We determine the uncertainty on the strong coupling alpha_S due to the experimental errors on the data fitted in global analysis of hard-scattering data, within the standard framework of leading-twist fixed-order collinear factorisation in the MSbar scheme, finding that alpha_S(M_Z^2) = 0.1202^{+0.0012}_{-0.0015} at next-to-leading order (NLO) and alpha_S(M_Z^2) = 0.1171^{+0.0014}_{-0.0014} at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO). We do not address in detail the issue of the additional theory uncertainty on alpha_S(M_Z^2), but an estimate is +/-0.003 at NLO and at most +/-0.002 at NNLO. We investigate the interplay between uncertainties on alpha_S and uncertainties on parton distribution functions (PDFs). We show, for the first time, how both these sources of uncertainty can be accounted for simultaneously in calculations of cross sections, and we provide eigenvector PDF sets with different fixed alpha_S values to allow further studies by the general user. We illustrate the application of these PDF sets by calculating cross sections for W, Z, Higgs boson and inclusive jet production at the Tevatron and LHC.
We present a discussion on the methods for extracting a given parameter from measurements of hadronic data, with particular focus on determinations of the strong coupling constant. We show that when the PDF dependency on the determination is adequately taken into account, the dispersion between the results from different measurements is significantly reduced. We speculatively propose the concept of preferred value of a parameter from a particular dataset.
Recent high precision experimental data from a variety of hadronic processes opens new opportunities for determination of the collinear parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton. In fact, the wealth of information from experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and others, makes it difficult to quickly assess the impact on the PDFs, short of performing computationally expensive global fits. As an alternative, we explore new methods for quantifying the potential impact of experimental data on the extraction of proton PDFs. Our approach relies crucially on the correlation betwe…
We point out a problem of the phenomenological definition of the valence partons as the difference between the partons and antipartons in the context of the NNLO evolution equations. After demonstrating that the classification of the parton degrees of freedom (PDF) of the parton distribution functions (PDFs) are the same in the QCD path-intergral formulations of the hadronic tensor and the quasi-PDF with LaMET, we resolve the problem by showing that the proper definition of the valence should be in terms of those in the connected insertions only. We also prove that the strange partons appear a…
In the context of a recent CTEQ6.6 global analysis, we review a new technique for studying correlated theoretical uncertainties in hadronic observables associated with imperfect knowledge of parton distribution functions (PDFs). The technique is based on the computation of correlations between the predicted values of physical observables in the Hessian matrix method. It can be used, for example, to link the dominant PDF uncertainty in a hadronic cross section to PDFs for individual parton flavors at well-defined $(x,μ)$ values. As an illustration, we apply the PDF correlation analysis to study…
We study the global analysis for parton distributions as a function of the QCD strong coupling strength alpha_s, and present a new series of distributions that span the range 0.110 < alpha_s(m_Z) < 0.128. We use these distributions to explore the correlation between alpha_s and the gluon distribution; the viability of global analysis as a method to measure alpha_s; and the dependence on alpha_s of predictions for W, Z, inclusive jet, and Higgs boson production ($b \bar{b} \to H$ and $gg \to H$) cross sections at the Tevatron and the LHC. We find that the uncertainty in alpha_s is the dominant …
We present a systematic study of uncertainties due to parton distributions and the strong coupling on the gluon-fusion production cross section of the Standard Model Higgs at the Tevatron and LHC colliders. We compare procedures and results when three recent sets of PDFs are used, CTEQ6.6, MSTW08 and NNPDF1.2, and we discuss specifically the way PDF and strong coupling uncertainties are combined. We find that results obtained from different PDF sets are in reasonable agreement if a common value of the strong coupling is adopted. We show that the addition in quadrature of PDF and alphas uncerta…
Recent evaluations of the hadronic vacuum polarization contributions to the effective fine-structure constant alpha_{em}(M_Z) are summarized and commented. A new update based on corrected CMD-2 data is presented. My new estimates are Delta alpha_{had}^{(5)}(M_Z) = 0.027773 +/- 0.000354 (e^+e^- - data based) and Delta alpha_{had}^{(5)}(M_Z) = 0.027664 +/- 0.000173 (via the Adler-function and extended use of pQCD). Prospects of further possible progress is discussed.
I review recent evaluations of the hadronic contributions to the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g-2)_mu and to the effective fine structure constant alpha (M_Z). A new estimate for the hadronic shift delta_alpha hadronic = 0.027782 +/- 0.000254 is presented which implies 1/alpha (M_Z) = 128.913 +/- 0.035. It is based on a recent perturbative calculation of the Adler function which includes mass effects up to three-loops in a MOM scheme and requires little ad hoc assumptions. I then discuss perspectives for possible improvements in estimations of g-2 which we expect from the Phi--factory DAPHN…
We reevaluate the hadronic vacuum polarisation contributions to the muon magnetic anomaly and to the running of the electromagnetic coupling constant at the Z-boson mass. We include newest e+e- to hadrons cross-section data (among others) from the BABAR and VEPP-2000 experiments. For the muon (g-2)/2 we find for the lowest-order hadronic contribution (693.1 +- 3.4) 10^-10, improving the precision of our previous evaluation by 21%. The full Standard Model prediction differs by 3.5 sigma from the experimental value. The five-quark hadronic contribution to alpha(mZ) is evaluated to be (276.0 +- 0…
We consider the impact of O(alpha^2) hadronic corrections to the energy spectrum of the decay electron in muon decay. We find that the correction can be described, within good approximation, by a linear function in the electron energy. Explicit expressions for the form factors needed in an approach based on dispersion integrals are given.
Until recently, determinations of alpha_s(M_Z) from hadronic tau decays and the analysis of short-distance-sensitive lattice observables yielded results which, though precise, were not in good agreement. I review new analyses that bring these into good agreement and provide some details on the source of the main changes in the tau decay analysis.
We report on some technical aspects of our calculation of alpha_s^4 corrections to R(s) and the semi-leptonic tau decay width [1-3]. We discuss the inner structure of the result as well as the issue of its correctness. We demonstrate recently appeared independent evidence positively testing one of two components of the full result.
The results of calculation of light gluino contributions to Gamma(Z--->hadrons) and Gamma(tau--->hadrons) to O(alpha_s^3) are presented. The net effect in the case of Z decay is noticeable. For the tau width the effect is very large and, if a light gluino exists, suggests that alpha_s increases by more than 15% relative to the Standard Model analysis.
We review and compare recent calculations of hadronic vacuum polarization effects. In particular, we consider the anomalous magnetic moments g-2 of the leptons and alpha(M_Z), the effective fine structure constant at the Z--resonance.
We have reevaluated the hadronic contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (g-2) and to the running of the QED fine structure constant alpha(s) at s=M_Z**2. We incorporated new data from hadronic tau decays, recently published by the ALEPH Collaboration. In addition, compared to previous analyses, we use more extensive e+e- annihilation data sets. The integration over the total hadronic cross section is performed using experimental data up to 40 GeV and results from perturbative QCD above 40 GeV. The improvement from tau data concerns mainly the pion form factor, where the unce…
The total $τ$ hadronic width can be accurately calculated using analyticity and the operator product expansion. The theoretical analysis of this observable is updated to include all available perturbative and non-perturbative corrections. The experimental determination of $α_s(M_τ^2)$ and its actual uncertainties are discussed.
We explore how the positivity of the P_T-integrated eta_c-hadroproduction cross-section computed at NLO in alpha_s can set up constraints on the x-dependence of gluon PDFs at low scales.
We discuss the extraction of alpha_s using isovector hadronic tau decay data and sum rules constructed specifically to suppress contributions associated with poorly known higher dimension condensates. We show, first, that problems with the treatment of such contributions affect earlier related analyses and, second, that these problems can be brought under good theoretical control through the use of an alternate analysis strategy. Our results, run up to the n_f=5 regime, correspond to alpha_s(M_Z^2)=0.1187(16), in excellent agreement with the recently updated global fit to electroweak data at t…
The hadronic vacuum-polarization contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment a_{mu}(hadr) and to the value of the eleectromagnetic coupling constant at q^2 = M^2_z are determined more precisely in connection with a new more exact value of the electronic width of rho-meson. The QCD model with infinite number of vector mesons is used. The more precisely determined results are: a_{mu}(hadr) = 678(7)*10^{-10}, δα_{hadr}(M^2_z) = 0.02786(6).
We perform an extraction of alpha_s based on sum rules involving isovector hadronic tau decay data. The particular sum rules employed are constructed specifically to suppress contributions associated with poorly known higher dimension condensates, and hence reduce theoretical systematic uncertainties associated with the treatment of such contributions which are shown to be present in earlier related analyses. Running our results from the n_f=3 to n_f=5 regime we find alpha_s(M_Z^2)=0.1187(16), in excellent agreement with the recently updated global fit to electroweak data at the Z scale, 0.119…
We reevaluate the dispersion integrals of the leading order hadronic contributions to the running of the QED fine structure constant alpha(s) at s=M_Z^2, and to the anomalous magnetic moments of the muon and the electron. Finite-energy QCD sum rule techniques complete the data from e+e- annihilation and tau decays at low energy and at the cc-bar threshold. Global quark-hadron duality is assumed in order to resolve the integrals using the Operator Product Expansion wherever it is applicable. We obtain delta_alpha_had(M_Z) = (276.3 +/- 1.6)x10^{-4} yielding alpha^{-1}(M_Z) = 128.933 +/- 0.021, a…
Various moments of the hadronic spectral functions have been employed in the determination of the strong coupling alpha_s from tau decays. In this work we study the behaviour of their perturbative series under different assumptions for the large-order behaviour of the Adler function, extending previous work on the tau hadronic width. We find that the moments can be divided into a small number of classes, whose characteristics depend only on generic features of the moment weight function and Adler function series. Some moments that are commonly employed in alpha_s analyses from tau decays shoul…
New physics searches at the LHC or Tevatron typically look for a specific number of hard jets, leptons and photons. To obtain an exclusive N-jet sample, one can measure the event shape "N-jettiness" τ_N and veto additional undesired jets by requiring τ_N <<1. However, this leads to large logarithms of τ_N in the cross section, that need to be summed for reliable theory predictions. For N=0 in hadronic collisions, τ_N reduces to the "beam thrust" eventshape τ_B. We derive a factorization theorem for pp -> XL, where a central jet veto τ_B<<1 is imposed on the hadronic final state X and L is non-…
Effects of vacuum polarization by hadronic and heavy-fermion insertions were the last unknown two-loop QED corrections to high-energy Bhabha scattering and have been first announced in \cite{Actis:2007fs}. Here we describe the corrections in detail and explore their numerical influence. The hadronic contributions to the virtual O(alpha^2) QED corrections to the Bhabha-scattering cross-section are evaluated using dispersion relations and computing the convolution of hadronic data with perturbatively calculated kernel functions. The technique of dispersion integrals is also employed to derive th…
The path-integral formulation of the hadronic tensor W_{μν} of deep inelastic scattering is reviewed. It is shown that there are 3 gauge invariant and topologically distinct contributions. The separation of the connected sea partons from those of the disconnected sea can be achieved with a combination of the global fit of the parton distribution function (PDF), the semi-inclusive DIS data on the strange PDF and the lattice calculation of the ratio of the strange to $u/d$ momentum fraction in the disconnected insertion. We shall discuss numerical issues associated with lattice calculation of th…
It is demonstrated how perturbative O(alpha_s^2) relativistic corrections to the non-relativistic stable heavy quark-antiquark production cross section in e^+e^- annihilation based on a Coulombic QCD potential can be systematically calculated using the concept of effective field theories. The O(alpha_s^2) corrections from the relativistic energy-momentum relation, the relativistic phase space corrections and the O(alpha_s^2) corrections involving the group theoretical factors C_F^2 and C_F T are determined explicitly. For the case of $t\bar t$ production the sum of these corrections amounts to…
Using recently developed methods for the evaluation of five-loop amplitudes in perturbative QCD, corrections of order alpha_s^4 for the cross section of electron-positron annihilation into hadrons and for the decay rates of the Z-boson and the tau-lepton into hadrons are evaluated. The new terms lead to a significant stabilization of the perturbative series, to a reduction of the theory uncertainly in the strong coupling constant alpha_s, as extracted from these measurements, and to a small shift of the central value, moving two central values closer together. The agreement between two values …
I review recent estimates of the non-perturbative hadronic vacuum polarization contributions. Since these at present can only be evaluated in terms of experimental data of limited precision, the related uncertainties pose a serious limitation in our ability to make precise predictions. Besides e+e- - annihilation data also tau decay spectra can help to get better predictions. Here, it is important to account for all possible iso-spin violations in tau - decay spectra, from which e+e- cross sections may be obtained by an iso-spin rotation. The observed 10% discrepancy in the region above the rh…
We evaluate the effect of a virtual top quark on the coefficient of $α_{s}^{2}$ in the decay rates $Γ(Z \rightarrow {\rm hadrons})$ and $Γ(Z \rightarrow b\overline{b} )$. We treat the dependence on the top quark mass exactly instead of using a large mass expansion. The present work completes the evaluation of the $α_{s}^{2}$ contributions to these quantities. The calculation uses both the $\overline{\rm MS}$ and Collins-Wilczek-Zee renormalization prescriptions. The results can be applied to the hadronic decays of the $τ$-lepton.
Hadronic corrections to the muon lifetime are calculated in the Fermi theory in the presence of QED using dispersion relations. The result, after convolution of hadron data with the calculated perturbative kernel is Delta Gamma_had = -Gamma_0(alpha/pi)^2(0.042) where Gamma_0 is the tree-level width. The results are also used to obtain the corrections to the muon lifetime coming from virtual muon and tau loops Delta Gamma_muon = Gamma_0(alpha/pi)^2[(16987/576)-(85/36)zeta(2)-(64/3)zeta(3)] = -Gamma_0(alpha/pi)^2(0.0364333) Delta Gamma_tau = -Gamma_0(alpha/pi)^2)(0.00058)
We summarize recent results on i) the use of u-pdf's in the Monte-Carlo simulation of hadronic final states at high-energy colliders, and ii) attempts to characterize u-pdf's with precision in terms of nonlocal operator matrix elements.
We present an algorithm for unweighted event generation in the partonic process pp -> WZ (j) with leptonic decays at next-to-leading order in alpha_S. Monte Carlo programs for processes such as this frequently generate events with negative weights in certain regions of phase space. For simulations of experimental data one would like to have unweighted events only. We demonstrate how the phase space from the matrix elements can be combined to achieve unweighted event generation using a second stage Monte Carlo integration over a volume of real emissions (jets). Observable quantities are kept fi…
Different choices exist for the renormalisation group resummation in the determination of $α_s$ from hadronic $τ$ decays: namely fixed-order (FOPT) and contour-improved perturbation theory (CIPT). The two approaches lead to systematic differences in the resulting $α_s$. On the basis of a model for higher-order terms in the perturbative series, which incorporates well-known structure from renormalons, it is found that while CIPT is unable to account for the fully resummed series, FOPT smoothly approaches the Borel sum. Employing the model to determine $α_s$ yields $α_s(M_τ)=0.316 \pm 0.006$, wh…
We summarize several projects carried out by the CTEQ global analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton during 2010. We discuss a recently released CT10 family of PDFs with a fixed and variable QCD coupling strength; implementation of combined HERA and Tevatron lepton asymmetry data sets; theoretical issues associated with the analysis of $W$ charge asymmetry in PDF fits; PDFs for leading-order shower programs; and constraints on new color-octet fermions from the hadronic data.
We reevaluate the hadronic contributions to the muon magnetic anomaly, and to the running of the electromagnetic coupling constant at the Z-boson mass. We include new pi+pi- cross-section data from KLOE, all available multi-hadron data from BABAR, a reestimation of missing low-energy contributions using results on cross sections and process dynamics from BABAR, a reevaluation of all experimental contributions using the software package HVPTools, together with a reanalysis of inter-experiment and inter-channel correlations, and a reevaluation of the continuum contributions from perturbative QCD…
The goal of this study is to find a prescription for defining parton distributions (PDFs) which are most appropriate for use in those codes where only LO matrix elements (MEs) are used, as in many Monte Carlo generators. We describe a modification of LO PDFs, based on using alpha_S at NLO, a specific prescription of the coupling in the QCD evolution, and violation of the momentum sum rule. We compare results with the truth - the prediction using NLO for both MEs and PDFs, and the standard LO prediction, finding that the modified PDFs generally produce the best results.
At the first PPPP workshop, I gave a review talk on physics of B and CP-phases. In my talk, I explained DRG method and our extension to extract CP angles $α$ and $γ$ from measurements of the decay rates of $B_{d,s}^0 \to ππ, πK, K K$. There are several advantages to this extension: discrete ambiguities are removed, fewer assumptions are necessary, and the method works even if all strong phases vanish. I also talked on several other topics.
A more precise determination of the effective fine structure constant alpha_eff(E) is mandatory for confronting data from future precision experiments with precise SM predictions. At a future e+e- collider like the ILC, as at LEP before, alpha_eff(E) plays the role the static zero momentum alpha=alpha_eff(0) plays in low energy physics. However, by going to the effective version of alpha one loses about a factor 2 times 10^2 at E=m_mu to 10^5 at E=M_Z in precision, such that for physics at the gauge boson mass scale and beyond alpha_eff(E) is the least known basic parameter, about a factor 20 …
Hadronic tau decay data provides access to the light quark vector (V) and axial vector (A) spectral functions. This makes possible investigations of the dynamics of QCD at intermediate scales and improved determinations of certain QCD/Standard Model parameters. We discuss three such applications: (1) the investigation of the nature of duality violation in QCD at intermediate scales (and its relation to the determination of alpha_s); (2) the extraction of m_s from flavor-breaking differences of flavor 'ud' and 'us' data; and (3) the determination of the dimension D=6 term in the OPE for the fla…
We compute the electroweak (EW) contributions to squark--squark pair production processes at the LHC within the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Both tree-level EW contributions, of O(alpha_s alpha + alpha^2), and next-to-leading order (NLO) EW corrections, of O(alpha_s^2 alpha), are calculated. Depending on the flavor and chirality of the produced quarks, many interferences between EW-mediated and QCD-mediated diagrams give non-zero contributions at tree-level and NLO. We discuss the computational techniques and present an extensive numerical analysis for inclusi…
We reevaluate the hadronic contribution to the running of the QED fine structure constant alpha(s) at s = M_Z^2. We use data from e+e- annihilation and tau decays at low energy and at the qq-bar thresholds, where resonances occur. Using so-called spectral moments and the Operator Product Expansion (OPE), it is shown that a reliable theoretical prediction of the hadronic production rate R(s) is available at relatively low energies. Its application improves significantly the precision on the hadronic vacuum polarization contribution. We obtain delta_alpha^had = (277.8 +/- 2.6) x 10^-4 yielding a…
One of the largest theoretical uncertainties assigned to the strong coupling constant alpha_s as determined from hadronic tau decays stems from the differences in the results for Fixed Order Perturbation Theory (FOPT), Contour Improved Perturbation Theory (CIPT) and Renormalon Chain Perturbation Theory (RCPT). It is often argued that the three methods differ in the treatment of higher orders only and therefore the full difference should be treated as theoretical error. Recently other arguments either in favor of FOPT, CIPT or RCPT have been given, but none of those is able to combine all three…
We update our Standard Model predictions for g-2 of the muon and for the hadronic contributions to the running of the QED coupling, Delta alpha^5_had(M_Z^2). Particular emphasis is put on recent changes in the hadronic contributions from new data in the 2pi channel and from the energy region just below 2 GeV.
We calculate the top-quark-induced three-loop corrections of O(alpha_s^2 G_F M_t^2) to the Yukawa couplings of the first five quark flavours in the framework of the minimal standard model with an intermediate-mass Higgs boson, with mass M_H << 2M_t. The calculation is performed using an effective-Lagrangian approach implemented with the hard-mass procedure. As an application, we derive the O(alpha_s^2 G_F M_t^2) corrections to the H -> q q-bar partial decay widths, including the case q=b. The couplings of the Higgs boson to pairs of leptons and intermediate bosons being known to O(alpha_s^2 G_…
We respond to some criticism questioning the validity of the current Standard Model Higgs exclusion limits at the Tevatron, due to the significant dependence of the dominant production cross section from gluon-gluon fusion on the choice of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and the strong coupling (alpha_S). We demonstrate the ability of the Tevatron jet data to discriminate between different high-x gluon distributions, performing a detailed quantitative comparison to show that fits not explicitly including these data fail to give a good description. In this context we emphasise the importan…
We calculate the hadronic tensor for inclusive semileptonic B decay to O(alpha_s). This allows O(alpha_s Lambda_{QCD}/mb) corrections to hadronic invariant mass observables to be directly evaluated with experimentally required cuts on phase space. Several moments of phenomenological interest are presented to O(alpha_s Lambda_{QCD}/mb) and O(Lambda_{QCD}^3/mb^3), allowing a consistent extraction of the HQET parameters up to O(Lambda_{QCD}^3/mb^3) and the b quark mass with theoretical error ~ 50 MeV. The hadronic invariant mass spectrum is examined with a general moment to obtain observables tha…
A large collection of results for the diffractive dissociation of virtual photons, $γ^{\star}p \to Xp$, have been obtained with the H1 and ZEUS detectors at HERA. Different experimental techniques have been used, by requiring a large rapidity gap between $X$ and the outgoing proton, by analyzing the mass distribution, $M_X$, of the hadronic final state, as well as by directly tagging the proton. A reasonable compatibility between those techniques and between H1 and ZEUS results have been observed. Some common fundamental features in the measurements are also present in all data sets. They are …
We have applied Pade approximants to perturbative QCD calculations of event shape observables in e+e- --> hadrons. We used the exact O(alpha_s^2) prediction and the [0/1] Pade approximant to estimate the O(alpha_s^3) term for 15 observables, and in each case determined alpha_s(M_Z^2) from comparison with hadronic Z^0 decay data from the SLD experiment. We found the scatter among the alpha_s(M_Z^2) values to be significantly reduced compared with the standard O(alpha_s^2) determination, implying that the Pade method provides at least a partial approximation of higher-order perturbative contribu…
Motivated by a recent paper that compares the results of the analysis of the CKM angle alpha in the frequentist and in the Bayesian approaches, we have reconsidered the information on the hadronic amplitudes, which helps constraining the value of alpha in the Standard Model. We find that the Bayesian method gives consistent results irrespective of the parametrisation of the hadronic amplitudes and that the results of the frequentist and Bayesian approaches are equivalent when comparing meaningful probability ranges or confidence levels. We also find that from B to pi pi decays alone the 95% pr…
We present results on the NLO (alpha_s^2) spectator-scattering corrections to the topological penguin amplitudes for charmless hadronic two-body B-decays in QCD factorization. The corrections can be sizable for the colour-suppressed electroweak penguin amplitudes alpha_{4,EW}^p but otherwise are numerically small. Our results explicitly demonstrate factorization at this order. To assess the phenomenological viability of the framework, we consider penguin-to-tree ratios in the penguin-dominated pi K system and find agreement to the expected precision (i.e., a power correction).
Determinations of the proton's collinear parton distribution functions (PDFs) are emerging with growing precision due to increased experimental activity at facilities like the Large Hadron Collider. While this copious information is valuable, the speed at which it is released makes it difficult to quickly assess its impact on the PDFs, short of performing computationally expensive global fits. As an alternative, we explore new methods for quantifying the potential impact of experimental data on the extraction of proton PDFs. Our approach relies crucially on the Hessian correlation between theo…
The parton distributions functions (PDFs) derived from the NNLO QCD analysis of existing light-targets deep-inelastic-scattering data are presented. The NLO and NNLO PDFs are compared in order to analyze perturbative stability of the analysis and estimate impact of the higher-order QCD corrections. The main theoretical uncertainties and experimental uncertainties in PDFs due to all sources of experimental errors in data are estimated and used to assess corresponding uncertainties in the cross sections of other hadronic processes.
The relation between the quark-gluon description of QCD and the hadronic picture is studied up to order alpha_s. The analysis of the spin-1 correlators is developed within the large NC framework. Both representations are shown to be equivalent in the euclidean domain, where the Operator Product Expansion is valid. By considering different models for the hadronic spectrum at high energies, one is able to recover the alpha_s running in the correlators, to fix the rho(770) and a1(1260) couplings, and to produce a prediction for the values of the condensates. The Operator Product Expansion is impr…
We discuss the quantitative impact of duality violations on the determination of the strong coupling constant from hadronic tau decays, based on a preliminary analysis of OPAL data.
We briefly summarise the "MSTW 2008" determination of parton distribution functions (PDFs), and subsequent follow-up studies, before reviewing some topical issues concerning the PDF dependence of cross sections at the Tevatron and LHC. We update a recently published study of benchmark Standard Model total cross sections (W, Z, gg->H and t-tbar production) at the 7 TeV LHC, where we account for all publicly available PDF sets and we compare to LHC data for W, Z, and t-tbar production. We show the sensitivity of the Higgs cross sections to the gluon distribution, then we demonstrate the ability …
We calculate the order alpha_s^2 and order alpha_s^3 QCD contributions to colour-singlet exchange in the leading log s approximation. We implement the resulting amplitude at the hadronic level and thus construct the QCD pomeron and odderon to this order of perturbation theory. We show that the structure of the hadronic form factors provides a natural mechanism through which the odderon gets suppressed at t=0 whereas it dominates the elastic cross section at large t. We also demonstrate that the inclusion of nonperturbative effects through a modification of the gluon propagator accelerates grea…
We have applied so-called `optimised' perturbation theory to resolve the renormalisation-scale (mu) ambiguity of exact O(alpha_s^2) QCD calculations of event shape observables in e+e- --> hadrons. We fitted the optimised predictions for 15 observables to hadronic Z0 decay data from the SLD experiment to determine alpha_s(M_Z^2). Comparing with results using the physical scale mu = M_Z we found no reduction in the scatter among alpha_s(M_Z^2) values from the 15 observables, implying that the O(alpha_s^2) predictions with optimised scales are numerically no closer to the exact all-orders results…
We discuss some key issues associated with duality-violating and non-perturbative OPE contributions to the theoretical representations of light quark current-current two-point functions and relevant to precision determinations of alpha_s from hadronic tau decay and electroproduction cross-section data. We demonstrate that analyses with an explicit representation of duality-violating effects are required to bring theoretical errors in such extractions under control, motivating the accompanying paper in these proceedings, which presents the results of such an analysis.
Hadronic tau decays represent a clean laboratory for the precise study of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Observables (sum rules) based on the spectral functions of hadronic tau decays can be related to QCD quark-level calculations to determine fundamental quantities like the strong coupling constant, parameters of the chiral Lagrangian, |V_us|, the mass of the strange quark, and to simultaneously test the concept of quark-hadron duality. Using the best available measurements and a revisited analysis of the theoretical framework, the value alpha_s(m_tau) = 0.345 +- 0.004[exp] +- 0.009[theo] is o…
