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Pierpaolo Mastrolia

Publications and source records attributed to Pierpaolo Mastrolia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2022

Intersection Numbers in Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory

By elaborating on the recent progress made in the area of Feynman integrals, we apply the intersection theory for twisted de Rham cohomologies to simple integrals involving orthogonal polynomials, matrix elements of operators in Quantum Mechanics and Green's functions in Field Theory, showing that the algebraic identities they obey are related to the decomposition of twisted cocycles within cohomology groups, and which, therefore, can be derived by means of intersection numbers. Our investigation suggests an algebraic approach generically applicable to the study of higher-order moments of probability distributions, where the dimension of the cohomology groups corresponds to the number of independent moments; the intersection numbers for twisted cocycles can be used to derive linear and quadratic relations among them. Our study offers additional evidence of the intertwinement between physics, geometry, and statistics.

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

Gravitational Quadratic-in-Spin Hamiltonian at NNNLO in the post-Newtonian framework

We present the result of the quadratic-in-spin interaction Hamiltonian for binary systems of rotating compact objects with generic spins, up to NNNLO corrections within the post-Newtonian expansion. The calculation is performed by employing the effective field theory diagrammatic approach, and it involves Feynman integrals up to three loops, evaluated within the dimensional regularization scheme. The gauge-invariant binding energy and the scattering angle, in special kinematic regimes and spin configurations, are explicitly derived. The results extend our earlier study on the spin-orbit interaction effects.

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

Master integrals for the NNLO virtual corrections to $μe$ scattering in QED: the planar graphs

We evaluate the master integrals for the two-loop, planar box-diagrams contributing to the elastic scattering of muons and electrons at next-to-next-to leading-order in QED. We adopt the method of differential equations and the Magnus exponential series to determine a canonical set of integrals, finally expressed as a Taylor series around four space-time dimensions, with coefficients written as combination of generalised polylogarithms. The electron is treated as massless, while we retain full dependence on the muon mass. The considered integrals are also relevant for crossing-related processes, such as di-muon production at $e^+ e^-$-colliders, as well as for the QCD corrections to $top$-pair production at hadron colliders.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2022

Two-loop scattering amplitude for heavy-quark pair production through light-quark annihilation in QCD

We present the first full analytic evaluation of the scattering amplitude for the process $q {\bar q} \to Q {\bar Q}$ up-to two loops in Quantum Chromodynamics, for a massless $(q)$ and a massive $(Q)$ quark flavour. The interference terms of the one- and two-loop amplitudes with the Born amplitude, decomposed in terms of gauge invariant form factors depending on the colour and flavour structure, are analytically calculated by keeping complete dependence on the squared center-of-mass energy, the squared momentum transfer, and the heavy-quark mass. The results are expressed as Laurent series around four space-time dimensions, with coefficients given in terms of generalised polylogarithms and transcendental constants up-to weight four. Our results validate the known, purely numerical calculations of the squared amplitude, and extend the analytic knowledge, previously limited to a subset of form factors, to their whole set, coming from both planar and non-planar diagrams, up-to the second order corrections in the strong coupling constant.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2021

Two-photon exchange in leptophilic dark matter scenarios

In leptophilic scenarios, dark matter interactions with nuclei, relevant for direct detection experiments and for the capture by celestial objects, could only occur via loop-induced processes. If the mediator is a scalar or pseudo-scalar particle, which only couples to leptons, the dominant contribution to dark matter-nucleus scattering would take place via two-photon exchange with a lepton triangle loop. The corresponding diagrams have been estimated in the literature under different approximations. Here, we present new analytical calculations for one-body two-loop and two-body one-loop interactions. The two-loop form factors are presented in closed analytical form in terms of generalized polylogarithms up to weight four. In both cases, we consider the exact dependence on all the involved scales, and study the dependence on the momentum transfer. We show that some previous approximations fail to correctly predict the scattering cross section by several orders of magnitude. Moreover, we show that form factors, in the range of momentum transfer relevant for local galactic dark matter, are smaller than their value at zero momentum transfer, which is usually considered.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2021

Decomposition of Feynman Integrals by Multivariate Intersection Numbers

We present a detailed description of the recent idea for a direct decomposition of Feynman integrals onto a basis of master integrals by projections, as well as a direct derivation of the differential equations satisfied by the master integrals, employing multivariate intersection numbers. We discuss a recursive algorithm for the computation of multivariate intersection numbers and provide three different approaches for a direct decomposition of Feynman integrals, which we dub the straight decomposition, the bottom-up decomposition, and the top-down decomposition. These algorithms exploit the unitarity structure of Feynman integrals by computing intersection numbers supported on cuts, in various orders, thus showing the synthesis of the intersection-theory concepts with unitarity-based methods and integrand decomposition. We perform explicit computations to exemplify all of these approaches applied to Feynman integrals, paving a way towards potential applications to generic multi-loop integrals.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

Gravitational scattering at the seventh order in $G$: nonlocal contribution at the sixth post-Newtonian accuracy

A recently introduced approach to the classical gravitational dynamics of binary systems involves intricate integrals (linked to a combination of nonlocal-in-time interactions with iterated $\frac1r$-potential scattering) which have so far resisted attempts at their analytical evaluation. By using computing techniques developed for the evaluation of multi-loop Feynman integrals (notably Harmonic Polylogarithms and Mellin transform) we show how to analytically compute all the integrals entering the nonlocal-in-time contribution to the classical scattering angle at the sixth post-Newtonian accuracy, and at the seventh order in Newton's constant, $G$ (corresponding to six-loop graphs in the diagrammatic representation of the classical scattering angle).

gr-qc↗
arXiv2020

Gravitational dynamics at $O(G^6)$: perturbative gravitational scattering meets experimental mathematics

A recently introduced approach to the gravitational dynamics of binary systems involves intricate integrals, linked to nonlocal-in-time interactions arising at the 5-loop level of classical gravitational scattering. We complete the analytical evaluation of classical gravitational scattering at the sixth order in Newton's constant, $G$, and at the sixth post-Newtonian accuracy. We use computing techniques developed for the evaluation of multi-loop Feynman integrals to obtain our results in two ways: high-precision arithmetic, yielding reconstructed analytic expressions, and direct integration {\it via} Harmonic Polylogarithms. The analytic expression of the tail contribution to the scattering involve transcendental constants up to weight four.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Static two-body potential at fifth post-Newtonian order

We determine the gravitational interaction between two compact bodies up to the sixth power in Newton's constant GN, in the static limit. This result is achieved within the effective field theory approach to General Relativity, and exploits a manifest factorization property of static diagrams which allows to derive static post Newtonian (PN) contributions of (2n+1)-order in terms of lower order ones. We recompute in this fashion the 1PN and 3PN static potential, and present the novel 5PN contribution.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Vector Space of Feynman Integrals and Multivariate Intersection Numbers

Feynman integrals obey linear relations governed by intersection numbers, which act as scalar products between vector spaces. We present a general algorithm for constructing multivariate intersection numbers relevant to Feynman integrals, and show for the first time how they can be used to solve the problem of integral reduction to a basis of master integrals by projections, and to directly derive functional equations fulfilled by the latter. We apply it to the derivation of contiguity relations for special functions admitting multi-fold integral representations, and to the decomposition of a few Feynman integrals at one- and two-loops, as first steps towards potential applications to generic multi-loop integrals.

hep-th↗
arXiv2019

Decomposition of Feynman Integrals on the Maximal Cut by Intersection Numbers

We elaborate on the recent idea of a direct decomposition of Feynman integrals onto a basis of master integrals on maximal cuts using intersection numbers. We begin by showing an application of the method to the derivation of contiguity relations for special functions, such as the Euler beta function, the Gauss ${}_2F_1$ hypergeometric function, and the Appell $F_1$ function. Then, we apply the new method to decompose Feynman integrals whose maximal cuts admit 1-form integral representations, including examples that have from two to an arbitrary number of loops, and/or from zero to an arbitrary number of legs. Direct constructions of differential equations and dimensional recurrence relations for Feynman integrals are also discussed. We present two novel approaches to decomposition-by-intersections in cases where the maximal cuts admit a 2-form integral representation, with a view towards the extension of the formalism to $n$-form representations. The decomposition formulae computed through the use of intersection numbers are directly verified to agree with the ones obtained using integration-by-parts identities.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2019

Master integrals for the NNLO virtual corrections to $q \bar{q} \rightarrow t \bar{t}$ scattering in QCD: the non-planar graphs

We complete the analytic evaluation of the master integrals for the two-loop non-planar box diagrams contributing to the top-pair production in the quark-initiated channel, at next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD. The integrals are determined from their differential equations, which are cast into a canonical form using the Magnus exponential. The analytic expressions of the Laurent series coefficients of the integrals are expressed as combinations of generalized polylogarithms, which we validate with several numerical checks. We discuss the analytic continuation of the planar and the non-planar master integrals, which contribute to $q {\bar q} \to t {\bar t}$ in QCD, as well as to the companion QED scattering processes $ e e \to μμ$ and $e μ\to e μ$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2019

Feynman Integrals and Intersection Theory

We introduce the tools of intersection theory to the study of Feynman integrals, which allows for a new way of projecting integrals onto a basis. In order to illustrate this technique, we consider the Baikov representation of maximal cuts in arbitrary space-time dimension. We introduce a minimal basis of differential forms with logarithmic singularities on the boundaries of the corresponding integration cycles. We give an algorithm for computing a basis decomposition of an arbitrary maximal cut using so-called intersection numbers and describe two alternative ways of computing them. Furthermore, we show how to obtain Pfaffian systems of differential equations for the basis integrals using the same technique. All the steps are illustrated on the example of a two-loop non-planar triangle diagram with a massive loop.

hep-th↗
arXiv2018

Master integrals for the NNLO virtual corrections to $μe$ scattering in QED: the non-planar graphs

We evaluate the master integrals for the two-loop non-planar box-diagrams contributing to the elastic scattering of muons and electrons at next-to-next-to-leading order in QED. We adopt the method of differential equations and the Magnus exponential to determine a canonical set of integrals, finally expressed as a Taylor series around four space-time dimensions, with coefficients written as a combination of generalised polylogarithms. The electron is treated as massless, while we retain full dependence on the muon mass. The considered integrals are also relevant for crossing-related processes, such as di-muon production at $e^+e^-$ colliders, as well as for the QCD corrections to top-pair production at hadron colliders. In particular, our results, together with the planar master integrals recently computed, represent the complete set of functions needed for the evaluation of the photonic two-loop virtual next-to-next-to-leading order QED corrections to $μe \to μe$ and $e^+ e^-\toμ^+μ^-$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2017

Spin Polarisation of $t\bar{t}γγ$ production at NLO+PS with GoSam interfaced to MadGraph5_aMC@NLO

We present an interface between the multipurpose NLO Monte Carlo tool MadGraph5_aMC@NLO and the automated one-loop amplitude generator GoSam. As a first application of this novel framework, we compute the NLO corrections to $pp \to t\bar{t}H$ and $pp \to t\bar{t}γγ$ matched to a parton shower. In the phenomenological analyses of these processes, we focus our attention on observables which are sensitive to the polarisation of the top quarks.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2017

Effective field theory approach to the gravitational two-body dynamics, at fourth post-Newtonian order and quintic in the Newton constant

Working within the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation to General Relativity, we use the effective field theory (EFT) framework to study the conservative dynamics of the two-body motion at fourth PN order, at fifth order in the Newton constant. This is one of the missing pieces preventing the computation of the full Lagrangian at fourth PN order using EFT methods. We exploit the analogy between diagrams in the EFT gravitational theory and 2-point functions in massless gauge theory, to address the calculation of 4-loop amplitudes by means of standard multi-loop diagrammatic techniques. For those terms which can be directly compared, our result confirms the findings of previous studies, performed using different methods.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2017

Two-loop master integrals for the leading QCD corrections to the Higgs coupling to a $W$ pair and to the triple gauge couplings $ZWW$ and $γ^*WW$

We compute the two-loop master integrals required for the leading QCD corrections to the interaction vertex of a massive neutral boson $X^0$, e.g. $H,Z$ or $γ^{*}$, with a pair of $W$ bosons, mediated by a $SU(2)_L$ quark doublet composed of one massive and one massless flavor. All the external legs are allowed to have arbitrary invariant masses. The Magnus exponential is employed to identify a set of master integrals that, around $d=4$ space-time dimensions, obey a canonical system of differential equations. The canonical master integrals are given as a Taylor series in $ε= (4-d)/2$, up to order four, with coefficients written as combination of Goncharov polylogarithms, respectively up to weight four. In the context of the Standard Model, our results are relevant for the mixed EW-QCD corrections to the Higgs decay to a $W$ pair, as well as to the production channels obtained by crossing, and to the triple gauge boson vertices $ZWW$ and $γ^*WW$.

hep-ph↗