Transverse Momentum Distributions in B-Decays

We consider transverse momentum distributions in B-decays. The O(alpha_S) coefficients for soft and collinear logarithms are computed to next-to-leading accuracy. Resummation of large logarithmic contributions is performed in impact parameter space within the general formalism for transverese momentum distributions. It is shown that the shape-function approach as used for the threshold distribution case cannot be extended to the transverse momentum one.Comment: LaTex file, 8 pages, 1 postscript figur

Approximate NNLO Threshold Resummation in Heavy Flavour Decays

We present an approximate NNLO evaluation of the QCD form factor resumming large logarithmic perturbative contributions in semi-inclusive heavy flavour decays.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, Latex; minor changes; 2 figures adde

A next-to-next-to-leading order calculation of soft-virtual cross sections

We compute the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) soft and virtual QCD corrections for the partonic cross section of colourless-final state processes in hadronic collisions. The results are valid to all orders in the dimensional regularization parameter \ep. The dependence of the results on a particular process is given through finite contributions to the one and two-loop amplitudes. To evaluate the accuracy of the soft-virtual approximation we compare it with the full NNLO result for Drell-Yan and Higgs boson production via gluon fusion. We also provide a universal expression for the hard coefficient needed to perform threshold resummation up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figure

Unified QCD Evolution Equations and the Dominant Behaviour of Structure Functions at Low X

We consider a system of evolution equations for quark and gluon structure functions satisfying the leading-logarithmic behaviour due to both QCD collinear $\left(LLQ^2 \right)$ and infrared $(LL1/x)$ singularities. We show that these equations leave undetermined an arbitrary regular function of $j$ in the Mellin-transformed weights. We consider the constraints resulting from energy-momentum conservation and from the decoupling of quark loops in the leading $j$-plane singularity. These constraints can be fulfilled without influencing the leading-log terms. As a particular consequence of the second constraint, the location of the leading singularity is determined in terms of the $(LL1/x)$ and $\left(LLQ^2 \right)$ kernels. It leads to a value significantly lower than the $LL1/x$ evaluation, while remaining at $j > 1,$ and compatible with the behaviour of structure functions observed at HERA.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, plain tex. SPhT-SACLAY preprint T94/09

On the Universality of the Leading, 1/Q1/Q Power Corrections in QCD

We discuss $1/Q$ corrections to hard processes in QCD where $Q$ is a large mass parameter like the total energy in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. The main problem we address ourselves to is whether these corrections to different processes (concentrating for definiteness on the Thrust and the Drell-Yan cross section) can be related to each other in a reliable way so that the phenomenology of the $1/Q$ corrections can be developed. We derive first the relation valid to lowest order using both the renormalon and finite-gauge-boson mass techniques to check its independence on the infrared cut- off procedure. We then argue that the $1/Q$ corrections are due to soft gluons which factorize into a universal factor such that the lowest order relations are preserved in higher orders.Comment: 12 page

Combining QCD and electroweak corrections to dilepton production in FEWZ

We combine the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to lepton-pair production through the Drell-Yan mechanism with the next-to-leading order (NLO) electroweak corrections within the framework of the FEWZ simulation code. Control over both sources of higher-order contributions is necessary for measurements where percent-level theoretical predictions are crucial, and in phase-space regions where the NLO electroweak corrections grow large. The inclusion of both corrections in a single simulation code eliminates the need to separately incorporate such effects as final-state radiation and electroweak Sudakov logarithms when comparing many experimental results to theory. We recalculate the NLO electroweak corrections in the complex-mass scheme for both massless and massive final-state leptons, and modify the QCD corrections in the original FEWZ code to maintain consistency with the complex-mass scheme to the lowest order. We present phenomenological results for LHC studies that include both NNLO QCD and NLO electroweak corrections. In addition, we study several interesting kinematics features induced by experimental cuts in the distribution of photon radiation at the LHC.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figure

High energy factorization predictions for the charm structure function F2^c at HERA

High energy factorization predictions for F2^c are derived using BFKL descriptions of the proton structure function F2 at HERA. The model parameters are fixed by a fit of F2 at small x. Two different approaches of the non perturbative proton input are shown to correspond to the factorization at the gluon or quark level, respectively. The predictions for F2^c are in agreement with the data within the present error bars. However, the photon wave-function formulation (factorization at quark level) predicts significantly higher F2^c than both gluon factorization and a next-leading order DGLAP model.Comment: latex file + 6 encapsulated figures, 28 page

The description of F2 at small x incorporating angular ordering

We study the perturbative QCD description of the HERA measurements of $F_2 (x, Q^2)$ using a gluon distribution that is obtained from an evolution incorporating angular ordering of the gluon emissions, and which embodies both GLAP and BFKL dynamics. We compare the predictions with recent HERA data for $F_2$. We present estimates of the charm component $F_2^c (x, Q^2)$ and of $F_L (x, Q^2)$.Comment: 8 LaTeX pages + 4 uuencoded figure

Next-to-leading order jet distributions for Higgs boson production via weak-boson fusion

The weak-boson fusion process is expected to provide crucial information on Higgs boson couplings at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The achievable statistical accuracy demands comparison with next-to-leading order QCD calculations, which are presented here in the form of a fully flexible parton Monte Carlo program. QCD corrections are determined for jet distributions and are shown to be modest, of order 5 to 10% in most cases, but reaching 30% occasionally. Remaining scale uncertainties range from order 5% or less for distributions to below +-2% for the Higgs boson cross section in typical weak-boson fusion search regions.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure

Subtraction Terms for Hadronic Production Processes at Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order

I describe a subtraction scheme for the next-to-next-to-leading order calculation of single inclusive production at hadron colliders. Such processes include Drell-Yan, W^{+/-}, Z and Higgs Boson production. The key to such a calculation is a treatment of initial state radiation which preserves the production characteristics, such as the rapidity distribution, of the process involved. The method builds upon the Dipole Formalism and, with proper modifications, could be applied to deep inelastic scattering and e^+ e^- annihilation to hadrons.Comment: 4 page