We report on several methodologically different NNLO determinations of the strong coupling constant from event shapes and related observables in e+e- annihilation. The event shape distributions are analyzed within a combined framework of NNLO and NNLA resummation. We also investigate the role of hadronisation corrections, using both Monte Carlo generator predictions and analytic models to parametrise non-perturbative power corrections.
We report work on the matching of the next-to-leading logarithmic approximation (NLLA) onto the fixed next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) calculation for event shape variables in electron-positron annihilation. The correction of the combined NLLA+NNLO computation in the three-jet region, relevant for precision phenomenology, is small compared with pure NNLO or NLLA+NLO.
We report first results on the calculation of NNLO corrections to event shape distributions in electron-positron annhilation. The corrections are sizeable for all variables, however their magnitude is substantially different for different observables. We observe that inclusion of the NNLO corrections yields a considerably better agreement between theory and experimental data both in shape and normalisation of the event shape distributions.
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.
This article gives the perturbative NNLO results for the most commonly used event shape variables associated to three-jet events in electron-positron annihilation: Thrust, heavy jet mass, wide jet broadening, total jet broadening, C parameter and the Durham three-to-two jet transition variable. In addition the NNLO results for the jet rates corresponding to the Durham, Geneva, Jade-E0 and Cambridge jet algorithms are presented.
This article gives the perturbative NNLO results for the moments of the most commonly used event shape variables associated to three-jet events in electron-positron annihilation: Thrust, heavy jet mass, wide jet broadening, total jet broadening, C parameter and the Durham three-to-two jet transition variable.
The strong coupling constant is a fundamental parameter of nature. It can be extracted from experiments measuring three-jet events in electron-positron annihilation. For this extraction precise theoretical calculations for jet rates and event shapes are needed. In this talk I will discuss the NNLO calculation for these observables.
We study the matching of the next-to-leading logarithmic approximation (NLLA) onto the fixed next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) calculation for event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation. The resulting theoretical predictions combine all precision QCD knowledge on the distributions, and are theoretically reliable over an extended kinematical range. Compared to previously available matched NLLA+NLO and fixed order NNLO results, we observe that the effects of the combined NLLA+NNLO are small in the three-jet region, relevant for precision physics.
Precision studies of QCD at electron-positron colliders are based on measurements of event shapes and jet rates. To match the high experimental accuracy, theoretical predictions to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD are needed for a reliable interpretation of the data. We report the first calculation of NNLO corrections O(alpha_s^3) to three-jet production and related event shapes, and discuss their phenomenological impact.
We report on the calculation of NNLO corrections to the 3-jet cross section and related event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation. The corrections are sizable for all variables, however the magnitude of the corrections is substantially different for different observables. We observe that inclusion of the NNLO corrections yields a considerably better agreement between theory and experimental data both in shape and normalization of the event shape distributions in the region where the perturbative result is expected to hold. A new extraction of $α_{s}$ using the event shape var…
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…
We compute 2-loop QCD corrections to the hard coefficient functions which arise in the factorization formula for B -> X_u l nu decays in the shape-function region. Our calculation provides the last missing piece required for a NNLO analysis of inclusive semileptonic B decays, which may significantly reduce the theoretical uncertainty in the extraction of the CKM matrix element |V_ub|. Among the technical aspects, we find that the 2-loop hard coefficient functions are free of infrared singularities as predicted by the factorization framework. We perform a brief numerical analysis of the NNLO co…
The inclusive decay B --> X_u l nu is of much interest because of its potential to constrain the CKM element |V_ub|. Experimental cuts required to suppress charm background restrict measurements of this decay to the shape-function region, where the hadronic final state carries a large energy but only a moderate invariant mass. In this kinematic region, the differential decay distributions satisfy a factorization formula of the form $H \cdot J \otimes S$, where S is the non-perturbative shape function, and the object $H \cdot J$ is a perturbatively calculable hard-scattering kernel. In this pap…
We compute the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to the first five moments of six event shape variables related to three-particle final states in electron-positron annihilation; the thrust, the heavy jet mass, the C-parameter, the wide and total jet broadenings and the three-to-two-jet transition parameter in the Durham algorithm Y3. The NNLO corrections to the first moment are moderate for all event shapes, while the renormalisation scale dependence of the theoretical prediction is substantially reduced compared to the previously existing NLO results. From a comparison with…
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…
Precision studies of QCD at $e^+e^-$ colliders are based on measurements of event shapes and jet rates. To match the high experimental accuracy, theoretical predictions to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD are needed for a reliable interpretation of the data. We report the first calculation of NNLO corrections (${\cal O}(α_s^3)$) to three-jet production and related event shapes, and discuss their phenomenological impact.
We measure the strong coupling constant at NNLO corrections. We do this analysis with moments of event shape variables: thrust, C parameter, heavy jet mass, wide and total jet broadening, by fitting the L3 and DELPHI data with NNLO model. Our real data are consistent with NNLO calculations, because it involves higher order terms in QCD calculations.
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 …
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…
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.
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…
We present a new implementation of the NNLO QCD corrections to three-jet final states and related event-shape observables in electron--positron annihilation. Our implementation is based on the antenna subtraction method, and is performed in the NNLOJET framework. The calculation improves upon earlier results by taking into account the full kinematical information on the initial state momenta, thereby allowing the event orientation to be computed to NNLO accuracy. We find the event-orientation distributions at LEP and SLC to be very robust under higher order QCD corrections.
We present a calculation of the NNLO QCD corrections to Z-boson pair production at hadron colliders, based on the N-jettiness method for the real radiation parts. We discuss the size and shape of the perturbative corrections along with their associated scale uncertainties and compare our results to recent LHC data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV.
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 the CoLoRFulNNLO method to compute higher order radiative corrections to jet cross sections in perturbative QCD. We apply our method to the computation of event shape observables in electron-positron collisions at NNLO accuracy and validate our code by comparing our predictions to previous results in the literature. We also calculate for the first time jet cone energy fraction at NNLO.
The results of the more detailed NNLO QCD analysis of the CCFR data for $xF_3$ SF are presented. The factorization scale uncertainties are analysed. The NNLO results for $alpha_s(M_Z)$ and twist-4 contributions are obtained. Despite the fact that the amplitude of the $x$-shape of the twist-4 factor is consequently decreasing at the NLO and NNLO, our new QCD analysis seems to reveal the remaining twist-4 structure at the NNLO level. The definite N$^3$LO uncertainties are fixed using the [0/2] Padé resummation technique.
We compute the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to event shape distributions and their mean values in deep inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering. The magnitude and shape of the corrections varies considerably between different variables. The corrections reduce the renormalization and factorization scale uncertainty of the predictions. Using a dispersive model to describe non-perturbative power corrections, we compare the NNLO QCD predictions with data from the H1 and ZEUS experiments. The newly derived corrections improve the theory description of the distributions and of the…
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 present the computation of Higgs boson production in association with a jet at the LHC including QCD corrections up to NNLO. The calculation includes the subsequent decay of the Higgs boson into four leptons, allowing for the full reconstruction of the final-state kinematics. In anticipation of improved LHC measurements based on the full Run II dataset, we present a study for single- and double-differential cross sections within the fiducial volume as defined in prior ATLAS analyses. Higher-order corrections are found to have a sizeable impact on both normalisation and shape of differential…
The improved next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD analysis of the experimental data of the CCFR collaboration for the $xF_3$ structure function is made. Theoretical ambiguities of the NNLO fits are estimated by means of the Padé resummation technique, which was applied both in the expanded and non-expanded forms. The NNLO and the new N$^3$LO $α_s(Q^2)$ $\bar{MS}$-matching conditions are used. In the process of the fits we are taking into account the target mas corrections and the twist-4 $1/Q^2$-terms. Our NNLO results for $α_s(M_Z)$ values, extracted from the CCFR $xF_3$ data, are $α_s(M_…
In this talk we describe a procedure for isolating the infrared singularities present in gluonic scattering amplitudes at next-to-next-to-leading order. We use the antenna subtraction framework which has been successfully applied to the calculation of NNLO corrections to the 3-jet cross section and related event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation. Here we consider processes with coloured particles in the initial state, and in particular two-jet production at hadron colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We construct a subtraction term that describes the single an…
We introduce a subtraction method for jet cross sections at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) accuracy in the strong coupling and use it to compute event shapes in three-jet production in electron-positron collisions. We validate our method on two event shapes, thrust and C-parameter, which are already known in the literature at NNLO accuracy and compute for the first time oblateness and the energy-energy correlation at the same accuracy.
We study the application of the Brodsky-Lepage-Mackenzie (BLM) scale setting prescription to event shape distributions in electron-positron collisions. The renormalization scale is set dynamically according to the BLM method. We study NLO predictions and we discuss extensions of the prescription to NNLO.
A detailed next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD analysis is performed for the experimental data of the CCFR collaboration for the $xF_3$ structure function. Theoretical ambiguities of the results of our NNLO fits are estimated by application of the Padé resummation technique and variation of the factorization and renormalization scales. The NNLO and N$^3$LO $α_s(Q^2)$ $\bar{MS}$-matching conditions are used. In the process of the fits we are taking into account of twist-4 $1/Q^2$-terms. We found that the amplitude of the $x$-shape of the twist-4 factor is decreasing in NLO and NNLO, though…
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 QCD radiative corrections to the production of four charged leptons in the ZZ signal region at the LHC. We report on the complete calculation of the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections to this process in QCD perturbation theory. Numerical results are presented for $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV, using typical selection cuts applied by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. The NNLO corrections increase the NLO fiducial cross section by about $15\%$, and they have a relatively small impact on the shape of the considered kinematical distributions. In the case of the $ΔΦ$ distribution of th…
We report the first calculation of fully differential jet production in all partonic channels at next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD and compare to the available ATLAS 7 TeV data. We discuss the size and shape of the perturbative corrections along with their associated scale variation across a wide range in jet transverse momentum, $p_{T}$, and rapidity, $y$. We find significant effects, especially at low $p_{T}$, and discuss the possible implications for Parton Distribution Function fits.
Power corrections both to the strong coupling constant and to the structure function itself are estimated on the basis of the LO, NLO and NNLO QCD analysis of $xF_3$ structure function data. The sign of correction to the coupling constant is found to be negative. The x-shape of a higher twist contribution to the structure function is stable up to NNLO.
In this paper we present a calculation of the $γ+j$ process at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD and compare the resulting predictions to 8 TeV CMS data. We find good agreement with the shape of the photon $p_T$ spectrum, particularly after the inclusion of additional electroweak corrections, but there is a tension between the overall normalization of the theoretical prediction and the measurement. We use our results to compute the ratio of $Z(\to \ell^+\ell^-)+j$ to $γ+j$ events as a function of the vector boson transverse momentum at NNLO, a quantity that is used to normalize $Z(\r…
We study the moments of hadronic event shapes in $e^+e^-$ annihilation within the context of next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) perturbative QCD predictions combined with non-perturbative power corrections in the dispersive model. This model is extended to match upon the NNLO perturbative prediction. The resulting theoretical expression has been compared to experimental data from JADE and OPAL, and a new value for $α_s(M_Z)$ has been determined, as well as of the average coupling $α_0$ in the non-perturbative region below $μ_I=2$ GeV within the dispersive model: α_s(M_Z)&=0.1153\pm0.0017(\ma…
We use an Effective Charges (ECH) method to extract Lambda-MS-bar, and hence alpha_s(M_z), from event shape moments in e+e- annihilation. We compare these results with ones obtained using standard MS-bar perturbation theory. The ECH method at NLO is found to perform better than standard MS-bar perturbation theory when applied to means of event shape observables. For example, when we apply the NLO ECH method to <1-T> we get alpha_s(M_z)=0.1193\pm0.0003. However ECH at NNLO is found to work less well than ECH at NLO, and the ECH method also fails to describe data for higher moments of event shap…
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.
We discuss the CoLoRFulNNLO method for computing higher order radiative corrections to jet cross sections in perturbative QCD. We apply our method to the calculation of event shapes and jet rates in three-jet production in electron-positron annihilation. We validate our code by comparing our predictions to previous results in the literature and present the jet cone energy fraction distribution at NNLO accuracy. We also present preliminary NNLO results for the three-jet rate using the Durham jet clustering algorithm matched to resummed predictions at NLL accuracy, and a comparison to LEP data.
Hard processes in diffractive deep-inelastic scattering can be described by a factorisation into parton-level subprocesses and diffractive parton distributions. In this framework, cross sections for inclusive dijet production in diffractive deep-inelastic electron-proton scattering (DIS) are computed to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD accuracy and compared to a comprehensive selection of data. Predictions for the total cross sections, 39 single-differential and four double-differential distributions for six measurements at HERA by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations are calculated. In the …
We present accurate QCD predictions for the transverse momentum pT spectrum of electroweak gauge bosons at the LHC for 13 TeV collisions, based on a consistent combination of a NNLO calculation at large pT and N3LL resummation in the small pT limit. The inclusion of higher order corrections leads to substantial changes in the shape of the differential distributions, and the residual perturbative uncertainties are reduced to the few percent level across the whole transverse momentum spectrum. We examine the ratio of pT distributions in charged- and neutral-current Drell-Yan production, and stud…
We present a novel method for resummation of event shapes to next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy. We discuss the technique and describe its implementation in a numerical program in the case of e^+e^- collisions where the resummed prediction is matched to NNLO. We reproduce all the existing predictions and present new results for oblateness and thrust major.
We consider associated $Zh$ production with $Z \to \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $h \to b \bar b$ decays in hadronic collisions. In the framework of the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) we calculate the QCD corrections to this process and achieve next-to-next-to-leading order plus parton shower (NNLO$+$PS) accuracy using the MiNNLO$_{\rm PS}$ method. This precision is obtained for a subset of six SMEFT operators, including the corrections from effective Yukawa- and chromomagnetic dipole-type interactions. Missing higher-order QCD effects associated with the considered dimension-six operators…
We derive the second-order QCD corrections to the production of a Higgs boson recoiling against a parton with finite transverse momentum, working in the effective field theory in which the top quark contributions are integrated out. To account for quark mass effects, we supplement the effective field theory result by the full quark mass dependence at leading order. Our calculation is fully differential in the final state kinematics and includes the decay of the Higgs boson to a photon pair. It allows one to make next-to-next-to- leading order (NNLO)-accurate theory predictions for Higgs-plus-j…
We consider some trends, achievements and a series of remaining problems in the precision determination of parton distribution functions. For the description of the scaling violations of the deep-inelastic scattering data, forming the key ingredients to all PDF fits, a solid theoretical framework is of importance. It is provided by the fixed flavor number scheme in describing the heavy-quark contributions which is found in good agreement with the present experimental data in a very wide range of momentum transfers. In this framework also a consistent determination of the heavy-quark masses is …
In this talk we present the recent calculation in all partonic channels of the fully differential single jet inclusive cross section at Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order in QCD. We discuss the size and shape of the perturbative corrections as a function of the functional form of the renormalisation and factorisation scales and compare the predictions at NLO and NNLO to the available ATLAS 7 TeV data. We find significant effects at low-$p_T$ due to changes in the functional form of the scale choice whereas at high-$p_T$ the two most common scale choices in the literature give identical results and …
Although the Higgs boson has been discovered, its self-couplings are poorly constrained. This leaves the nature of the Higgs boson undetermined. Motivated by different Higgs potential scenarios other than the Landau-Ginzburg type in the standard model, we systematically organize various new physics scenarios -- elementary Higgs, Nambu-Goldstone Higgs, Coleman-Weinberg Higgs, and Tadpole-induced Higgs, etc. We find that double-Higgs production at the 27 TeV high energy LHC can be used to discriminate different Higgs potential scenarios, while it is necessary to use triple-Higgs production at a …
The size of non-perturbative corrections to event shape observables is predicted to fall like a power of the inverse centre of mass energy. These power corrections are investigated for different observables from e+e-annihilation and compared to the theoretical predictions. Using the latest DELPHI high energy data advantages of determining α_s from these predictions are discussed and compared to conventional methods.
We present precise predictions for the hadronic production of an on-shell Higgs boson in association with a leptonically decaying gauge boson and a jet up to order $α_s^3$. We include the complete set of NNLO QCD corrections to both charged- and neutral-current Drell-Yan type contributions, as well as the previously known leading heavy quark loop induced contributions which involve a direct Higgs-quark coupling. As an application, we study a range of differential observables in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13~\text{TeV}$ for both the charged- and neutral-current production modes. Fo…
Jet shapes have the potential to play a role in many LHC analyses, for example in quark-gluon discrimination or jet substructure analyses for hadronic decays of boosted heavy objects. Most shapes, however, are significantly affected by pileup. We introduce a general method to correct for pileup effects in shapes, which acts event-by-event and jet-by-jet, and accounts also for hadron masses. It involves a numerical determination, for each jet, of a given shape's susceptibility to pileup. Together with existing techniques for determining the level of pileup, this then enables an extrapolation to…
We propose a new way to determine the squark mass based on the shape of di-jet invariant mass distribution of supersymmetry (SUSY) di-jet events at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Our algorithm, which is based on event kinematics, requires that the branching ratio $B(\tilde{q} \rightarrow q \tilde{z}_1)$ is substantial for at least some types of squarks, and that $m_{\tilde{z}_1}^2/m_{\tilde{q}}^2 \ll 1$. We select di-jet events with no isolated leptons, and impose cuts on the total jet transverse energy, $E_T^{tot}=E_T(j_1)+E_T(j_2)$, on $α= E_T(j_2)/m_{jj}$, and on the azimuthal angle betwe…
