Second-order QCD corrections to the thrust distribution

TL;DR

This paper calculates the NNLO QCD corrections to the thrust distribution in electron-positron annihilation, showing significant size and improved theoretical precision over previous NLO predictions.

Contribution

It provides the first complete NNLO calculation of the thrust distribution, reducing theoretical uncertainties and enhancing the accuracy of QCD tests.

Findings

NNLO corrections increase the thrust distribution prediction by about 15%.

Theoretical scale uncertainty is significantly reduced with NNLO inclusion.

Results improve the precision of QCD tests in electron-positron collisions.

Abstract

We compute the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to the thrust distribution in electron-positron annihilation. The corrections turn out to be sizable, enhancing the previously known next-to-leading order prediction by about 15%. Inclusion of the NNLO corrections significantly reduces the theoretical renormalisation scale uncertainty on the prediction of the thrust distribution.