Positive Helicity Gluons Research Articles

Biadjoint scalars and associahedra from residues of generalized amplitudes

In the Grassmannian formulation of the S-matrix for planar N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 4 Super Yang-Mills, Nk−2MHV scattering amplitudes for k negative and n − k positive helicity gluons can be expressed, by an application of the global residue theorem, as a signed sum over a collection of (k − 2)(n − k − 2)-dimensional residues. These residues are supported on certain positroid subvarieties of the Grassmannian G(k, n). In this paper, we replace the Grassmannian G(3, n) with its torus quotient, the moduli space of n points in the projective plane in general position, and planar N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 4 SYM with generalized biadjoint scalar amplitudes mn3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {m}_n^{(3)} $$\\end{document} as introduced by Cachazo-Early-Guevara-Mizera (CEGM) [1]. Whereas in the Grassmannian formulation residues of the Parke-Taylor form correspond to individual BCFW, or on-shell diagrams, we show that each such (n − 5)-dimensional residue of mn3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {m}_n^{(3)} $$\\end{document} an entire biadjoint scalar partial amplitude mn2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {m}_n^{(2)} $$\\end{document}, that is a sum over all tree-level Feynman diagrams for a fixed planar order. We make a proposal which would do the same for k ≥ 4.

All-order celestial OPE in the MHV sector

On-shell kinematics for gluon scattering can be parametrized with points on the celestial sphere; in the limit where these points collide, it is known that tree-level gluon scattering amplitudes exhibit an operator product expansion (OPE)-like structure. While it is possible to obtain singular contributions to this celestial OPE, getting regular contributions from both holomorphic and anti-holomorphic sectors is more difficult. In this paper, we use twistor string theory to describe the maximal helicity violating (MHV) sector of tree-level, four-dimensional gluon scattering as an effective 2d conformal field theory on the celestial sphere. By organizing the OPE between vertex operators in this theory in terms of soft gluon descendants, we obtain all-order expressions for the celestial OPE which include all regular contributions in the collinear expansion. This gives new, all-order formulae for the collinear splitting function (in momentum space) and celestial OPE coefficients (in the conformal primary basis) of tree-level MHV gluon scattering. We obtain these results for both positive and negative helicity gluons, and for any incoming/outgoing kinematic configuration within the MHV sector.

MHV gluon scattering amplitudes from celestial current algebras

We show that the Mellin transform of an n-point tree level MHV gluon scattering amplitude, also known as the celestial amplitude in pure Yang-Mills theory, satisfies a system of (n−2) linear first order partial differential equations corresponding to (n−2) positive helicity gluons. Although these equations closely resemble Knizhnik-Zamoldochikov equations for SU(N) current algebra there is also an additional “correction” term coming from the subleading soft gluon current algebra. These equations can be used to compute the leading term in the gluon-gluon OPE on the celestial sphere. Similar equations can also be written down for the momentum space tree level MHV scattering amplitudes. We also propose a way to deal with the non closure of subleading current algebra generators under commutation. This is then used to compute some subleading terms in the mixed helicity gluon OPE.

General expressions for extra-dimensional tree amplitudes and all-plus 1-loop integrands in mathcal {Q}-cut representation

In this paper, we give the general expressions for a special series of tree amplitudes of the Yang–Mills theory. This series of amplitudes have two adjacent massless spin-1 particles with extra-dimensional momenta and any number of positive helicity gluons. With special helicity choices, we use the spinor helicity formalism to express these n-point amplitudes in compact forms, and find a clever way to use the BCFW recursion relations to prove the results. Then these amplitudes are used to form the complete 1-loop all-plus integrand with any number of gluons, expressed in the mathcal {Q}-cut representation.

Multi-soft gluon limits and extended current algebras at null-infinity

In this note we consider aspects of the current algebra interpretation of multisoft limits of tree-level gluon scattering amplitudes in four dimensions. Building on the relation between a positive helicity gluon soft-limit and the Ward identity for a level-zero Kac-Moody current, we use the double-soft limit to define the Sugawara energy-momentum tensor and, by using the triple- and quadruple-soft limits, show that it satisfies the correct OPEs for a CFT. We study the resulting Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations and show that they hold for positive helicity gluons in MHV amplitudes. Turning to the sub-leading soft-terms we define a one-parameter family of currents whose Ward identities corresponding to the universal tree-level sub-leading soft-behaviour. We compute the algebra of these currents formed with the leading currents and amongst themselves. Finally, by parameterising the ambiguity in the double-soft limit for mixed helicities, we introduce a non-trivial OPE between the holomorphic and anti-holomorphic currents and study some of its implications.

Multi-soft theorems in gauge theory from MHV diagrams

In this work we employ the MHV technique to show that scattering amplitudes with any number of consecutive soft particles behave universally in the multi-soft limit in which all particles go soft simultaneously. After identifying the diagrams which give the leading contribution we give the general rules for writing down compact expressions for the multi-soft factor of m gluons, k of which have negative helicity. We explicitly consider the cases where k equals 1 and 2. In N =4 SYM, the multi-soft factors of 2 scalars or 2 fermions forming a singlet of SU(4) R-symmetry, and m-2 positive helicity gluons are derived. The special case of the double-soft limit gives an amplitude whose leading divergence is 1/\delta^2 and not 1/\delta as in the case of 2 scalars or 2 fermions that do not form a singlet under SU(4). The construction based on the analytic supervertices allows us to obtain simple expressions for the triple-soft limit of 1 scalar and 2 positive helicity fermions, as well as for the quadrapole-soft limit of 4 positive helicity fermions, in a singlet configuration.

Holonomies of gauge fields in twistor space 6: Incorporation of massive fermions

Following the previous paper arXiv:1205.4827, we formulate an S-matrix functional for massive fermion ultra-helicity-violating (UHV) amplitudes, i.e., scattering amplitudes of positive-helicity gluons and a pair of massive fermions. The S-matrix functional realizes a massive extension of the Cachazo–Svrcek–Witten (CSW) rules in a functional language. Mass-dimension analysis implies that interactions among gluons and massive fermions should be decomposed into three-point massive fermion subamplitudes. Namely, such interactions are represented by combinations of three-point UHV and next-to-UHV (NUHV) vertices. This feature is qualitatively different from the massive scalar amplitudes where the number of involving gluons can be arbitrary.

All one-loop NMHV gluon amplitudes in $ \mathcal{N} $ = 1 SYM

Abstract We compute the next-to-maximally-helicity-violating one-loop n-gluon amplitudes in $ \mathcal{N} $ = 1 super-Yang-Mills theory. These amplitudes contain three negative-helicity gluons and an arbitrary number of positive-helicity gluons, and constitute the first infinite series of amplitudes beyond the simplest, MHV, amplitudes. We assemble ingredients from the $ \mathcal{N} $ = 4 NMHV tree super-amplitude into previously unwritten double cuts and use the spinor integration technique to calculate all bubble coefficients. We also derive the missing box coefficients from quadruple cuts. Together with the known formula for three-mass triangles, this completes the set of NMHV one-loop master integral coefficients in $ \mathcal{N} $ = 1 SYM. To facilitate further use of our results, we provide their Mathematica implementation.

Massive amplitudes on the Coulomb branch of $$ \mathcal{N} = 4 $$ SYM

We initiate a systematic study of amplitudes with massive external particles on the Coulomb-branch of $$ \mathcal{N} = 4 $$ super Yang Mills theory: 1) We propose that (multi-)soft-scalar limits of massless amplitudes at the origin of moduli space can be used to determine Coulomb-branch amplitudes to leading order in the mass. This is demonstrated in numerous examples. 2) We find compact explicit expressions for several towers of tree-level amplitudes, including scattering of two massive W -bosons with any number of positive helicity gluons, valid for all values of the mass. 3) We present the general structure of superamplitudes on the Coulomb branch. For example, the n-point “MHV-band” superamplitude is proportional to a Grassmann polynomial of mixed degree 4 to 12, which is uniquely determined by supersymmetry. We find explicit tree-level superamplitudes for this MHV band and for other simple sectors of the theory. 4) Dual conformal generators are constructed, and we explore the dual conformal properties of the simplest massive amplitudes. Our compact expressions for amplitudes and superamplitudes should be of both theoretical and phenomenological interest; in particular the tree-level results carry over to truncations of the theory with less supersymmetry.

One-loop QCD and Higgs bosons to partons processes using six-dimensional helicity and generalized unitarity

We combine the six-dimensional helicity formalism of Cheung and O'Connell with D-dimensional generalized unitarity to obtain a new formalism for computing one-loop amplitudes in dimensionally regularized QCD. With this procedure, we simultaneously obtain the pieces that are constructible from four-dimensional unitarity cuts and the rational pieces that are missed by them, while retaining a helicity formalism. We illustrate the procedure using four- and five-point one-loop amplitudes in QCD, including examples with external fermions. We also demonstrate the technique's effectiveness in next-to-leading order QCD corrections to Higgs processes by computing the next-to-leading order correction to the Higgs plus three positive-helicity gluons amplitude in the large top-quark mass limit.

Form factors in $ \mathcal{N} = 4 $ super Yang-Mills and periodic Wilson loops

We calculate form factors of half-BPS operators in \( \mathcal{N} = 4 \) super Yang-Mills theory at tree level and one loop using novel applications of recursion relations and unitarity. In particular, we determine the expression of the one-loop form factors with two scalars and an arbitrary number of positive-helicity gluons. These quantities resemble closely the MHV scattering amplitudes, including holomorphicity of the tree-level form factor, and the expansion in terms of two-mass easy box functions of the one-loop result. Next, we compare our result for these form factors to the calculation of a particular periodic Wilson loop at one loop, finding agreement. This suggests a novel duality relating form factors to periodic Wilson loops.

One-loop ϕ-MHV amplitudes using the unitarity bootstrap: the general helicity case

We consider a Higgs boson coupled to gluons via the five-dimensional effective operator HtrGμνGμν. We treat H as the real part of a complex field that couples to the selfdual gluon field strengths and compute the one-loop corrections to the -MHV amplitudes involving , two negative helicity gluons and an arbitrary number of positive helicity gluons. Our results generalise earlier work where the two negative helicity gluons were constrained to be colour adjacent. We use four-dimensional unitarity to construct the cut-containing contributions and the recently developed recursion relations to obtain the rational contribution for an arbitrary number of external gluons. We solve the recursion relations and give explicit results for up to four external gluons. These amplitudes are relevant for Higgs plus jet production via gluon fusion in the limit where the top quark mass is large compared to all other scales in the problem.

One-loop phi-MHV amplitudes using the unitarity bootstrap

We consider a Higgs boson coupled to gluons via the five-dimensional effective operator HtrGμνGμν produced by considering the heavy top quark limit of the one-loop coupling of Higgs and gluons in the standard model. We treat H as the real part of a complex field that couples to the selfdual gluon field strengths and compute the one-loop corrections to amplitudes involving , two colour adjacent negative helicity gluons and an arbitrary number of positive helicity gluons - the so-called -MHV amplitudes. We use four-dimensional unitarity to construct the cut-containing contributions and the recently developed recursion relations to obtain the rational contribution for an arbitrary number of external gluons. We solve the recursion relations and give explicit results for up to four external gluons. These amplitudes are relevant for Higgs plus jet production via gluon fusion in the limit where the top quark mass is large compared to all other scales in the problem.

On-shell recursion relations for all Born QCD amplitudes

We consider on-shell recursion relations for all Born QCD amplitudes. This includes amplitudes with several pairs of quarks and massive quarks. We give a detailed description on how to shift the external particles in spinor space and clarify the allowed helicities of the shifted legs. We proof that the corresponding meromorphic functions vanish at z --> infinity. As an application we obtain compact expressions for helicity amplitudes including a pair of massive quarks, one negative helicity gluon and an arbitrary number of positive helicity gluons.

Amplitudes in pure Yang-Mills and MHV Diagrams

We show how to calculate the one-loop scattering amplitude with all gluons of negative helicity in non-supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory using MHV diagrams. We argue that the amplitude with all positive helicity gluons arises from a Jacobian which occurs when one performs a Bäcklund-type holomorphic change of variables in the lightcone Yang-Mills Lagrangian. This also results in contributions to scattering amplitudes from violations of the equivalence theorem. Furthermore, we discuss how the one-loop amplitudes with a single positive or negative helicity gluon arise in this formalism. Perturbation theory in the new variables leads to a hybrid of MHV diagrams and lightcone Yang-Mills theory.

Compact Multigluonic Scattering Amplitudes with Heavy Scalars and Fermions

Combining the Berends-Giele and on-shell recursion relations we obtain an extremely compact expression for the scattering amplitude of a complex massive scalar-antiscalar pair and an arbitrary number of positive helicity gluons. This is one of the basic building blocks for constructing other helicity configurations from recursion relations. We also show explicitly that the scattering amplitude of massive fermions to gluons, all with positive helicity, is proportional to the scalar one, confirming in this way the recently advocated SUSY-like Ward identities relating both amplitudes.

Last of the finite loop amplitudes in QCD

We use on-shell recursion relations to determine the one-loop QCD scattering amplitudes with a massless external quark pair and an arbitrary number (n-2) of positive-helicity gluons. These amplitudes are the last of the unknown infrared- and ultraviolet-finite loop amplitudes of QCD. The recursion relations are similar to ones applied at tree level, but contain new non-trivial features corresponding to poles present for complex momentum arguments but absent for real momenta. We present the relations and the compact solutions to them, valid for all n. We also present compact forms for the previously-computed one-loop n-gluon amplitudes with a single negative helicity and the rest positive helicity.

All next-to-maximally-helicity-violating one-loop gluon amplitudes inN=4super-Yang-Mills theory

We compute the next-to-MHV one-loop n-gluon amplitudes in N=4 super-Yang-Mills theory. These amplitudes contain three negative-helicity gluons and an arbitrary number of positive-helicity gluons, and are the first infinite series of amplitudes beyond the simplest, MHV, amplitudes. We also discuss some aspects of their twistor-space structure.

All split helicity tree-level gluon amplitudes

Recently a new recursion relation for tree-level gluon amplitudes in gauge theory has been discovered. We solve this recursion to obtain explicit formulas for the closed set of amplitudes with arbitrarily many positive and negative helicity gluons in a split helicity configuration. The solution admits a simple diagrammatic expansion in terms of ``zigzag'' diagrams. We comment on generalizations of this result.

Multi-gluon collinear limits from MHV diagrams

We consider the multi-collinear limit of multi-gluon QCD amplitudes at tree level. We use the MHV rules for constructing colour ordered tree amplitudes and the general collinear factorization formula to derive timelike splitting functions that are valid for specific numbers of negative helicity gluons and an arbitrary number of positive helicity gluons (or vice versa). As an example we present new results describing the collinear limits of up to six gluons.