Parton distributions from deep-inelastic-scattering data

We perform the analysis of existing light-targets deep-inelastic-scattering (DIS) data in the leading-order (LO), next-to-leading-order (NLO), and next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO) QCD approximations and extract PDFs simultaneously with the value of the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$ and the high-twist contribution to the structure functions. The main theoretical uncertainties and experimental uncertainties due to all sources of experimental errors in data are estimated, the latter generally dominate for the obtained PDFs. The uncertainty in Higgs boson production cross section due to errors in PDFs is $\sim 2$% for the LHC and varies from 2% to 10% for the Fermilab collider under variation of the Higgs boson mass from $100 {\rm GeV}$ to $300 {\rm GeV}$. For the $W$-boson production cross section the uncertainty is $\sim 2$% for the both colliders. The value of $\alpha^{\rm NNLO}_{\rm s}(M_{\rm Z})=0.1143\pm 0.0014({\rm exp.})$ is obtained, while the high-twist terms do not vanish up to the NNLO as required by comparison to data

PQCD Analysis of Parton-Hadron Duality

We propose an extraction of the running coupling constant of QCD in the infrared region from experimental data on deep inelastic inclusive scattering at Bjorken x -> 1. We first attempt a perturbative fit of the data that extends NLO PQCD evolution to large x values and final state invariant mass, W, in the resonance region. We include both target mass corrections and large x resummation effects. These effects are of order O(1/Q^2), and they improve the agreement with the Q^2 dependence of the data. Standard analyses require the presence of additional power corrections, or dynamical higher twists, to achieve a fully quantitative fit. Our analysis, however, is regulated by the value of the strong coupling in the infrared region that enters through large x resummation effects, and that can suppress, or absorb, higher twist effects. Large x data therefore indirectly provide a measurement of this quantity that can be compared to extractions from other observables.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Modeling power corrections to the Bjorken sum rule for the neutrino structure function F_1

Direct measurements of the the structure functions F_1^{nu p} and F_1^{nu n} at a neutrino factory would allow for an accurate extraction of alpha_s from the Q^2-dependence of the Bjorken sum rule, complementing that based on the Gross-Llewellyn-Smith sum rule for F_3. We estimate the power (1/Q^2-) corrections to the Bjorken sum rule in the instanton vacuum model. For the reduced matrix element of the flavor-nonsinglet twist-4 operator ubar_g_Gdual_gamma_gamma5_u - (u -> d) we obtain a value of 0.18 GeV^2, in good agreement with the QCD sum rule calculations of Braun and Kolesnichenko. Our result allows to reduce the theoretical error in the determination of alpha_s.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, uses iopart.cls. Proceedings of the 4th NuFact'02 Workshop "Neutrino Factories based on Muon Storage Rings", Imperial College, London, July 1-6, 200

Parton distribution functions from the precise NNLO QCD fit

We report the parton distribution functions (PDFs) determined from the NNLO QCD analysis of the world inclusive DIS data with account of the precise NNLO QCD corrections to the evolution equations kernel. The value of strong coupling constant \alpha_s^{NNLO}(M_Z)=0.1141(14), in fair agreement with one obtained using the earlier approximate NNLO kernel by van Neerven-Vogt. The intermediate bosons rates calculated in the NNLO using obtained PDFs are in agreement to the latest Run II results.Comment: 8 pages, LATEX, 2 figures (EPS

Error Estimates on Parton Density Distributions

Error estimates on parton density distributions are presently based on the traditional method of least squares minimisation and linear error propagation in global QCD fits. We review the underlying assumptions and the various mathematical representations of the method and address some technical issues encountered in such a global analysis. Parton distribution sets which contain error information are described.Comment: Latex, 12 pages, 5 figures. Needs iopart.cls and iopart12.clo. Presented at New Trends in HERA Physics 2001, Ringberg Castle, Tegernsee, Germany, June 17-22, 200

Perturbative and nonperturbative contributions to the strange quark asymmetry in the nucleon

There are two mechanisms for the generation of an asymmetry between the strange and anti-strange quark distributions in the nucleon: nonperturbative contributions originating from nucleons fluctuating into virtual baryon-meson pairs such as $\Lambda K$ and $\Sigma K$, and perturbative contributions arising from gluons splitting into strange and anti-strange quark pairs. While the nonperturbative contributions are dominant in the large-$x$ region, the perturbative contributions are more significant in the small-$x$ region. We calculate this asymmetry taking into account both nonperturbative and perturbative contributions, thus giving a more accurate evaluation of this asymmetry over the whole domain of $x$. We find that the perturbative contributions are generally a few times larger in magnitude than the nonperturbative contributions, which suggests that the best region to detect this asymmetry experimentally is in the region $0.02 < x < 0.03$. We find that the asymmetry may have more than one node, which is an effect that should be taken into account, e.g. for parameterizations of the strange and anti-strange quark distributions used in global analysis of parton distributions.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, figures comparing theoretical calculations with NNPDF global analysis added, accepted for publication in EPJ