Detailed k-Factor Studies Using Inclusive Production of W Bosons in pp Collisions

Abstract

The theoretical k-Factor describes the difference between leading and higher order cross sections and its proper usage has a crucial importance for theoretical predictions. In this paper, three different ways are considered to define the k-Factor of W bosons at $$\sqrt s $$ = 14 TeV in proton-proton collisions. First, we calculate k-Factors using inclusive W± boson leading order (LO), next-toleading order (NLO) and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) cross sections with LO, NLO, NNLO parton distribution function (PDF) models, respectively. The second approach used is the calculation of k-Factors based on LO, NLO and NNLO QCD cross sections with the NNLO PDF model. The last method used here is the calculation of k-Factors using the LO QCD cross section with LO, NLO and NNLO PDF models. We further investigated the dependencies of the k-Factor on the renormalization (μR) and the factorization (μF) scales, the strong coupling constant (α s ), the charges of W boson and the collision energy of protons in a range of 7 to 100 TeV.