NNLO QCD corrections to event shape variables in electron positron annihilation

TL;DR

This paper presents the first calculation of NNLO QCD corrections to three-jet production and event shape variables in electron-positron annihilation, enhancing the precision of theoretical predictions for collider data analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first NNLO (O(alpha_s^3)) calculations for three-jet production and related event shapes in electron-positron collisions, improving theoretical accuracy.

Findings

NNLO corrections significantly improve agreement with experimental data.

The results reduce theoretical uncertainties in QCD analyses.

Enhanced precision aids in more accurate determination of the strong coupling constant.

Abstract

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.