Amplitude In multi-Regge Kinematics Research Articles

Heptagon functions and seven-gluon amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics

We compute all 2 → 5 gluon scattering amplitudes in planar mathcal{N} = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory in the multi-Regge limit that is sensitive to the non-trivial (“long”) Regge cut. We provide the amplitudes through four loops and to all logarithmic accuracy at leading power, in terms of single-valued multiple polylogarithms of two variables. To obtain these results, we leverage the function-level results for the amplitudes in the Steinmann cluster bootstrap. To high powers in the series expansion in the two variables, our results agree with the recently conjectured all-order central emission vertex used in the Fourier-Mellin representation of amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics. Our results therefore provide a resummation of the Fourier-Mellin residues into single-valued polylogarithms, and constitute an important cross-check between the bootstrap approach and the all-orders multi-Regge proposal.

The multi-Regge limit of the eight-particle amplitude beyond leading logarithmic accuracy

We present the computation of the eight-particle three-loop amplitude beyond leading logarithmic accuracy in the multi-Regge limit of planar mathcal{N} = 4 Super Yang-Mills theory. Starting from the all-loop dispersion integral form of the amplitude, we consider the eight-particle case and by analyzing said dispersion integral we associate it to a well-defined Fourier-Mellin transform. By using the properties of the Fourier-Mellin representation and its convolution product structure, we compute the three-loop eight-particle MHV amplitude at next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. From this MHV result, we obtain the three-loop eight particle amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics for all helicity configurations, including next-to-next-to-MHV. Finally, we find that the result is described by combinations of single-valued multiple polylogarithms of uniform weight, the leading singularity structure of which corresponds to the classification shown at leading logarithmic accuracy.

Gravitational scattering in the high-energy limit

Any gravitational scattering amplitude takes a remarkably simple factorized form at tree level in multi-Regge kinematics (MRK), where the produced particles are strongly ordered in rapidity. Very recently, it was shown that the scattering equations also have a very simple structure in MRK. In this paper we study Einstein gravity amplitudes in MRK in the framework of the scattering equations. We present a new derivation of the multi-Regge factorization of tree-level amplitudes with any number of external gravitons and any helicity configuration.

The seven-gluon amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics beyond leading logarithmic accuracy

We present an all-loop dispersion integral, well-defined to arbitrary logarithmic accuracy, describing the multi-Regge limit of the 2 → 5 amplitude in planar mathcal{N}=4 super Yang-Mills theory. It follows from factorization, dual conformal symmetry and consistency with soft limits, and specifically holds in the region where the energies of all produced particles have been analytically continued. After promoting the known symbol of the 2-loop N -particle MHV amplitude in this region to a function, we specialize to N = 7, and extract from it the next-to-leading order (NLO) correction to the BFKL central emission vertex, namely the building block of the dispersion integral that had not yet appeared in the well-studied six-gluon case. As an application of our results, we explicitly compute the seven-gluon amplitude at next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy through 5 loops for the MHV case, and through 3 and 4 loops for the two independent NMHV helicity configurations, respectively.

Color-kinematics duality in multi-Regge kinematics and dimensional reduction

In this note we study the applicability of the color-kinematics duality to the scattering of two distinguishable scalar matter particles with gluon emission in QCD, or graviton emission in Einstein gravity. Previous analysis suggested that direct use of the Bern-Carrasco-Johansson double-copy prescription to matter amplitudes does not reproduce the gravitational amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics. This situation, however, can be avoided by extensions to the gauge theory, while maintaning the same Regge limit. Here we present two examples of these extensions: the introduction of a scalar contact interaction and the relaxation of the distinguishability of the scalars. In both cases new diagrams allow for a full reconstruction of the correct Regge limit on the gravitational side. Both modifications correspond to theories obtained by dimensional reduction from higher-dimensional gauge theories.

Impact factor for gluon production in multi-Regge kinematics in the next-to-leading order

The one-loop correction to the impact factor for gluon production upon the transition of a one-Reggeon state in the t channel to a two-Reggeon state is found. This impact factor is an element of multiparticle amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics. The correction in question is necessary for developing the theory of Regge and multi-Regge processes. In particular, it is necessary for proving the multi-Regge form of the amplitude in the next-to-leading-logarithm approximation. This correction also makes it possible to complete the verification of the last of the unproven bootstrap conditions for gluon Reggeization and to prove, in this approximation, the validity of the multi-Regge form of the amplitude. All necessary calculations are presented, and an explicit expression for the impact factor in front of all possible color states in the t channel is given.

Infrared approach to Reggeization

We present a new approach to Reggeization of gauge amplitudes based on the universal properties of their infrared singularities. Using the "dipole formula", a compact ansatz for all infrared singularities of massless amplitudes, we study Reggeization of singular contributions to high-energy amplitudes for arbitrary color representations, and any logarithmic accuracy. We derive leading-logarithmic Reggeization for general cross-channel color exchanges, and we show that Reggeization breaks down for the imaginary part of the amplitude at next-to-leading logarithms and for the real part at next-to-next-to-leading logarithms. Our formalism applies to multiparticle amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics, and constrains possible corrections to the dipole formula starting at three loops.

All two-loop maximally helicity-violating amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics from applied symbology

Recent progress on scattering amplitudes has benefited from the mathematical technology of symbols for efficiently handling the types of polylogarithm functions which frequently appear in multiloop computations. The symbol for all two-loop maximally helicity violating amplitudes in planar supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is known, but explicit analytic formulas for the amplitudes are hard to come by except in special limits where things simplify, such as multi-Regge kinematics. By applying symbology we obtain a formula for the leading behavior of the imaginary part (the Mandelstam cut contribution) of this amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics for any number of gluons. Our result predicts a simple recursive structure which agrees with a direct Balitsky-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov computation carried out in a parallel publication.

The infrared structure of gauge theory amplitudes in the high-energy limit

We develop an approach to the high-energy limit of gauge theories based on the universal properties of their infrared singularities. Our main tool is the dipole formula, a compact ansatz for the all-order infrared singularity structure of scattering amplitudes of massless partons. By taking the high-energy limit, we show that the dipole formula implies Reggeization of infrared-singular contributions to the amplitude, at leading logarithmic accuracy, for the exchange of arbitrary color representations in the cross channel. We observe that the real part of the amplitude Reggeizes also at next-to-leading logarithmic order, and we compute the singular part of the two-loop Regge trajectory, which is universally expressed in terms of the cusp anomalous dimension. Our approach provides tools to study the high-energy limit beyond the boundaries of Regge factorization: thus we show that Reggeization generically breaks down at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, and provide a general expression for the leading Reggeization-breaking operator. Our approach applies to multiparticle amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics, and it also implies new constraints on possible corrections to the dipole formula, based on the Regge limit.

The imaginary part of the 𝒩 = 4 Super-Yang-Mills two-loop six-point MHV amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics

The precise form of the multi-Regge asymptotics of the two-loop six-point MHV amplitude in N = 4 Super-Yang-Mills theory has been a subject of recent controversy. In this paper we utilize the amplitude/Wilson loop correspondence to obtain precise numerical results for the imaginary part of these asymptotics. The region of phase-space that we consider is interesting because it allowed Bartels, Lipatov, and Sabio Vera to determine that the two-loop six-point MHV amplitude is not fixed by the BDS ansatz. They proceeded by working in the framework of a high energy effective action, thus side-stepping the need for an arduous two-loop calculation. Our numerical results are consistent with the predictions of Bartels, Lipatov, and Sabio Vera for the leading-log asymptotics.

Iterated amplitudes in the high-energy limit

We consider the high-energy limits of the colour ordered four-, five- and six-gluon MHV amplitudes of the maximally supersymmetric QCD in the multi-Regge kinematics where all the gluons are strongly ordered in rapidity. We show that various building blocks occurring in the Regge factorisation (the Regge trajectory, the coefficient functions and the Lipatov vertex) satisfy an iterative structure very similar to the Bern-Dixon-Smirnov (BDS) ansatz. This iterative structure, combined with the universality of the building blocks, enables us to show that in the Euclidean region any two- and three-loop amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics is guaranteed to satisfy the BDS ansatz. We also consider slightly more general kinematics where the strong rapidity ordering applies to all the gluons except the two with either the largest or smallest rapidities, and we derive the iterative formula for the associated coefficient function. We show that in this kinematic limit the BDS ansatz is also satisfied. Finally, we argue that only for more general kinematics - e.g. with three gluons having similar rapidities, or where the two central gluons have similar rapidities - can a disagreement with the BDS ansatz arise. Comment: Version corresponding to the Erratum sent to JHEP on October 16th 2009

A proof of fulfillment of the strong bootstrap condition

It is shown that the kernel of the BFKL equation for the octet color state of two Reggeized gluons satisfies the strong bootstrap condition in the next-to-leading order. This condition is much more restrictive than the one obtained from the requirement of the Reggeized form for the elastic scattering amplitudes in the next-to-leading approximation. It is necessary, however, for self-consistency of the assumption of the Reggeized form of the production amplitudes in multi-Regge kinematics, which are used in the derivation of the BFKL equation. The fulfillment of the strong bootstrap condition for the kernel opens the way to a rigorous proof of the BFKL equation in the next-to-leading approximation.

One-loop Reggeon-Reggeon-gluon vertex at arbitrary space-time dimension

In order to check the compatibility of gluon Reggeization in QCD with s-channel unitarity, the one-loop correction to the Reggeon-Reggeon-gluon vertex must be known at arbitrary space-time dimension D. We obtain this correction from the gluon production amplitude in multi-Regge kinematics and present an explicit expression for it in terms of a few integrals over the transverse momenta of virtual particles. The one-gluon contribution to the nonforward Balitskii-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov (BFKL) kernel at arbitrary D is also obtained.