arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Stefano Catani.
The following topics in perturbative QCD are reviewed: recent theoretical progress in higher-order calculations; soft-gluon resummation for hard-scattering processes at large $E_T$ and high $x$; low-$x$ behaviour of structure functions and recent theoretical results on BFKL dynamics; infrared renormalons and power corrections to perturbative predictions; updated summary of $\as$ measurements.
We present a new general algorithm for calculating arbitrary jet cross sections in arbitrary scattering processes to next-to-leading accuracy in perturbative QCD. The algorithm is based on the subtraction method. The key ingredients are new factorization formulae, called dipole formulae, which implement in a Lorentz covariant way both the usual soft and collinear approximations, smoothly interpolating the two. The corresponding dipole phase space obeys exact factorization, so that the dipole contributions to the cross section can be exactly integrated analytically over the whole of phase space. We obtain explicit analytic results for any jet observable in any scattering or fragmentation process in lepton, lepton-hadron or hadron-hadron collisions. All the analytical formulae necessary to construct a numerical program for next-to-leading order QCD calculations are provided. The algorithm is straightforwardly implementable in general purpose Monte Carlo programs.
I briefly summarize some general features of soft-gluon contribution to inclusive cross-sections. The discussion includes the issue of soft-gluon singularities in infrared- and collinear-safe observables. All-order resummation and the ensuing varieties of QCD predictions are illustrated.
When calculating next-to-leading order QCD cross sections, divergences in intermediate steps of the calculation must be regularized. The final result is independent of the regularization scheme used, provided that it is unitary. In this paper we explore the relationship between regularization scheme independence and unitarity. We show how the regularization scheme dependence can be isolated in simple universal components, and how unitarity can be guaranteed for any regularization prescription that can consistently be introduced in one-loop amplitudes. Finally, we show how to derive transition rules between different schemes without having to do any loop calculations.
We briefly summarize theoretical methods for carrying out QCD calculations to next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. In particular, we describe a new general algorithm that can be used for computing arbitrary jet cross sections in arbitrary processes and can be straightforwardly implemented in general-purpose Monte Carlo programs.
We briefly describe a new general algorithm for carrying out QCD calculations to next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. The algorithm can be used for computing arbitrary jet cross sections in arbitrary processes and can be straightforwardly implemented in general-purpose Monte Carlo programs.
I briefly review some recent results on soft-gluon resummation and present applications to heavy-quark and jet production in hadron collisions.
We briefly describe a new general algorithm for carrying out QCD calculations to next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. The algorithm can be used for computing arbitrary jet cross sections in arbitrary processes and can be straightforwardly implemented in general-purpose Monte Carlo programs. We show numerical results for the specific case of jet cross sections in deep inelastic scattering at HERA energies.
I present a theoretical discussion of the uncertainties related to the QCD analysis of the proton structure function $F_2(x,Q^2)$ at small $x$. The role played by the `unphysical' gluon density is pointed out. It is shown how the study of more observables can reduce the theoretical uncertainty and, in particular, an alternative method of analysis, based on the introduction of physical anomalous dimensions, is suggested.
We briefly describe a new general algorithm for carrying out QCD calculations to next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. The algorithm can be used for computing arbitrary jet cross sections in arbitrary processes and can be straightforwardly implemented in general purpose Monte Carlo programs. We show numerical results for the specific case of jet cross sections in deep inelastic scattering.
I review the basic idea of $k_{\perp}$-factorization and its relation to collinear factorization. Theoretical results in resummed perturbation theory are summarized and the example of the heavy-flavour structure functions is explicitly considered. Using these results one can investigate the small-$x$ behaviour of quantities that are independent of the non-perturbative parton densities. In particular, one can introduce physical anomalous dimensions that relate the scaling violations in different hadronic observables.
In order to make quantitative predictions for jet cross sections in perturbative QCD, it is essential to calculate them to next-to-leading accuracy. This has traditionally been an extremely laborious process. Using a new formalism, imaginatively called the dipole formalism, we are able to construct a completely general algorithm for next-to-leading order calculations of arbitrary jet quantities in arbitrary processes. In this paper we present the basic ideas behind the algorithm and illustrate them with a simple example.
I present some comments on the partonic interpretation of the HERA data on the proton structure function. The effects of the resummation of the leading and next-to-leading $\ln x$-contributions are discussed. A new factorization scheme, in which these resummation effects are absorbed into a steep redefinition of the gluon density, is introduced and its (possible) interpretation and phenomenological relevance are suggested.
I present some comments on the relationship between the small-$x$ behaviour of the parton (quark and gluon) densities and the scaling violation of the proton structure function $F_{2}(x,Q^{2})$.
Experimental results on jet physics at LEP and SLC are reviewed and compared with perturbative QCD predictions. The discussion includes determinations of the strong coupling $\as$, measurements of event shape distributions and jet cross sections, studies of subjet multiplicities and tests of QCD coherence.
QCD predictions on the low-$x$ behaviour of the structure functions are reviewed and compared with the recent measurements of $F_2(x,Q^2)$ at HERA. The present theoretical accuracy of these predictions is discussed.