Real-Virtual-Virtual contributions to the inclusive Higgs cross section at N3LO

TL;DR

This paper computes the N3LO contributions to inclusive Higgs production by two-loop amplitudes, using differential equations and a novel boundary condition decomposition method, advancing precision in theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It introduces a new technique for decomposing boundary conditions in differential equations for master integrals in Higgs cross section calculations.

Findings

Laurent expansion coefficients involve harmonic polylogarithms

Boundary conditions determined via expansion by regions

Method improves precision in N3LO Higgs cross section calculations

Abstract

We present the computation of the contributions to N3LO inclusive Higgs boson production due to two-loop amplitudes. Our result is a Laurent expansion in the dimensional regulator, with coefficients that are linear combinations of harmonic polylogarithms of the ratio of the Higgs boson mass and the partonic center of mass energy. We outline our method of solving the differential equations for master integrals appearing in the cross section. Solving these differential equations requires the determination of boundary conditions and we present a new technique for decomposing the boundary conditions into physical contributions. We show how these boundary conditions can be calculated using the method of expansion by regions.