arXiv subjects

Leonardo Di Giustino

Publications and source records attributed to Leonardo Di Giustino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Analysis of $H \to J/ψ+γ$ up to Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order QCD Corrections

The rare exclusive decay of the Higgs boson $H \to J/ψ+ γ$ is an important channel for measuring the Yukawa coupling of the charm quark. In this article, we analyze the process by employing the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) up to the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD. Conventional scale setting leads to theoretical predictions affected by errors dominated by renormalization scale uncertainty. The PMC provides a systematic method to eliminate this renormalization scale uncertainty by resumming non-conformal $β$ contributions into the QCD running coupling via renormalization group equation (RGE). We obtain a PMC scale result of $Q_\star = 3.29\ \text{GeV}$, which reflects the low virtuality of the underlying QCD dynamics for the $H \to J/ψ+ γ$ process. In fact, this is an order of magnitude smaller than the guessed scale using the conventional method, i.e., $μ_r = m_H/2$. By removing non-conformal $\{β_i\}$-terms from the perturbative QCD (pQCD) series, the PMC eliminates renormalization scale uncertainty. Comparing results, we find that the PMC NLO QCD correction term is significantly enhanced, while the PMC NNLO QCD correction is suppressed. This indicates improved convergence of the pQCD series up to NNLO. Finally, we determine the decay width $Γ(H \to J/ψ+ γ) = 14.183^{+0.249}_{-0.347} \pm 0.022$ eV, where the first error arises from the factorization scale $μ_Λ\in [1, 2]\ \text{GeV}$, and the second error from estimating unknown higher-order terms using the Pade approximant approach. The corresponding branching fraction is $\mathcal{B}(H \to J/ψ+ γ) = 3.485_{-0.161}^{+0.152} \times 10^{-6}$.

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arXiv2026

Novel analysis for the energy-energy correlation in electron-positron annihilation in the perturbative domain

The energy-energy correlation (EEC) in electron-positron annihilation plays a crucial role in precision tests of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and measurements of the QCD coupling constant. In this paper, we provide a novel analysis for the EEC by using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC), a systematic method for eliminating renormalization scheme-and-scale ambiguities. The PMC scales are determined by resumming the non-conformal $β$-terms that govern the behavior of the QCD running coupling via the renormalization group equation, and reflect the virtuality of the propagating gluons in QCD. It is noteworthy that the resulting PMC scale varies dynamically with the EEC's angular distribution, reflecting the expected scale's physical behavior. Moreover, due to the reabsorption of all $β$-terms, including also those related to the divergent renormalon terms such as $n!β^n_0α^n_s$, in the pQCD series, the behavior of the QCD perturbative coefficient using PMC, differs entirely from that of the conventional coefficient. Consequently, the PMC predicted EEC distribution agrees well with the experimental data in the perturbative domain.

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arXiv2025

Analysis of the Pion Electromagnetic Form Factor with Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order QCD Corrections

NNLO QCD corrections for the pion electromagnetic form factor at large momentum transfer have been recently performed in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 201901 (2024); Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 221901 (2025)], revealing that the NLO and NNLO contributions are positive and sizeable. Unfortunately, these predictions have been obtained using the conventional scale-setting method and thus they are plagued by large renormalization scale ambiguities. In this paper, we analyze the pion electromagnetic form factor at NNLO by applying the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC), which is introduced with the aim of resolving renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities. By applying the PMC, a more precise perturbative QCD (pQCD) prediction for the pion EMFF $Q^2F_π(Q^2)$ without conventional renormalization scale ambiguity can be achieved. This improved pQCD prediction is highly beneficial for the precise determination of the pion light-cone distribution amplitude. We then conduct a comprehensive comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of the pion EMFF $Q^2F_π(Q^2)$.

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arXiv2025

Renormalisation

We give an introduction to renormalisation, focusing first on a pedagogical description of fundamental concepts of the procedure and its features, then we introduce the renormalisation group and its equations. We discuss then the case of gauge theories such as QCD summarising the current state of the art. We introduce the renormalisation scale setting problem in QCD and we give an illustration of the possible optimisation procedures currently in use.

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arXiv2025

Scheme-independent determination of the QCD running coupling at all scales from jet observables using the principle of maximum conformality and infinite-order scale setting

We present a new approach to determining the strong coupling $α_s(Q)$, over the entire range of validity of perturbative QCD, for scales above $Λ_{\mathrm{QCD}}$ and up to the Planck scale $\sim1.22\cdot10^{19}$\,GeV, with the highest precision and using the data of a single experiment. In particular, we use the results obtained for the thrust ($T$) and $C$-parameter ($C$) distributions in $e^+e^-$ annihilation at a single annihilation energy $\sqrt{s}=M_Z$ (i.e.\ at the $Z^0$ peak). This new method is based on the \emph{intrinsic conformality} (iCF) and on the Infinite-Order Scale Setting, using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (i.e.\ the PMC$_\infty$), which allows a rigorous determination of the renormalization scales for the event-shape variable distributions satisfying all of the requirements of Renormalization Group Invariance, including renormalization-scheme independence and consistency with Abelian theory in the $N_C \to 0$ limit. This new method is based on the scale-invariance of the iCF, which allows determination of $α_s(μ_0)$ at any scale $μ_0$, and on the Maximum Likelihood statistical approach. We propose a novel approach to determining the best-fitting range by considering all possible intervals over the entire range of bins available in the perturbative region and selecting that which returns the most-likely-lowest $χ^2_{\rm min}$. This new method is designed to eliminate the errors that arise due to selection of the bin-interval and that have been neglected in previous analyses. In particular, using data for thrust and $C$-parameter at the $Z^0$ peak from ALEPH, OPAL, DELPHI and L3 experiments, we obtain the average value: $α_s(M_Z)= 0.1182^{+0.0007}_{-0.0007}$, for the strong coupling. This determination of $α_s(M_Z)$ is consistent with the world average...

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arXiv2025

A reanalysis of event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation

Theoretical calculations for event shape observables are often determined by using the conventional scale setting; i.e. the procedure defined by setting the renormalization scale to the center-of-mass energy $μ_r=\sqrt{s}$ and evaluating theoretical uncertainties by varying the same scale $μ_r$ in an arbitrary range. Both the event shape distributions and the extracted QCD coupling $α_s$ are plagued by the large renormalization scale uncertainties when using the conventional scale setting. The Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) provides a rigorous method to eliminate the renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities in perturbative QCD predictions. In this paper, we perform a detailed analysis of the event shape observables by applying the PMC method together with the use of the physical $V$-scheme. The PMC scales are not simple single-valued functions, but depend with continuity on the value of the unintegrated event shape variable. This reflects the virtuality of the underlying quark and gluon subprocess and yields to a physical behavior of the scale all over the entire range of each observable. Moreover, the PMC scales in the $V$-scheme exhibits a faster increase compared to the $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme, and a better convergence in the perturbative series can be obtained. Results obtained by the PMC method for the event shape variables, thrust ($T$), heavy jet mass ($ρ=M^2_H/s$), wide jet broadening ($B_W$), total jet broadening ($B_T$), C-parameter ($C$), are in agreement with the high precision experimental data, and for the case of the jet transition variable $Y_3$, we obtain a first improvement in the results to some extent compared with the $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme.

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arXiv2025

Self-consistent analysis for the $η_c\rightarrow γγ$ process

The next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO) pQCD predictions for both the decay width and the transition form factor in the $η_c\rightarrow γγ$ process, based on nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD), deviate from precise experimental measurements. These significant discrepancies have cast doubt on the applicability of NRQCD to charmonium processes. In this paper, we analyze the $η_c\rightarrow γγ$ process by applying the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC), a systematic method for eliminating renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities. The PMC renormalization scales are determined by absorbing the non-conformal $β$ terms which govern the behavior of the QCD running coupling via the Renormalization Group Equation. We obtain the PMC scale $Q_\star=4.49\,m_c$ for the $η_c\rightarrow γγ$ decay width. Even after using the PMC method, the convergence of the pQCD series is still poor, which indicates the importance of uncalculated NNNLO and higher-order terms. The resulting value for $Γ_{η_c\rightarrow γγ}$ is in agreement with the Particle Data Group's reported value of $Γ_{η_c\rightarrow γγ}=5.1\pm0.4$ keV within the bounds of uncertainties. Moreover, the transition form factor obtained using the PMC is also in good agreement with precise experimental measurements. The application of the PMC suggests a potential resolution to $η_c\rightarrow γγ$ puzzle and supports the applicability of NRQCD to charmonium processes.

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arXiv2025

The Principle of Maximum Conformality Correctly Resolves the Renormalization-Scheme-Dependence Problem

In this paper, we clarify a serious misinterpretation and consequent misuse of the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC), which also can be served as a mini review of PMC. We emphasize that the purpose of the PMC is to achieve precise fixed-order pQCD predictions, free from conventional renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities. We demonstrate that the PMC predictions satisfy all of the self-consistency conditions of the renormalization group and standard renormalization-group invariance; the PMC predictions are thus independent of any initial choice of renormalization scheme and scale. The scheme independence of the PMC is also ensured by commensurate scale relations which relate different observables to each other. Moreover, in the Abelian limit, the PMC dovetails into the well-known Gell-Mann--Low framework, a method universally revered for its precision in QED calculations. Due to the elimination of factorially-divergent renormalon terms, the PMC series not only attains a convergence behavior far superior to that of its conventional counterparts but also deftly curtails any residual scale dependence caused by the unknown higher-order terms. This refined convergence, coupled with its robust suppression of residual uncertainties, furnishes a sound and reliable foundation for estimating the contributions from unknown higher-order terms. Anchored in the bedrock of standard renormalization group invariance, the PMC simultaneously eradicates the factorial divergences and eliminates superfluous systematic errors, which inversely provides a good foundation for achieving high-precision pQCD predictions. Consequently, owing to its rigorous theoretical underpinnings, the PMC is eminently applicable to virtually all high-energy hadronic processes.

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arXiv2023

High precision tests of QCD without scale or scheme ambiguities

A key issue in making precise predictions in QCD is the uncertainty in setting the renormalization scale $μ_R$ and thus determining the correct values of the QCD running coupling $α_s(μ_R^2)$ at each order in the perturbative expansion of a QCD observable. It has often been conventional to simply set the renormalization scale to the typical scale of the process $Q$ and vary it in the range $μ_R \in [Q/2,2Q]$ in order to estimate the theoretical error. This is the practice of Conventional Scale Setting (CSS). The resulting CSS prediction will however depend on the theorist's choice of renormalization scheme and the resulting pQCD series will diverge factorially. It will also disagree with renormalization scale setting used in QED and electroweak theory thus precluding grand unification. A solution to the renormalization scale-setting problem is offered by the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC), which provides a systematic way to eliminate the renormalization scale-and-scheme dependence in perturbative calculations. The PMC method has rigorous theoretical foundations, it satisfies Renormalization Group Invariance (RGI) and preserves all self-consistency conditions derived from the renormalization group. The PMC cancels the renormalon growth, reduces to the Gell-Mann--Low scheme in the $N_C\to 0$ Abelian limit and leads to scale- and scheme-invariant results. The PMC has now been successfully applied to many high-energy processes. In this article we summarize recent developments and results in solving the renormalization scale and scheme ambiguities in perturbative QCD. [full abstract is in the paper].

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arXiv2023

Elimination of QCD Renormalization Scale and Scheme Ambiguities

We present results for the thrust distribution in the electron positron annihilation to the three jet process at NNLO in the perturbative conformal window of QCD, as a function of the number of flavors $N_f$. Given the existence of an infrared interacting fixed point in this region, we can compare the Conventional Scale Setting (CSS) and the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC$_\infty$) methods along the entire renormalization group flow from the highest energies to zero energy. We then consider also the QED thrust, obtained as the limit $N_c \rightarrow 0$ of the number of colors and we show analogous comparison. QED in the low energy regime develops an infrared non-interacting fixed point. Using these quantum field theory limits as theoretical laboratories, we arrive at interesting results showing new features of the PMC$_\infty$.

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arXiv2023

Elimination of QCD Renormalization Scale and Scheme Ambiguities

The setting of the renormalization scale ($μ_r$) in the perturbative QCD (pQCD) is one of the crucial problems for achieving precise fixed-order pQCD predictions. The conventional prescription is to take its value as the typical momentum transfer $Q$ in a given process, and theoretical uncertainties are then evaluated by varying it over an arbitrary range. The conventional scale-setting procedure introduces arbitrary scheme-and-scale ambiguities in fixed-order pQCD predictions. The principle of maximum conformality (PMC) provides a systematic way to eliminate the renormalization scheme-and-scale ambiguities. The PMC method has rigorous theoretical foundations; it satisfies the renormalization group invariance (RGI) and all of the self-consistency conditions derived from the renormalization group. The PMC has now been successfully applied to many physical processes. In this paper, we summarize recent PMC applications, including event shape observables and heavy quark pair production near the threshold region in $e^+e^-$ annihilation and top-quark decay at hadronic colliders. In addition, estimating the contributions related to the uncalculated higher-order terms is also summarized. These results show that the major theoretical uncertainties caused by different choices of $μ_r$ are eliminated, and the improved pQCD predictions are thus obtained, demonstrating the generality and applicability of the PMC.

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arXiv2023

Detailed Comparison of Renormalization Scale-Setting Procedures based on the Principle of Maximum Conformality

The {\it Principle of Maximum Conformality} (PMC), which generalizes the conventional Gell-Mann-Low method for scale-setting in perturbative QED to non-Abelian QCD, provides a rigorous method for achieving unambiguous scheme-independent, fixed-order predictions for physical observables consistent with the principles of the renormalization group. In addition to the original multi-scale-setting approach (PMCm), two variations of the PMC have been proposed to deal with ambiguities associated with the uncalculated higher order terms in the pQCD series, i.e. the single-scale-setting approach (PMCs) and the procedures based on ``intrinsic conformality" (PMC$_\infty$). In this paper, we will give a detailed comparison of these PMC approaches by comparing their predictions for three important quantities $R_{e^+e^-}$, $R_τ$, and $Γ(H \to b \bar{b})$ up to four-loop pQCD corrections. The PMCs approach determines an overall effective running coupling $α_s(Q)$ by the recursive use of the renormalization group equation, whose argument $Q$ represents the actual momentum flow of the process. Our numerical results show that the PMCs method, which involves a somewhat simpler analysis, can serve as a reliable substitute for the full multi-scale PMCm method, and that it leads to more precise pQCD predictions with small residual scale dependence.

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arXiv2022

New analyses of event shape observables in electron-positron annihilation and the determination of $α_s$ running behavior in perturbative domain

In this paper, we give comprehensive analyses for event shape observables in electron-positron annihilation by using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) which is a rigorous scale-setting method to eliminate the renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities in perturbative QCD predictions. Conventionally the renormalization scale and theoretical uncertainties in event shape observables are often evaluated by setting the scale to the center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$. The event shape distributions using this conventional scale setting are plagued by the large renormalization scale uncertainty and underestimate the experimental data. Moreover, since the renormalization scale is simply fixed to the center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$, only one value of the coupling $α_s$ at the single scale $\sqrt{s}$ can be extracted. In contrast, the PMC renormalization scales are determined by absorbing the nonconformal $β$ contributions that govern the behavior of the running coupling via the Renormalization Group Equation (RGE). The resulting PMC scales change with event shape kinematics, reflecting the virtuality of the underlying quark and gluon subprocess. The PMC scales thus yield the correct physical behavior of the scale and the PMC predictions agree with precise event shape distributions measured at the LEP experiment. More importantly, we can precisely determine the running of the QCD coupling constant $α_s(Q^2)$ over a wide range of $Q^2$ in perturbative domain from event shape distributions measured at a single center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$.

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arXiv2022

The Renormalization Scale Setting Problem in QCD [Ph.D. Thesis]

A key issue in making precise predictions in perturbative QCD is the uncertainty in setting the renormalization scale. If in principle, the entire perturbative series is void of this issue, in practice the perturbative corrections are known up to a certain order of accuracy and scale invariance is only approximated leading to the so-called scheme and scale ambiguities. According to the conventional scale setting (CSS) this problem cannot be avoided and the renormalization scale is set to the typical scale of a process $Q$, and errors are estimated by varying the scale over a range of two $[Q/2;2Q]$. This method is not void of ambiguities and leads to predictions affected by large theoretical errors. Other strategies for the optimization of the truncated expansion, such as the Principle of Minimal Sensitivity (PMS) and the Fastest Apparent Convergence (FAC) criterion, have the same difficulties of CSS and lead to incorrect and unphysical results. In general a scale-setting procedure is considered reliable if it preserves important self-consistency requirements such as all the renormalization group properties. Other requirements are suggested by known tested theories, by the convergence behavior of the series or by phenomenological results and scheme independence. All theoretical requirements for a reliable scale-setting procedure can be satisfied at once, leading to accurate results by using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC). This method generalizes the Brodsky-Lepage-Mackenzie (BLM) method to all orders and to all observables and in the perspective of a theory unifying all interactions, such as the grand unified theory (GUT), the PMC offers the possibility to apply the same method in all sectors of a theory, starting from first principles, eliminating the renormalon growth, the scheme and scale ambiguities, and satisfying the QED Gell-Mann-Low scheme in the $N_c\to 0$ limit.

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arXiv2021

Thrust Distribution for 3-Jet Production from $e^+e^-$ Annihilation within the QCD Conformal Window and in QED

We investigate the theoretical predictions for thrust distribution in the electron positron annihilation to three-jets process at NNLO for different values of the number of flavors, $N_f$. To determine the distribution along the entire renormalization group flow from the highest energies to zero energy we consider the number of flavors near the upper boundary of the conformal window. In this regime of number of flavors the theory develops a perturbative infrared interacting fixed point. We then consider also the QED thrust obtained as the limit $N_c \rightarrow 0$ of the number of colors. In this case the low energy limit is governed by an infrared free theory. Using these quantum field theories limits as theoretical laboratories we arrive at an interesting comparison between the Conventional Scale Setting - (CSS) and the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC$_\infty$) methods. We show that within the perturbative regime of the conformal window and also out of the conformal window the PMC$_\infty$ leads to a higher precision, and that reducing the number of flavors, from the upper boundary to the lower boundary, through the phase transition the curves given by the PMC$_\infty$ method preserve with continuity the position of the peak, showing perfect agreement with the experimental data already at NNLO.

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arXiv2021

PMC$_\infty$: Infinite-Order Scale-Setting method using the Principle of Maximum Conformality and preserving the Intrinsic Conformality

We show results for Thrust and C-parameter in $e^+ e^-$ annihilation to 3 jets obtained using the recently developed new method for eliminating the scale ambiguity and the scheme dependence in pQCD namely the Infinite-Order Scale-Setting method using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC$_\infty$). This method preserves an important underlying property of gauge theories: intrinsic Conformality (iCF). It leads to a remarkably efficient method to eliminate the conventional renormalization scale ambiguity at any order in pQCD. A comparison with Conventional Scale Setting method (CSS) is also shown.

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arXiv2020

Renormalization Scale Setting for Heavy Quark Pair Production in $e^+e^-$ Annihilation near the Threshold Region

Heavy fermion pair production in $e^+e^-$ annihilation is a fundamental process in hadron physics and is of considerable interest for various phenomena. In this paper, we will apply the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) to provide a comprehensive analysis of these processes. The PMC provides a systematic, unambiguous method for determining the renormalization scales of the QCD coupling constant for single-scale and multiple-scale applications. The resulting predictions eliminate any renormalization scheme-and-scale ambiguities, eliminate the factorial renormalon divergences, and are consistent with the requirements of the renormalization group. It is remarkable that two distinctly different scales are determined by using the PMC for heavy fermion pair production near the threshold region. One scale is the order of the fermion mass $m_f$, which enters the hard virtual corrections, and the other scale is of order $ v\,m_f$, where $v$ is the quark velocity, which enters the Coulomb rescattering amplitude. The PMC scales yield the correct physical behavior and reflect the virtuality of the propagating gluons (photons) for the QCD (QED) processes. Moreover, we demonstrate the consistency of PMC scale setting from QCD to QED. Perfect agreement between the Abelian unambiguous Gell-Mann-Low and the PMC scale-setting methods in the limit of zero number of colors is demonstrated.

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arXiv2020

PMC$_\infty$: Infinite-Order Scale-Setting using the Principle of Maximum Conformality, A Remarkably Efficient Method for Eliminating Renormalization Scale Ambiguities for Perturbative QCD

We identify a property of renormalizable SU(N)/U(1) gauge theories, the intrinsic Conformality ($iCF$), which underlies the scale invariance of physical observables and leads to a remarkably efficient method to solve the conventional renormalization scale ambiguity at every order in pQCD: the PMC$_\infty$. This new method reflects the underlying conformal properties displayed by pQCD at NNLO, eliminates the scheme dependence of pQCD predictions and is consistent with the general properties of the PMC (Principle of Maximum Conformality). We introduce a new method to identify conformal and $β$-terms which can be applied either to numerical or to theoretical calculations. We illustrate the PMC$_\infty$ for the thrust and C-parameter distributions in $e^+ e^-$ annihilation and then we show how to apply this new method to general observables in QCD. We point out how the implementation of the PMC$_\infty$ can significantly improve the precision of pQCD predictions; its implementation in multi-loop analysis also simplifies the calculation of higher orders corrections in a general renormalizable gauge theory.

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