arXiv subjects

C. D. White

Publications and source records attributed to C. D. White.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Diagrammatic resummation of leading-logarithmic threshold effects at next-to-leading power

Perturbative cross-sections in QCD are beset by logarithms of kinematic invariants, whose arguments vanish when heavy particles are produced near threshold. Contributions of this type often need to be summed to all orders in the coupling, in order to improve the behaviour of the perturbative expansion, and it has long been known how to do this at leading power in the threshold variable, using a variety of approaches. Recently, the problem of extending this resummation to logarithms suppressed by a single power of the threshold variable has received considerable attention. In this paper, we show that such next-to-leading power (NLP) contributions can indeed be resummed, to leading logarithmic (LL) accuracy, for any QCD process with a colour-singlet final state, using a direct generalisation of the diagrammatic methods available at leading power. We compare our results with other approaches, and comment on the implications for further generalisations beyond leading-logarithmic accuracy.

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arXiv2018

Non-abelian factorisation for next-to-leading-power threshold logarithms

Soft and collinear radiation is responsible for large corrections to many hadronic cross sections, near thresholds for the production of heavy final states. There is much interest in extending our understanding of this radiation to next-to-leading power (NLP) in the threshold expansion. In this paper, we generalise a previously proposed all-order NLP factorisation formula to include non-abelian corrections. We define a non-abelian radiative jet function, organising collinear enhancements at NLP, and compute it for quark jets at one loop. We discuss in detail the issue of double counting between soft and collinear regions. Finally, we verify our prescription by reproducing all NLP logarithms in Drell-Yan production up to NNLO, including those associated with double real emission. Our results constitute an important step in the development of a fully general resummation formalism for NLP threshold effects.

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arXiv2017

Universality of next-to-leading power threshold effects for colourless final states in hadronic collisions

We consider the production of an arbitrary number of colour-singlet particles near partonic threshold, and show that next-to-leading order cross sections for this class of processes have a simple universal form at next-to-leading power (NLP) in the energy of the emitted gluon radiation. Our analysis relies on a recently derived factorisation formula for NLP threshold effects at amplitude level, and therefore applies both if the leading-order process is tree-level and if it is loop-induced. It holds for differential distributions as well. The results can furthermore be seen as applications of recently derived next-to-soft theorems for gauge theory amplitudes. We use our universal expression to re-derive known results for the production of up to three Higgs bosons at NLO in the large top mass limit, and for the hadro-production of a pair of electroweak gauge bosons. Finally, we present new analytic results for Higgs boson pair production at NLO and NLP, with exact top-mass dependence.

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arXiv2017

Perturbative spacetimes from Yang-Mills theory

The double copy relates scattering amplitudes in gauge and gravity theories. In this paper, we expand the scope of the double copy to construct spacetime metrics through a systematic perturbative expansion. The perturbative procedure is based on direct calculation in Yang-Mills theory, followed by squaring the numerator of certain perturbative diagrams as specified by the double-copy algorithm. The simplest spherically symmetric, stationary spacetime from the point of view of this procedure is a particular member of the Janis-Newman-Winicour family of naked singularities. Our work paves the way for applications of the double copy to physically interesting problems such as perturbative black-hole scattering.

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arXiv2016

Next-to-soft corrections to high energy scattering in QCD and gravity

We examine the Regge (high energy) limit of 4-point scattering in both QCD and gravity, using recently developed techniques to systematically compute all corrections up to next-to-leading power in the exchanged momentum i.e. beyond the eikonal approximation. We consider the situation of two scalar particles of arbitrary mass, thus generalising previous calculations in the literature. In QCD, our calculation describes power-suppressed corrections to the Reggeisation of the gluon. In gravity, we confirm a previous conjecture that next-to-soft corrections correspond to two independent deflection angles for the incoming particles. Our calculations in QCD and gravity are consistent with the well-known double copy relating amplitudes in the two theories.

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arXiv2015

The classical double copy for Taub-NUT spacetime

The double copy is a much-studied relationship between gauge theory and gravity amplitudes. Recently, this was generalised to an infinite family of classical solutions to Einstein's equations, namely stationary Kerr-Schild geometries. In this paper, we extend this to the Taub-NUT solution in gravity, which has a double Kerr-Schild form. The single copy of this solution is a dyon, whose electric and magnetic charges are related to the mass and NUT charge in the gravity theory. Finally, we find hints that the classical double copy extends to curved background geometries.

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arXiv2015

An Introduction to Webs

Webs are sets of Feynman diagrams that contribute to the exponents of scattering amplitudes, in the kinematic limit in which emitted radiation is soft. As such, they have a number of phenomenological and formal applications, and offer tantalising glimpses into the all-order structure of perturbative quantum field theory. This article is based on a series of lectures given to graduate students, and aims to provide a pedagogical introduction to webs. Topics covered include exponentiation in (non-)abelian gauge theories, the web mixing matrix formalism for non-abelian gauge theories, and recent progress on the calculation of web diagrams. Problems are included throughout the text, to aid understanding.

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arXiv2015

A factorization approach to next-to-leading-power threshold logarithms

Threshold logarithms become dominant in partonic cross sections when the selected final state forces gluon radiation to be soft or collinear. Such radiation factorizes at the level of scattering amplitudes, and this leads to the resummation of threshold logarithms which appear at leading power in the threshold variable. In this paper, we consider the extension of this factorization to include effects suppressed by a single power of the threshold variable. Building upon the Low-Burnett-Kroll-Del Duca (LBKD) theorem, we propose a decomposition of radiative amplitudes into universal building blocks, which contain all effects ultimately responsible for next-to-leading power (NLP) threshold logarithms in hadronic cross sections for electroweak annihilation processes. In particular, we provide a NLO evaluation of the "radiative jet function", responsible for the interference of next-to-soft and collinear effects in these cross sections. As a test, using our expression for the amplitude, we reproduce all abelian-like NLP threshold logarithms in the NNLO Drell-Yan cross section, including the interplay of real and virtual emissions. Our results are a significant step towards developing a generally applicable resummation formalism for NLP threshold effects, and illustrate the breakdown of next-to-soft theorems for gauge theory amplitudes at loop level.

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arXiv2014

Diagrammatic insights into next-to-soft corrections

We confirm recently proposed theorems for the structure of next-to-soft corrections in gauge and gravity theories using diagrammatic techniques, first developed for use in QCD phenomenology. Our aim is to provide a useful alternative insight into the next-to-soft theorems, including tools that may be useful for further study. We also shed light on a recently observed double copy relation between next-to-soft corrections in the gauge and gravity cases.

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arXiv2013

Wilson line approach to gravity in the high energy limit

We examine the high energy (Regge) limit of gravitational scattering using a Wilson line approach previously used in the context of non-Abelian gauge theories. Our aim is to clarify the nature of the Reggeization of the graviton and the interplay between this Reggeization and the so-called eikonal phase which determines the spectrum of gravitational bound states. Furthermore, we discuss finite corrections to this picture. Our results are of relevance to various supergravity theories, and also help to clarify the relationship between gauge and gravity theories.

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arXiv2013

NLO QCD corrections to tW' and tZ' production in forward-backward asymmetry models

We consider Z' and W' models recently proposed to explain the top forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron. We present the next-to-leading order QCD corrections to associated production of such vector bosons together with top quarks at the Large Hadron Collider, for centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The corrections are significant, modifying the total production cross-section by 30-50%. We consider the effects of the corrections on the top and vector-boson kinematics. The results are directly applicable to current experimental searches, for both the ATLAS and CMS collaborations.

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arXiv2013

BCJ duality and the double copy in the soft limit

We examine the structure of infrared singularities in QCD and quantum General Relativity, from the point of view of the recently conjectured double copy property which relates scattering amplitudes in non-Abelian gauge theories with gravitational counterparts. We show that IR divergences in both theories are consistent with the double copy procedure, to all orders in perturbation theory, thus providing all loop-level evidence for the conjecture. We further comment on the relevance, or otherwise, to the so-called dipole formula, a conjecture for the complete structure of IR singularities in QCD.

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arXiv2013

Polarisation studies in H-t production

We summarise a recent study looking at top quark polarisation effects in charged Higgs boson production. Lab frame angular and energy observables relating to leptonic decays of top quarks are analysed, and corresponding asymmetry parameters obtained. These are shown to be sensitive to top polarisation and robust with respect to higher order corrections. Thus, they are an efficient probe of charged Higgs parameter space.

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arXiv2013

New insights into soft gluons and gravitons

The study of gluon radiation in QCD, in the limit of small ("soft") momentum, remains an active research area, with a variety of phenomenological and theoretical applications. Soft gluon emission leads to large logarithms in perturbation theory which have to be summed up to all orders in the coupling, and also governs the structure of infrared singularities. Recently, new techniques and mathematical structures have been discovered, which enhance our understanding of these all-order properties. This contribution will review a number of key topics, including the relationship between QCD and gravity.

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arXiv2012

The gravitational cusp anomalous dimension from AdS space

Recently a new picture has been developed for examining Wilson lines, and the corresponding anomalous dimensions which govern their renormalization properties. By making a particular coordinate transform, the calculation of the cusp anomalous dimension in QED or QCD can be related to the energy of a pair of static charges in Euclidean Anti-de-Sitter (AdS) space. This paper shows how the same picture can be used to describe Wilson lines in quantum gravity. We show how the relevant cusp anomalous dimension (which has recently been shown to be one loop exact) can be obtained using the Newtonian limit of General Relativity. We also show how both the QED and gravity cases emerge as special cases of a general formulation, and that a continuous parameter exists which interpolates between them. The results may be useful in examining the relations between gauge and gravity theories.

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arXiv2009

Charged Higgs boson production in association with a top quark in MC@NLO

We discuss the calculation of charged Higgs boson production in association with top quark in the MC@NLO framework for combining NLO matrix elements with a parton shower. The process is defined in a model independent manner for wide applicability, and can be used if the charged Higgs boson mass is either greater or less than the mass of the top quark. For the latter mass region, care is needed in defining the charged Higgs production mode due to interference with top pair production. We give a suitable definition applicable in an NLO (plus parton shower) context, and present example results for the LHC.

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arXiv2009

Path Integral Methods for Soft Gluon Resummation

We describe a new framework for soft gluon resummation, based on path integral methods. The approach recovers previous results obtained in the eikonal approximation, in which all emitted gluons become soft. Furthermore, a clear physical interpretation allows straightforward extension of the framework to beyond the eikonal approximation, and we use this to classify the structure of next-to-eikonal corrections to matrix elements.

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arXiv2009

Parton Distributions

We provide an assessment of the state of the art in various issues related to experimental measurements, phenomenological methods and theoretical results relevant for the determination of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and their uncertainties, with the specific aim of providing benchmarks of different existing approaches and results in view of their application to physics at the LHC. We discuss higher order corrections, we review and compare different approaches to small x resummation, and we assess the possible relevance of parton saturation in the determination of PDFS at HERA and its possible study in LHC processes. We provide various benchmarks of PDF fits, with the specific aim of studying issues of error propagation, non-gaussian uncertainties, choice of functional forms of PDFs, and combination of data from different experiments and different processes. We study the impact of combined HERA (ZEUS-H1) structure function data, their impact on PDF uncertainties, and their implications for the computation of standard candle processes, and we review the recent F_L determination at HERA. Finally, we compare and assess methods for luminosity measurements at the LHC and the impact of PDFs on them.

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