape of semileptonic K-->pi form factors. The constraints enforced by experimental data from tau-->K pi nu eliminate uncertainties associated with model parameterizations in the determination of |V_us|. The results support the validity of a powerful expansion that can be applied to other semileptonic transitions.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; references added, version to appear in Phys. Rev. D alongside hep-ex/060805

Effects of technicolor on standard model running couplings

We discuss the running couplings in the standard model, SU(3$)_C \times$SU(2$)_L \times$U(1$)_Y$, when the Higgs sector is replaced by SU($N_{TC})$ technicolor. Particular attention is given to the running of the couplings at momentum scales where technicolor is nonperturbative, and in this region we apply a relativistic constituent technifermion model. This model has been tested against the known running of the QED coupling due to nonperturbative QCD. An understanding of this low momentum running allows the calculation of the couplings at a higher scale, $\Lambda_{pert}$, where technicolor becomes perturbative. We provide numerical values for the changes in the three standard model couplings between $m_Z$ and $\Lambda_{pert}$ due to technicolor, assuming separately ``one doublet'' and ``one family'' technicolor models. The distinction between a running and walking technicolor coupling is also considered.Comment: 14 pages of LaTeX, UTPT-94-

Higgs Decay to Top Quarks at O(\alpha_s^2)

Three-loop corrections to the scalar and pseudo-scalar current correlator are calculated. By applying the large momentum expansion mass terms up to order (m^2/q^2)^4 are evaluated analytically. As an application O(\alpha_s^2) corrections to the decay of a scalar and pseudo-scalar Higgs boson into top quarks are considered. It is shown that for a Higgs mass not far above the $t\bar{t}$ threshold these higher order mass corrections are necessary to get reliable results.Comment: Latex, 20 pages, 14 ps-figures. The complete paper, including figures, is also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ttpux2.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/ , or via www at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/cgi-bin/preprints

Renormalization-Scale-Invariant PQCD Predictions for R_e+e- and the Bjorken Sum Rule at Next-to-Leading Order

We discuss application of the physical QCD effective charge $\alpha_V$, defined via the heavy-quark potential, in perturbative calculations at next-to-leading order. When coupled with the Brodsky-Lepage-Mackenzie prescription for fixing the renormalization scales, the resulting series are automatically and naturally scale and scheme independent, and represent unambiguous predictions of perturbative QCD. We consider in detail such commensurate scale relations for the $e^+e^-$ annihilation ratio $R_{e^+e^-}$ and the Bjorken sum rule. In both cases the improved predictions are in excellent agreement with experiment.Comment: 13 Latex pages with 5 figures; to be published in Physical Review

On the QCD perturbative expansion for e^+ e^- --> hadrons

We study the perturbative QCD series for the hadronic width of the Z boson. We sum a class of large ``pi^2 terms'' and reorganize the series so as to minimize ``renormalon'' effects. We also consider the renormalization scheme-scale ambiguity of the perturbative results. We find that, with three nontrivial known terms in the perturbative expansion, the treatment of the pi^2 terms is quite important, while renormalon effects are less important. The measured hadronic width of the Z is often used to determine the value of alpha_s(M_Z^2). A standard method is to use the perturbative expansion for the width truncated at order alpha_s^3 in the MS-bar scheme with scale mu = M_Z. We estimate that the determined value of alpha_s(M_Z^2) should be increased by 0.6% compared to the value extracted with this standard method. After this adjustment for pi^2 and renormalon effects, we estimate that the uncertainty in alpha_s(M_Z^2) arising from QCD theory is about 0.4%. This is, of course, much less than the experimental uncertainty of about 5%.Comment: 23 pages, REVTEX3.0, uses epsf.tex to insert figures; with 6 figures in encapsulated postscript for