Infrared structure of $SU(N)\times U(1)$ gauge theory to three loops

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the infrared structure of an $SU(N) imes U(1)$ gauge theory up to three loops, providing universal anomalous dimensions and soft emission predictions relevant for high-energy collider processes.

Contribution

It computes third-order form factors and demonstrates universality of cusp anomalous dimensions in $SU(N) imes U(1)$ gauge theory, extending IR structure understanding.

Findings

Explicit third-order form factors for $SU(N) imes U(1)$

Universal cusp anomalous dimensions established

Predictive framework for inclusive cross sections

Abstract

We study the infrared (IR) structure of $SU(N) \times U(1)$ (QCD $\times$ QED) gauge theory with $n_f$ quarks and $n_l$ leptons within the framework of perturbation theory. In particular, we unravel the IR structure of the form factors and inclusive real emission cross sections that contribute to inclusive production of color neutral states, such as a pair of leptons or single W/Z in Drell-Yan processes and a Higgs boson in bottom quark annihilation, in Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in the threshold limit. Explicit computation of the relevant form factors to third order and the use of Sudakov's $K+G$ equation in $SU(N)\times U(1)$ gauge theory demonstrate the universality of the cusp anomalous dimensions ($A_I , I = q, b$). The abelianization rules that relate $A_I$ of $SU(N)$ with those from $U(1)$ and $SU(N)\times U(1)$ can be used to predict the soft distribution that results from the soft gluon emission subprocesses in the threshold limit. Using the latter and the third order form factors, we can obtain the collinear anomalous dimensions ($B_I$ ) and the renormalisation constant $Z_b$ to third order in perturbation theory. The form factors, the process independent soft distribution functions can be used to predict fixed and resummed inclusive cross sections to third order in couplings and in leading logarithmic approximation respectively.