arXiv subjects

Andrea Ferroglia

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Ferroglia.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Chromomagnetic Dipole-Operator Corrections in Bbar -> X_sgamma at O(beta_0 alpha_s^2)

We calculate the fermionic corrections to the photon-energy spectrum of Bbar -> X_sgamma which arise from the self-interference of the chromomagnetic dipole operator Q_8 at next-to-next-to-leading order by applying naive non-abelianization. The resulting O(beta_0 alpha_s^2) correction to the Bbar -> X_sgamma branching ratio amounts to a relative shift of +0.12% (+0.27%) for a photon-energy cut of 1.6 GeV (1.0 GeV). We also comment on the potential size of resummation and non-perturbative effects related to Q_8.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Renormalization-Group Improved Predictions for Top-Quark Pair Production at Hadron Colliders

Precision predictions for phenomenologically interesting observables such as the t-tbar invariant mass distribution and forward-backward asymmetry in top-quark pair production at hadron colliders require control over the differential cross section in perturbative QCD. In this paper we improve existing calculations of the doubly differential cross section in the invariant mass and scattering angle by using techniques from soft-collinear effective theory to perform an NNLL resummation of threshold logarithms, which become large when the invariant mass M of the top-quark pair approaches the partonic center-of-mass energy. We also derive an approximate formula for the differential cross section at NNLO in fixed-order perturbation theory, which completely determines the coefficients multiplying the singular plus distributions. We then match our results in the threshold region with the exact results at NLO in fixed-order perturbation theory, and perform a numerical analysis of the invariant mass distribution, the total cross section, and the forward-backward asymmetry. We argue that these are the most accurate predictions available for these observables at present. Using MSTW2008NNLO parton distribution functions (PDFs) along with α_s(M_Z)=0.117 and m_t=173.1 GeV, we obtain for the inclusive production cross sections at the Tevatron and LHC the values σ_{Tevatron} = (6.30 +-0.19 +0.31-0.23) pb and σ_{LHC} = (149 +- 7 +- 8) pb, where the first error results from scale variations while the second reflects PDF uncertainties.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Threshold expansion at order alpha_s^4 for the t-tbar invariant mass distribution at hadron colliders

We calculate the leading O(alpha_s^4) contributions to the invariant mass distribution of top-quark pairs produced at the Tevatron and LHC, in the limit where the invariant mass of the t-tbar pair approaches the partonic center-of-mass energy. Our results determine at NNLO in alpha_s the coefficients of all singular plus distributions and scale-dependent logarithms in the differential partonic cross sections for q-qbar, gg -> t-tbar + X. A numerical analysis showing the effects of the NNLO corrections on the central values and scale dependence of the invariant mass distribution is performed. The NNLO corrections are found to significantly enhance the cross section and reduce the perturbative uncertainties compared to the NLO calculation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Two-loop divergences of massive scattering amplitudes in non-abelian gauge theories

The infrared divergences of QCD scattering amplitudes can be derived from an anomalous dimension Γ, which is a matrix in color space and depends on the momenta and masses of the external partons. It has recently been shown that in cases where there are at least two massive partons involved in the scattering process, starting at two-loop order Γreceives contributions involving color and momentum correlations between three (and more) partons. The three-parton correlations can be described by two universal functions F_1 and f_2. In this paper these functions are calculated at two-loop order in closed analytic form and their properties are studied in detail. Both functions are found to be suppressed like O(m^4/s^2) in the limit of small parton masses, in accordance with mass factorization theorems proposed in the literature. On the other hand, both functions are O(1) and even diverge logarithmically near the threshold for pair production of two heavy particles. As an application, we calculate the infrared poles in the q qbar --> t tbar and g g --> t tbar scattering amplitudes at two-loop order.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Two-loop divergences of scattering amplitudes with massive partons

We complete the study of two-loop infrared singularities of scattering amplitudes with an arbitrary number of massive and massless partons in non-abelian gauge theories. To this end, we calculate the universal functions F_1 and f_2, which completely specify the structure of three-parton correlations in the soft anomalous-dimension matrix, at two-loop order in closed analytic form. Both functions are found to be suppressed like O(m^4/s^2) in the limit of small parton masses, in accordance with mass factorization theorems proposed in the literature. On the other hand, they are unsuppressed and diverge logarithmically near the threshold for pair production of two heavy particles. As an application, we calculate the two-loop anomalous-dimension matrix for q q_bar --> t t_bar near threshold and show that it is not diagonal in the s-channel singlet-octet basis.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

QCD Corrections to the Radiative Decay B -> X_s gamma

In this short review, the calculation of the next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the inclusive radiative decay B -> X_s gamma is described. I summarize the salient features of the calculational framework adopted, discuss the results obtained in the last few years, and indicate the technical tools that made the NNLO calculations possible. I conclude by comparing the current NNLO theoretical estimate for the branching ratio with the experimental measurement and by briefly discussing the size and origin of the residual theoretical uncertainty.

hep-ph↗