David A. Kosower

One-loop n-point gauge theory amplitudes, unitarity and collinear limits

Abstract We present a technique which utilizes unitarity and collinear limits to construct ansatze for one-loop amplitudes in gauge theory. As an example, we obtain the one-loop contribution to amplitudes for n -gluon scattering in N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with the helicity configuration of the Parke-Taylor tree amplitudes. We prove that our N = 4 ansatz is correct using general properties of the relevant one-loop n -point integrals. We also give the “splitting amplitudes” which govern the collinear behavior of one-loop helicity amplitudes in gauge theories.

Fusing gauge theory tree amplitudes into loop amplitudes

Abstract We identify a large class of one-loop amplitudes for massless particles that can be constructed via unitarity from tree amplitudes, without any ambiguities. One-loop amplitudes for massless supersymmetric gauge theories fall into this class; in addition, many non-supersymmetric amplitudes can be rearranged to take advantage of the result. As applications, we construct the one-loop amplitudes for n -gluon scattering in N = 1 supersymmetric theories with the helicity configuration of the Parke-Taylor tree amplitudes, and for six-gluon scattering in N = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory for all helicity configurations.

The Four-Loop Planar Amplitude and Cusp Anomalous Dimension in Maximally Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory

We present an expression for the leading-color (planar) four-loop four-point amplitude of N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in 4-2{epsilon} dimensions, in terms of eight separate integrals. The expression is based on consistency of unitarity cuts and infrared divergences. We expand the integrals around {epsilon} = 0, and obtain analytic expressions for the poles from 1/{epsilon}{sup 8} through 1/{epsilon}{sup 4}. We give numerical results for the coefficients of the 1/{epsilon}{sup 3} and 1/e{sup 2} poles. These results all match the known exponentiated structure of the infrared divergences, at four separate kinematic points. The value of the 1/{epsilon}{sup 2} coefficient allows us to test a conjecture of Eden and Staudacher for the four-loop cusp (soft) anomalous dimension. We find that the conjecture is incorrect, although our numerical results suggest that a simple modification of the expression, flipping the sign of the term containing {zeta}{sub 3}{sup 2}, may yield the correct answer. Our numerical value can be used, in a scheme proposed by Kotikov, Lipatov and Velizhanin, to estimate the two constants in the strong-coupling expansion of the cusp anomalous dimension that are known from string theory. The estimate works to 2.6% and 5% accuracy, providing non-trivial evidence in support of the AdS/CFT correspondence. We also use the known constants in the strong-coupling expansion as additional input to provide approximations to the cusp anomalous dimension which should be accurate to under one percent for all values of the coupling. When the evaluations of the integrals are completed through the finite terms, it will be possible to test the iterative, exponentiated structure of the finite terms in the four-loop four-point amplitude, which was uncovered earlier at two and three loops.

The computation of loop amplitudes in gauge theories

Abstract We present a detailed derivation of a new and efficient technique based on the technology of four-dimensional heterotic strings, for computing one-loop amplitudes in gauge theories, along with expressions for the one-loop dimensionally regularized helicity amplitudes for the process with four external gluons. We also give a set of computational rules pre-supposing ignorance of string theory.

One loop amplitudes for e+ e- to four partons

Abstract We present the first explicit formulae for the complete set of one-loop helicity amplitudes necessary for computing next-to-leading order corrections for e + e − annihilation into four jets, for W, Z or Drell-Yan production in association with two jets at hadron colliders, and for three-jet production in deeply inelastic scattering experiments. We include a simpler form of the previously published amplitudes for e + e − to four quarks. We obtain the amplitudes using their analytic properties to constrain their form. Systematically eliminating spurious poles from the amplitudes leads to relatively compact results.

On-Shell Methods in Perturbative QCD

We review on-shell methods for computing multi-parton scattering amplitudes in perturbative QCD, utilizing their unitarity and factorization properties. We focus on aspects which are useful for the construction of one-loop amplitudes needed for phenomenological studies at the Large Hadron Collider.

PROGRESS IN ONE-LOOP QCD COMPUTATIONS

▪ Abstract We review progress in calculating the one-loop scattering amplitudes required for next-to-leading-order corrections to QCD processes. The underlying technical developments include the spinor helicity formalism, color decompositions, supersymmetry, string theory, factorization, and unitarity. We provide explicit examples that illustrate these techniques.

Color decomposition of one-loop amplitudes in gauge theories

Abstract We present a decomposition of one-loop amplitudes in pure SU( N ) gauge theories into a sum of products of traces of charge matrices and color-independent kinematic factors. The decomposition is the one-loop extension of the cyclic color decomposition that has come into widespread use in tree-level amplitudes.

On-Shell Recurrence Relations for One-Loop QCD Amplitudes

We present examples of on-shell recurrence relations for determining rational functions appearing in one-loop QCD amplitudes. In particular, we give relations for one-loop QCD amplitudes with all legs of positive helicity, or with one leg of negative helicity and the rest of positive helicity. Our recurrence relations are similar to the tree-level ones described by Britto, Cachazo, Feng and Witten. A number of new features arise for loop amplitudes in non-supersymmetric theories like QCD, including boundary terms and double poles. We show how to eliminate the boundary terms, which would interfere with obtaining useful relations. Using the relations we give compact explicit expressions for the n-gluon amplitudes with one negative-helicity gluon, up through n = 7.

Bootstrapping Multi-Parton Loop Amplitudes in QCD

The authors present a new method for computing complete one-loop amplitudes, including their rational parts, in non-supersymmetric gauge theory. This method merges the unitarity method with on-shell recursion relations. It systematizes a unitarity-factorization bootstrap approach previously applied by the authors to the one-loop amplitudes required for next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the processes e{sup +}e{sup -} {yields} Z, {gamma}* {yields} 4 jets and pp {yields} W + 2 jets. We illustrate the method by reproducing the one-loop color-ordered five-gluon helicity amplitudes in QCD that interfere with the tree amplitude, namely A{sub 5;1}(1{sup -}, 2{sup -}, 3{sup +}, 4{sup +}, 5{sup +}) and A{sub 5;1}(1{sup -}, 2{sup +}, 3{sup -}, 4{sup +}, 5{sup +}). Then we describe the construction of the six- and seven-gluon amplitudes with two adjacent negative-helicity gluons, A{sub 6;1}(1{sup -}, 2{sup -}, 3{sup +}, 4{sup +}, 5{sup +}, 6{sup +}) and A{sub 7;1}(1{sup -}, 2{sup -}, 3{sup +}, 4{sup +}, 5{sup +}, 6{sup +}, 7{sup +}), which uses the previously-computed logarithmic parts of the amplitudes as input. They present a compact expression for the six-gluon amplitude. No loop integrals are required to obtain the rational parts.