Next-to-leading order QCD corrections to $Z\to q\bar{q}\gamma$, $q\bar{q}\gamma\gamma$

TL;DR

This paper calculates next-to-leading order QCD corrections to rare Z boson decay channels involving jets and photons, providing more precise predictions for these processes that can be tested at future colliders.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed NLO QCD correction calculations for the rare decay channels Z → two jets + gamma and Z → two jets + two gamma.

Findings

NLO corrections reduce decay widths by approximately 6% and 12%.

Corrections are more significant at the jet level.

Results are relevant for future collider experiments.

Abstract

We consider the rare decay channels of the $Z$ boson: $Z \to \text{two}\ \textrm{jets} + \gamma$ and $Z \to \text{two}\ \textrm{jets} +2\, \gamma$. To obtain the widths and distributions for these processes, we compute the effect of NLO QCD corrections to the processes $Z \to q {\bar q}+ \gamma$ and $Z \to q {\bar q} +2\, \gamma$. We find that these corrections reduce the widths of these processes by about $6.03\%$ and $12.39\%$, respectively. The reduction in the partial widths is larger at the jet level. These NLO-improved decay observables may be tested in future runs of the LHC or at future $e^{+}e^{-}$ colliders.