We present the results of a search for relations between observables that are independent of the Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order (NNLO) Low-Energy Constants (LECs). We have found some relations between observables in $ππ$, $πK$ scattering and $K_{l4}$ decay which have been evaluated numerically using fit 10 in \cite{Amoros:2001cp} for the NLO LECs. We also show some preliminary results for a new global fit of the NLO LECs
The calculation of partial decay rates in B --> X_u l nu decays at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in alpha_s and to leading order in 1/m_b is described. New results for the hard function are combined with known results for the jet function and shape-function moments in a numerical analysis which explores the impact of the NNLO corrections on partial decay rates and the determination of |V_{ub}|.
We present a determination of the parton distributions of the nucleon from a global set of hard scattering data using the NNPDF methodology at LO and NNLO in perturbative QCD, thereby generalizing to these orders the NNPDF2.1 NLO parton set. Heavy quark masses are included using the so-called FONLL method, which is benchmarked here at NNLO. We demonstrate the stability of PDFs upon inclusion of NNLO corrections, and we investigate the convergence of the perturbative expansion by comparing LO, NLO and NNLO results. We show that the momentum sum rule can be tested with increasing accuracy at LO,…
This contribution attempts to determine the $b$-quark pole mass $M_b$ and \MSbar running mass $\overline{m}_b$ with two different approaches at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections. At the first approach, we derive a relation between the $b$-quark pole mass $M_b$ and its \MSbar running mass $\overline{m}_b$ at the NNLO corrections based on the perturbative Quantum Chromo Dynamics (pQCD) predictions. At the second approach, we extract numerical values of the $b$-quark pole and \MSbar running masses based on the NNLO phenomenology of H1 and ZEUS Collaborations combined beauty ver…
We present the first determination of the strong coupling constant from the three-jet rate in e+e- annihilation at LEP, based on a next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) perturbative QCD prediction. More precisely, we extract alpha_s by fitting perturbative QCD predictions at O(alpha_s^3) to data from the ALEPH experiment at LEP. Over a large range of the jet-resolution parameter ycut this observable is characterised by small non-perturbative corrections and an excellent stability under renormalisation scale variation. For the three-jet rate at ln(ycut) = -3.9 we find alpha_s(MZ) = 0.1175 +/- 0.…
We present a comparison of the computation of energy-energy correlation in $e^{+}e^{-}$ collisions in the back-to-back region at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy matched with the next-to-next-to-leading order perturbative prediction to LEP, PEP, PETRA, SLC and TRISTAN data. With these predictions we perform an extraction of the strong coupling constant taking into account non-perturbative effects modelled with Monte Carlo event generators. The final result at NNLO+NNLL precision is $α_{S}(M_{Z})=0.11750\pm 0.00018 {\text( exp.)}\pm 0.00102{\text(hadr.)}\pm0.00257{\text(ren.)}\pm 0.…
Calculations of deep inelastic processes (DIS) to next-to-next to leading order are discussed. Fitting $ep$ experiment in the range $2.5\leq Q^2\leq 230 GeV^2$, we find the coupling $α_s(M_Z^2)=0.1163\pm0.0023$. We also get the gluon density $xG(x,Q^2\simeq 10 GeV^2)=0.51 x^{-0.44}(1-x)^{8.1}$, and negative evidence for the existence of light gluinos
We present the first calculation of inclusive jet production in deep-inelastic scattering with approximate next-to-next-to-leading order (aNNLO) contributions, obtained from a unified threshold resummation formalism. The leading coefficients are computed analytically. We show that the aNNLO contributions reduce the theoretical prediction for jet production in deep-inelastic scattering, improve the description of the final HERA data in particular at high photon virtuality Q^2 and increase the central fit value of the strong coupling constant.
We study the impact of next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections on partial decay rates in B --> X_u l nu decays, at leading-order in the 1/m_b expansion for shape-function kinematics. These corrections are implemented within a modified form of the BLNP framework, which allows for arbitrary variations of the jet scale mu_i \sim 1.5 GeV. Our analysis includes a detailed comparison between resummed and fixed-order perturbation theory, and between the complete NNLO results and those obtained in the large-$β_0$ approximation. For the default choice mu_i=1.5 GeV used in current extractio…
We consider a method for determining the QCD strong coupling constant using fits of perturbative predictions for event shape averages to data collected at the LEP, PETRA, PEP and TRISTAN colliders. To obtain highest accuracy predictions we use a combination of perturbative ${\cal{O}}(α_{S}^{3})$ calculations and estimations of the ${\cal{O}}(α_{S}^{4})$ perturbative coefficients from data. We account for non-perturbative effects using modern Monte Carlo event generators and analytic hadronization models. The obtained results show that the total precision of the $α_{S}$ determination cannot be …
We determine the strong coupling alpha_s at NNLO in perturbative QCD using the global dataset input to the NNPDF2.1 NNLO parton fit: data from neutral and charged current deep-inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan, vector boson production and inclusive jets. We find alpha_s(M_Z)=0.1173+- 0.0007 (stat), where the statistical uncertainty comes from the underlying data and uncertainties due to the analysis procedure are negligible. We show that the distribution of alpha_s values preferred by different experiments in the global fit is statistically consistent, without need for rescaling uncertainties by…
We present positivity bounds, derived from the principles of analyticity, unitarity and crossing symmetry, that constrain the low-energy constants of chiral perturbation theory. Bounds are produced for 2, 3 or more flavours in meson-meson scattering with equal meson masses, up to and including next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), using the second and higher derivatives of the amplitude. We enhance the bounds by using the most general isospin combinations posible (or higher-flavour counterparts thereof) and by analytically integrating the low-energy range of the discontinuities. In addition, w…
New methods of solutions of the DGLAP equation and their implementation through NNLO in QCD are briefly reviewed. We organize the perturbative expansion that describes in $x$-space the evolved parton distributions in terms of scale invariant functions, which are determined recursively, and logarithms of the ratio of the running couplings at the initial and final evolution scales. Resummed solutions are constructed within the same approach and involve logarithms of more complex functions, which are given in the non-singlet case. Differences in the evolution schemes are shown to be numerically s…
We present a determination of the strong coupling constant from a fit of QCD predictions for six event-shape variables, calculated at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) and matched to resummation in the next-to-leading-logarithmic approximation (NLLA). These event shapes have been measured in e+e- annihilations at LEP, where the data we use have been collected by the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies between 91 and 206 GeV. Compared to purely fixed order NNLO fits, we observe that the central fit values are hardly affected, but the systematic uncertainty is larger because the NLLA pa…
In this proceedings we discuss a prescription to extract the QCD strong coupling constant at $N^{3}LO$ precision in perturbative QCD using a combination of ${\cal{O}}(α_{S}^{3})$ calculations in pQCD and estimations of the ${\cal{O}}(α_{S}^{4})$ corrections from the data. The method is applied to a set of event shape averages measured in experiments at the LEP, PETRA, PEP and TRISTAN colliders. In our analysis we account for hadronization effects with models from modern Monte Carlo event generators and analytic hadronization models. We conclude that the precision of the $α_{S}$ extraction cann…
We present the first calculation of inclusive jet photoproduction with next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) contributions, obtained from a unified threshold resummation formalism. The leading coefficients for direct photoproduction are computed analytically. Together with the coefficients pertinent to parton-parton scattering, they are shown to agree with those appearing in our full next-to-leading order calculations. For hadron-hadron scattering, numerical agreement is found with a previous calculation of jet production at the Tevatron. We show that the direct and resolved NNLO contributions …
Experimental data from hadronic $τ$ decays allow for a precision determination of the slope of the $I=1$ vacuum polarization at zero momentum. We use this information to provide a value for the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) low-energy constant $C_{93}$ in chiral perturbation theory. The largest systematic error in this determination results from the neglect of terms beyond NNLO in the effective chiral Lagrangian, whose presence in the data will, in general, make the effective $C_{93}$ determined in an NNLO analysis mass dependent. We estimate the size of this effect by using strange had…
In this paper, we present {\tt SMKA18} analysis which is a first attempt to extract the set of next-to-next-leading-order (NNLO) spin-dependent parton distribution functions (spin-dependent PDFs) and their uncertainties determined through the Laplace transform technique and Jacobi polynomial approach. Using the Laplace transformations, we present an analytical solution for the spin-dependent Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution equations at NNLO approximation. The results are extracted using a wide range of proton $g_1^{p}(x, Q^2)$, neutron $g_1^{n}(x, Q^2)$ and deuteron $g_1^{…
We use the known values of the two loop Wilson coefficients and the three loop anomalous dimension matrix $γ(n)$ to perform a next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) calculation of $ep$ deep inelastic scattering. Because $γ(n)$ is only known for a few values of $n$, the method of average reconstruction has to be used, which leaves 102 effective experimental points, for 12 parameters: the QCD mass $Λ$, and 11 initial values for the moments of the structure functions. The data points spread in the range of momenta $2.5 GeV^2\leq Q^2\leq 230 GeV^2$. The chi/dof decreases substantially when going fro…
High precision analyses of experimental data for e+ e- annihillation, such as determination of jet rates or event shape observables, call for complete next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) perturbative QCD predictions. In this talk, we discuss the various ingredients entering the calculation of the NNLO corrections in e+ e- annihillation.
In this talk we report work on the matching of the next-to-leading logarithmic approximation (NLLA) onto the fixed next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) calculations for event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation. Furthermore we present preliminary results on the determination of the strong coupling constant obtained using NLLA+NNLO predictions and ALEPH data.
We present a comparative study of the invariant mass and rapidity distributions in Drell-Yan lepton pair production, with particular emphasis on the role played by the QCD evolution. We focus our study around the Z resonance ($50 <Q < 200$ GeV) and perform a general analysis of the factorization/renormalization scale dependence of the cross sections, with the two scales included both in the evolution and in the hard scatterings. We also present the variations of the cross sections due to the errors on the parton distributions (pdf's) and an analysis of the corresponding $K$-factors. Prediction…
The process e+ e- -> 3 jets offers the opportunity to measure the strong coupling constant. For an accurate determination, precise theoretical calculations are necessary. I will give an overview on the status of the next-to-next-to-leading order calculations.
We discuss Partially Quenched Chiral Perturbation Theory (PQ$χ$PT) and possible fitting strategies to Lattice QCD data at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in the mesonic sector. We also present a complete calculation of the masses of the charged pseudoscalar mesons, in the supersymmetric formulation of PQ$χ$PT. Explicit analytical results are given for up to three nondegenerate sea quark flavors, along with the previously unpublished expression for the pseudoscalar meson decay constant for three nondegenerate sea quark flavors. The numerical analysis in this paper demonstrates that the cor…
The QCD coupling $α_s$ is extracted from the energy evolution of the first two moments (multiplicity and mean) of the parton-to-hadron fragmentation functions at low fractional hadron momentum $z$. Comparisons of the experimental $e^+e^-$ and deep-inelastic $e^\pm$p jet data to our NNLO$^*$+NNLL predictions, allow us to obtain $α_s(m_{_{\rm Z}})$ = 0.1205$\pm$0.0010$^{+0.0022}_{-0.0000}$, in excellent agreement with the current world average determined using other methods at the same level of accuracy.
Event Shape Data from $e^+e^-$ annihilation into hadrons collected by the JADE experiment at centre-of-mass energies between 14 GeV and 44 GeV are used to determine the strong coupling $α_S$. QCD predictions complete to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), alternatively combined with resummed next-to-leading-log-approximation (NNLO+NLLA) calculations, are used. The combined value from six different event shape observables at the six JADE centre-of-mass energies using the NNLO calculations is $α_S(M_Z)$= 0.1210 +/- 0.0007(stat.) +/- 0.0021(expt.) +/- 0.0044(had.) +/- 0.0036(theo.) and with the…
A first determination of the strong coupling $α_s(m_Z)$ in next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) from inclusive jet and dijet production cross sections in deep-inelastic scattering at HERA is presented. Data collected by the H1 experiment in the years 1995 to 2007 covering the range of momentum transfer $5.5<Q^2<15\,000\,{\rm GeV}^2$ and jet transverse momenta $P_T>4.5\,{\rm GeV}$ are explored. The strong coupling is determined in a fit to inclusive jet and dijet data to $α_s(m_Z)=0.1157\,(6)_{\rm exp}\,(^{+31}_{-26})_{\rm theo}$. Further studies on the phenomenological application of the new N…
The renormalized next-to-leading-order (NLO) chiral low-energy constant, $L_{10}^r$, is determined in a complete next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO) analysis, using a combination of lattice and continuum data for the flavor $ud$ $V-A$ correlator and results from a recent chiral sum-rule analysis of the flavor-breaking combination of $ud$ and $us$ $V-A$ correlator differences. The analysis also fixes two combinations of NNLO low-energy constants, the determination of which is crucial to the precision achieved for $L_{10}^r$. Using the results of the flavor-breaking chiral $V-A$ sum rule obtain…
We review recent progress in the perturbative calculations for semileptonic and hadronic B meson decays with an emphasis on the phenomenological implications of the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections. Specifically, we consider CP-averaged branching ratios of tree-dominated B -> pi pi/pi rho/rho rho decays and the inclusive determination of |V_ub| from B -> X_u l nu.
We present a recent determination of an approximate expression for the O(alpha_s^3) contribution chi_2 to the kernel of the BFKL equation. This includes all collinear and anticollinear singular contributions and is derived using duality relations between the GLAP and BFKL kernels.
We report an updated version of the ABKM09 NNLO PDF fit, which includes the most recent HERA collider data on the inclusive cross sections and an improved treatment of the heavy-quark contribution to deep-inelastic scattering using advantages of the running-mass definition for the heavy quarks. The ABM11 PDFs obtained from the updated fit are in a good agreement with the recent LHC data on the W- and Z-production within the experimental and PDF uncertainties. We also perform a determination of the strong coupling constant α_s in a variant of the ABM11 fit insensitive to the influence of the hi…
At the next generation of linear colliders, forward-backward asymmetries will be involved again in the precise determination of the neutral current couplings of heavy quarks in inclusive heavy-quark production. The theoretical understanding of these observables at the level of NNLO radiative corrections is required. We review a recent calculation of the two-parton contribution to the heavy-quark A_FB at NNLO QCD in e+e- collisions. The results are valid for arbitrary values of the momentum transfer and non-vanishing heavy-quark mass m_Q.
The recently proposed MUonE experiment at CERN aims at providing a novel determination of the leading order hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment through the study of elastic muon-electron scattering at relatively small momentum transfer. The anticipated accuracy of the order of 10ppm demands for high-precision predictions, including all the relevant radiative corrections. To aid the effort, the theoretical formulation for the fixed order NNLO QED corrections are described and the virtual NNLO leptonic corrections are calculated with complete mass effects.
Cross sections for inclusive dijet production in diffractive deep-inelastic scattering are calculated for the first time in next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) accuracy. These cross sections are compared to several HERA measurements published by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations. We computed the total cross sections, 49 single-differential and five double-differential distributions for six HERA measurements. The NNLO corrections are found to be large and positive. The normalization of the resulting predictions typically exceeds the data, while the kinematical shape of the data is described bette…
We present a calculation of the finite volume corrections to meson masses and decay constants in three flavour Partially Quenched Chiral Perturbation Theory (PQChPT) through two-loop order in the chiral expansion for the flavour-charged (or off-diagonal) pseudoscalar mesons. The analytical results are obtained for three sea quark flavours with one, two or three different masses. We reproduce the known infinite volume results and the finite volume results in the unquenched case. The calculation has been performed using the supersymmetric formulation of PQChPT as well as with a quark-flow techni…
A combination of lattice and continuum data for the light-quark V-A correlator, supplemented by results from a chiral sum-rule analysis of the flavor-breaking flavor $ud$-$us$ V-A correlator difference, is shown to make possible a high-precision NNLO determination of the renormalized NLO chiral low-energy constant $L_{10}^r$. Key to this determination is the ability to simultaneously fix the two combinations of NNLO low-energy constants also entering the analysis. With current versions of the strange hadronic $τ$ branching fractions required as input to the flavor-breaking V-A sum rule, we fin…
We present a determination of parton distribution functions (ABM11) and the strong coupling constant alpha_s at next-to-leading order and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD based on world data for deep-inelastic scattering and fixed-target data for the Drell-Yan process. The analysis is performed in the fixed-flavor number scheme for n_f=3,4,5 and uses the MSbar-scheme for alpha_s and the heavy-quark masses. At NNLO we obtain the value alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.1134 +- 0.0011. The fit results are used to compute benchmark cross sections at hadron colliders to NNLO accuracy and to compare to da…
Using spectral data from non-strange and strange hadronic tau decays, flavor-breaking chiral sum rules involving the flavor ud and us current-current two-point functions are constructed and used to determine the SU(3) NNLO low-energy constant combinations C_{61}^r, C_{12}^r+C_{61}^r+C_{80}^r and C_{12}^r-C_{61}^r+C_{80}^r. The first of these determinations updates the results of an earlier analysis by Durr and Kambor, while the latter two are new. The error on the C_{12}^r+C_{61}^r+C_{80}^r is particularly small. Comparisons are made to model estimates for these quantities. The role of the thi…
We present the first determination of the strong coupling constant from a fit of next-to-next-to-leading order QCD predictions to event-shape variables, measured in $e^+e^-$ annihilations at LEP. The data have been collected by the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies between 91 and 206 GeV. Compared to results of next-to-leading order fits we observe that the central fit values are lower by about 10%, with considerably reduced scatter among the results obtained with different event-shape variables. The dominant systematic uncertainty from renormalization scale variations is reduced by a …
We study the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) evolution of flavour non-singlet quark densities and structure functions in massless perturbative QCD. Present information on the corresponding three-loop splitting functions is used to derive parametrizations of these quantities, including Bjorken-x dependent estimates of their residual uncertainties. Compact expressions are also provided for the exactly known, but rather involved two-loop coefficient functions. The size of the NNLO corrections and their effect on the stability under variations of the renormalization scale are investigated. Th…
We compute the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to the six most important event shape variables related to three-particle final states in electron-positron annihilation. The corrections are sizeable for all variables, however their magnitude is substantially different for different observables. We observe that the NNLO corrections yield a considerably better agreement between theory and experimental data both in shape and normalisation of the event shape distributions. The renormalisation scale dependence of the theoretical prediction is substantially reduced compared to th…
Using non-relativistic effective theories, new next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to the total $t\bar t$ production cross section at the Linear Collider have been calculated recently. In this article the NNLO calculations of several groups are compared and the remaining uncertainties are discussed. The theoretical prospects for an accurate determination of top quark mass parameters are discussed in detail. An outlook on possible future improvements is given.
We compute the dominant term in the expansion in rho=1-M_W/m_t of the unknown next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) nonresonant contributions to the e+ e- -> W+ W- b bbar total cross section at energies close to the top-antitop threshold. Our analytic result disagrees with a previous calculation by other authors [1]. We show that our determination has the correct infrared structure needed to cancel the divergences proportional to the top width arising in the resonant production of the same final state, and we point out to a missing contribution in the computation of [1] to explain the discrepan…
We study the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) evolution of flavour singlet parton densities and structure functions in massless perturbative QCD. Present information on the corresponding three-loop splitting functions is used to derive parametrizations of these quantities, including Bjorken-x dependent estimates of their residual uncertainties. Compact expressions are also provided for the exactly known, but in part rather lengthy two-loop singlet coefficient functions. The size of the NNLO corrections and their effect on the stability under variations of the renormalization and mass-facto…
A new set of the next-to-leading order (NLO) and the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) low-energy constants $L_i^r$ and $C_i^r$ in chiral perturbation theory is obtained. These values are computed using the new experimental data with a new calculation method. This method combines the traditional global fit and Monte Carlo method together. The higher order contributions are estimated with this method. The theoretical values of the observables provide good convergence at each chiral dimension, except for the NNLO values of the $πK$ scattering lengths $a_0^{3/2}$ and $a_0^{1/2}$. The fitted va…
We investigate the phenomenological viability of a recently proposed class of composite dark matter models where the relic density is determined by 3 to 2 number-changing processes in the dark sector. Here the pions of the strongly interacting field theory constitute the dark matter particles. By performing a consistent next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading order chiral perturbative investigation we demonstrate that the leading order analysis cannot be used to draw conclusions about the viability of the model. We further show that higher order corrections substantially increase the tensi…
In the context of the dispersive model for non-perturbative corrections, we extend the leading renormalon subtraction to NNLO for the thrust distribution in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. Within this framework, using a NNLL+NNLO perturbative description and including bottom quark mass effects to NLO, we analyse data in the centre-of-mass energy range $\sqrt{s}=14-206$ GeV in view of a simultaneous determination of the strong coupling constant and the non-perturbative parameter $α_0$. The fits are performed by matching the resummed and fixed-order predictions both in the R and the log-R matching scheme…
We present details on calculation of next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to massive charged-current coefficient functions in deep-inelastic scattering. Especially we focus on the application to charm-quark production in neutrino scattering on fixed target that can be measured via the dimuon final state. We construct a fast interface to the calculation so for any parton distributions the cross sections can be evaluated within milliseconds by using the pre-generated interpolation grids. We discuss agreements of various theoretical predicitons with the NuTeV and CCFR dimuon data and the…
The corrections induced by light quark masses to the current algebra result for the $π^0$ lifetime are reexamined. We consider NNLO corrections and we compute all the one-loop and the two-loop diagrams which contribute to the decay amplitude at NNLO in the two-flavour chiral expansion. We show that the result is renormalizable, as Weinberg consistency conditions are satisfied. We find that chiral logarithms are present at this order unlike the case at NLO. The result could be used in conjunction with lattice QCD simulations, the feasibility of which was recently demonstrated. We discuss the ma…
We construct a relativistic chiral nucleon-nucleon interaction up to the next-to-next-to-leading order in covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory. We show that a good description of the $np$ phase shifts up to $T_\mathrm{lab}=200$ MeV and even higher can be achieved with a $\tildeχ^2/\mathrm{d.o.f.}$ less than 1. Both the next-to-leading order results and the next-to-next-to-leading order results describe the phase shifts equally well up to $T_\mathrm{lab}=200$ MeV, but for higher energies, the latter behaves better, showing satisfactory convergence. The relativistic chiral potential provi…
We review the status of the coupling constants of chiral Lagrangians in the meson sector, the so-called low-energy constants (LECs). Special emphasis is put on the chiral $SU(2)$ and $SU(3)$ Lagrangians for the strong interactions of light mesons. The theoretical and experimental input for determining the corresponding LECs is discussed. In the two-flavour sector, we review the knowledge of the $O(p^4)$ LECs from both continuum fits and lattice QCD analyses. For chiral $SU(3)$, NNLO effects play a much bigger role. Our main new results are fits of the LECs $L_i$ both at NLO and NNLO, making ex…
We improve the existing calculations of deep inelastic scattering to next to next to leading order in the following manner. First, we use the recently calculated values of the anomalous dimensions for moments with index n=10,12 in ep scattering. Second, we use also recently calculated anomalous dimensions for n=1,3,...,13 for xF3 in neutrino N scattering, to extend the calculation to this process. Lastly, we use the determinantal constraints on the moments that follow from positivity of the structure functions to stabilize the fits. We find substantial improvement over previous results, gettin…
We present positivity bounds, derived from the principles of analyticity, unitarity and crossing symmetry, that constrain the low-energy constants of chiral perturbation theory. Bounds are produced for 2, 3 or more flavours with equal meson masses, up to and including next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), using the second and higher derivatives of the amplitude. We enhance the bounds by using the most general isospin combinations posible (or higher-flavour counterparts thereof) and by analytically integrating the low-energy range of the amplitude. In addition, we present a powerful and general…
Approximations of chiral SU(3) amplitudes at NNLO are proposed to facilitate the extrapolation of lattice data to the physical meson masses. Inclusion of NNLO terms is essential for investigating convergence properties of chiral SU(3) and for determining low-energy constants in a controllable fashion. The approximations are tested with recent lattice data for the ratio of decay constants F_K/F_pi.
