arXiv subjects

Leonardo Vernazza

Publications and source records attributed to Leonardo Vernazza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Jet functions for next-to-leading power factorization

We discuss the factorization of scattering processes near partonic threshold at next-to-leading power (NLP) in the threshold variable $1-z$, with $z \equiv q^2/\hat{s}$. We review the general structure of power-suppressed contributions both in Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) and in a direct QCD approach, and discuss the definition of NLP jet functions as gauge-invariant operator matrix elements in QCD. As a controlled check of the resulting factorization formula, we verify it explicitly at one and two loops for the massive electromagnetic form factor in the limit $m^2 \ll s$, using the method of regions. We conclude by outlining the two challenges that remain for a systematic resummation of NLP logarithms: the treatment of endpoint divergences in SCET convolutions, and the extension of jet functions to radiative processes capable of describing an arbitrary number of soft-gluon emissions -- the latter being the last missing ingredient for exponentiation, given that the purely soft sector is already understood in terms of generalised webs via the replica trick.

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arXiv2025

Infrared singularities and the collinear limits of multi-leg scattering amplitudes

Scattering amplitudes are expected to admit a factorised structure in special kinematic limits, such as the Regge, soft and collinear limits. However, less is known about the precise mechanisms through which factorisation of $n$-particle scattering amplitudes is realised at high perturbative orders, where more complex structures arise. Starting with the soft anomalous dimension, in this work we investigate the multi-particle collinear limits of massless amplitudes at three- and four-loop orders. Using colour conservation and rescaling symmetry, we show how strict collinear factorisation of multiple massless final-state coloured particles is realised, and provide results for the corresponding splitting amplitude soft anomalous dimensions. In particular, we demonstrate through four loops that the conditions on the structure of the soft anomalous dimension that are required by strict collinear factorisation in all two-particle collinear limits, are sufficient to guarantee such factorisation also in any multiple collinear limit. Then, assuming that strict collinear factorisation of massless partons holds also for amplitudes containing massive coloured particles, we derive new constraints on the soft anomalous dimension from multi-collinear limits.

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arXiv2025

Next-to-leading power jet functions in the small-mass limit in QED

We investigate the factorization properties of the massive fermion form factor in QED, to next-to-leading power in the fermion mass, and up to two-loop order. For this purpose we define new jet functions that have multiple connections to the hard part as operator matrix elements, and compute them to second order in the coupling. We test our factorization formula using these new jet functions in a region-based analysis and find that factorization indeed holds. We address a number of subtle aspects such as rapidity regulators and external line corrections, and we find an interesting sequence of relations among the jet functions.

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arXiv2024

The Two-Loop Lipatov Vertex in QCD

High-energy factorization of 2 -> 2 amplitudes in QCD has been recently pushed to the next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic order by determining the three-loop gluon Regge trajectory. This was based on computing multi-Reggeon exchanges using rapidity evolution in the shock-wave formalism, and disentangling between the Regge pole and Regge cut contributions. In the present paper we extend the relevant theoretical framework to 2 -> 3 processes, and compute all multi-Reggeon exchanges necessary for extracting the two-loop Reggeon-gluon-Reggeon Lipatov vertex from 2 -> 3 amplitudes. Then, specializing general amplitude methods to multi-Regge kinematics, we derive analytic expressions for non-planar two-loop gg -> ggg, gq -> ggq and qq -> qgq QCD amplitudes in that limit. Matching these to the multi-Reggeon computation, we determine the QCD Lipatov vertex in dimensional regularization at two loops through finite terms. We also determine the one-loop vertex through O(epsilon^4). All results are expressed in a compact form in terms of a basis of single-valued generalised polylogarithms, manifesting target-projectile symmetry and reality properties. Furthermore, our basis of functions is explicitly finite in the soft limit, featuring delicate cancellation of spurious rational poles by transcendental functions. Agreement between all three partonic channels, as well agreement of the maximal weight contributions with the super Yang-Mills Lipatov vertex provide robust checks of the result.

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arXiv2024

Regge poles and cuts and the Lipatov vertex

Scattering amplitudes in the high-energy limit can be described in terms of their singularity structure in the complex angular momentum plane, consisting of Regge poles and cuts. In QCD, gluon Reggeization has long been understood as a manifestation of a Regge pole, but until recently Reggeization violation remained largely obscure. New methods, based on iterative solution of rapidity evolution equations, facilitate direct computation of components of the amplitude which are mediated by multi-Reggeon exchange, a manifestation of Regge cuts. Upon disentangling the Regge cut from the pole we are now able to extract the pole parameters from state-of-the-art fixed-order computations (3 loops) and make predictions regarding certain components of the amplitude to higher loop orders. In this talk I review the key ideas which led to this progress, describe where we stand in exploring the structure of 2 -> 2 and 2 -> 3 amplitudes in the (multi-) Regge limit, and comment on the interplay between this research and the study of infrared factorization.

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arXiv2024

Region analysis of QED massive fermion form factor

We perform an analysis of the one- and two-loop massive quark form factor in QED in a region expansion, up to next-to-leading power in the quark mass. This yields an extensive set of regional integrals, categorized into three topologies, against which factorization theorems at next-to-leading power could be tested. Our analysis reveals a number of subtle aspects involving rapidity regulators, as well as additional regions that manifest themselves only beyond one loop, at the level of single diagrams, but which cancel in the form factor.

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arXiv2024

Factorization and resummation at next-to-leading-power

We discuss recent progress concerning the resummation of large logarithms at next-to-leading power (NLP) in scattering processes such as Drell-Yan and deep inelastic scattering near threshold, and thrust in the two-jet limit. We start by reviewing the approach based on soft-collinear effective field theory and show that the standard factorization into short distance coefficients, collinear and soft functions at NLP leads in general to the appearance of endpoint divergences, which prevent the naive application of resummation techniques based on the renormalization group. Taking thrust as a case study, we then show that these singularities are indeed an artifact of the effective theory, and discuss how they can be removed to recover a finite factorization theorem and achieve resummation at NLP, at LL accuracy. Last, we discuss recent work concerning the calculation of all collinear and soft functions necessary to reproduce Drell-Yan near threshold up to NNLO in perturbation theory. This calculation provides useful data to extend resummation at NLP beyond LL accuracy.

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arXiv2024

Threshold factorization of the Drell-Yan quark-gluon channel and two-loop soft function at next-to-leading power

We present a factorization theorem of the partonic Drell-Yan off-diagonal processes $g\bar{q}\,(qg) \to γ^* + X$ in the kinematic threshold regime $z=Q^2/\hat{s} \to 1$ at general subleading powers in the $(1-z)$ expansion. Focusing on the first order of the expansion (next-to-leading power accuracy with respect to the leading power $q \bar{q}$ channel), we validate the bare factorization formula up to $\mathcal{O}(α^2_s)$. This is achieved by carrying out an explicit calculation of the generalized soft function in $d$-dimensions using the reduction to master integrals and the differential equations method. The collinear function is a universal object which we compute from an operator matching equation at one-loop level. Next, we integrate the soft and collinear functions over the convolution variables and remove the remaining initial state collinear singularities through PDF renormalization. The resulting expression agrees with the known cross section in the literature.

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arXiv2023

Exponentiation of soft quark effects from the replica trick

In this paper, we show that multiple maximally soft (anti-)quark and gluon emissions exponentiate at the level of either the amplitude or cross-section. We first show that such emissions can be captured by introducing new soft emission operators, which serve to generalise the well-known Wilson lines describing emissions of maximally soft gluons. Next, we prove that vacuum expectation values of these operators exponentiate using the replica trick, a statistical-physics argument that has previously been used to demonstrate soft-gluon exponentiation properties in QCD. The obtained results are general, i.e. not tied to a particular scattering process. We illustrate our arguments by demonstrating the exponentiation of certain real and virtual corrections affecting subleading partonic channels in deep-inelastic scattering.

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arXiv2023

Next-to-leading power resummed rapidity distributions near threshold for Drell-Yan and diphoton production

We consider Drell-Yan production and QCD-induced diphoton production and compute their rapidity distributions up to next-to-leading power (NLP) in the threshold variable. We give results for rapidity distributions of the Drell-Yan process up to NNLO accuracy and show that a factorised structure occurs for the leading logarithms (LL) at NLP, generalising the result at leading power. For diphoton production, we generalise methods based on kinematical shifts to find the NLO cross section up to NLP for rapidity distributions. From the results for these two processes, we derive resummed cross sections at NLP LL accuracy that are double differential in the threshold variable and the rapidity variable, which generalise results for single differential resummed cross sections.

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arXiv2022

Theory Techniques for Precision Physics -- Snowmass 2021 TF06 Topical Group Report

The wealth of experimental data collected at laboratory experiments suggests that there is some scale separation between the Standard Model (SM) and phenomena beyond the SM (BSM). New phenomena can manifest itself as small corrections to SM predictions, or as signals in processes where the SM predictions vanish or are exceedingly small. This makes precise calculations of the SM expectations essential, in order to maximize the sensitivity of current and forthcoming experiments to BSM physics. This topical group report highlights some past and forthcoming theory developments critical for maximizing the sensitivity of the experimental program to understanding Nature at the shortest distances.

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arXiv2022

Threshold resummation of quark-gluon partonic channels at next-to-leading power

We discuss recent progress concerning the resummation of large logarithms at next-to-leading power (NLP) in scattering processes near threshold. We begin by briefly reviewing the diagrammatic and SCET approach, which are used to derive factorization theorems for physical observables in this kinematic limit. Then, we focus on the quark-gluon channel in deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan. We show that the use of consistency conditions for the cancellation of leading poles in the hadronic cross section can be used to achieve the resummation of large leading logarithms (LLs) at NLP, both within diagrammatic and SCET methods. In this context it is also possible to investigate the problem of endpoint divergences appearing at NLP in SCET, and relate its solution to the concept of re-factorization.

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arXiv2022

Endpoint factorization and next-to-leading power resummation of gluon thrust

Endpoint divergences in the convolution integrals appearing in next-to-leading-power factorization theorems prevent a straightforward application of standard methods to resum large logarithmic power-suppressed corrections in collider physics. We study the power-suppressed configuration of the thrust distribution in the two-jet region, where a gluon-initiated jet recoils against a quark-antiquark pair. With the aid of operatorial endpoint factorization conditions, we derive a factorization formula where the individual terms are free from endpoint divergences and can be written in terms of renormalized hard, (anti) collinear, and soft functions in four dimensions. This framework enables us to perform the first resummation of the endpoint-divergent SCET$_{\rm I}$ observables at the leading logarithmic accuracy using exclusively renormalization-group methods.

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arXiv2022

High-energy limit of $2\to 2$ scattering amplitudes at NNLL

The high-energy limit of $2\to 2$ scattering amplitudes offers an excellent setting to explore the universal features of gauge theories. At Leading Logarithmic (LL) accuracy the partonic amplitude is governed by Regge poles in the complex angular momentum plane. Beyond LL, Regge cuts in this plane begin to play an important role. Specifically, the real part of the amplitude at Next-to-Next-to-Leading Logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy presents for the first time both a Regge pole and a Regge cut. Analysing this tower of logarithms and computing it explicitly through four loops we are able to systematically separate between the Regge pole and the Regge cut. The former involves two fundamental parameters, namely the gluon Regge trajectory and impact factors. We explain how to consistently define the impact factors at two loops and the Regge trajectory at three loops. We confirm that the singularities of the trajectory are given by the cusp anomalous dimension. We also show that the Regge-cut contribution at four loop is nonplanar.

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arXiv2022

Snowmass 2021 White Paper: Resummation for future colliders

Resummation techniques are essential for high-precision phenomenology at current and future high-energy collider experiments. Perturbative computations of cross sections often suffer from large logarithmic corrections, which must be resummed to all orders to restore the reliability of predictions from first principles. The precise understanding of the all-order structure of field theories allows for fundamental tests of the Standard Model and new physics searches. In this white paper, we review recent progress in modern resummation techniques and outline future directions. In particular, we focus on the resummation beyond leading power, the joint resummation of different classes of logarithms relevant for jets and their substructure, small-$x$ resummation in the high-energy regime and the QCD fragmentation process in the small-$z_h$ limit.

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arXiv2022

Disentangling the Regge cut and Regge pole in perturbative QCD

The high-energy limit of gauge-theory amplitudes features both a Regge pole and Regge cuts. We show how to disentangle these, and hence how to determine the Regge trajectory beyond two loops. While the nonplanar part of multiple Reggeon $t$-channel exchange forms a Regge cut, the planar part contributes to the pole along with the single Reggeon. With this, we find that the infrared singularities of the trajectory are given by the cusp anomalous dimension. By matching to recent QCD results, we determine the quark and gluon impact factors to two loops and the Regge trajectory to three loops.

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arXiv2022

Scattering amplitudes in the Regge limit and the soft anomalous dimension through four loops

Using rapidity evolution equations we study two-to-two gauge-theory scattering amplitudes in the Regge limit. We carry out explicit computations at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy through four loops and present new results for both infrared-singular and finite contributions to the amplitude. New techniques are devised in order to derive the colour structure stemming from three-Reggeon exchange diagrams in terms of commutators of channel operators, obtaining results that are valid for any gauge group, and apply to scattered particles in any colour representation. We also elucidate the separation between contributions to the Regge cut and Regge pole in the real part of the amplitude to all loop orders. We show that planar contributions due to multiple-Reggeon exchange diagrams can be factorised as a Regge pole along with the single-Reggeon exchange, and when this is done, the singular part of the gluon Regge trajectory is directly determined by the cusp anomalous dimension. We explicitly compute the Regge cut component of the amplitude through four loops and show that it is non-planar. From a different perspective, the new results provide important information on soft singularities in general kinematics beyond the planar limit: by comparing the computed corrections to the general form of the four-loop soft anomalous dimension we derive powerful constraints on its kinematic dependence, opening the way for a bootstrap-based determination.

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arXiv2022

The Soft Anomalous Dimension at four loops in the Regge Limit

The soft anomalous dimension governs the infrared divergences of scattering amplitudes in general kinematics to all orders in perturbation theory. By comparing the recent Regge-limit results for $2\to2$ scattering (through Next-to-Next-to-Leading Logarithms) in full colour to a general form for the soft anomalous dimension at four loops we derive powerful constraints on its kinematic dependence, opening the way for a bootstrap-based determination.

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