Double-pole approximation for leading-order semi-leptonic vector-boson scattering at the LHC

Abstract

Measuring vector-boson scattering beyond the fully-leptonic final state is becoming possible at the LHC, which demands to have a solid control on the theory predictions for all final states of this class of processes. In this work we present a full off-shell leading-order calculation for the process $\mathrm{pp}\to \ell \hat{I}{½}_{\ell }+4\mathrm{j}$ in two fiducial regions which are particularly relevant for its experimental measurement. In addition to the fully electroweak order, i.e. $\mathcal{O}(\hat{I}{\pm }^6)$, we complement our results with $\mathcal{O}(\hat{I}{\pm }_{\mathrm{s}}\hat{I}{\pm }^5)$ and $\mathcal{O}(\hat{I}{\pm }_{\mathrm{s}}^2\hat{I}{\pm }^4)$ for inclusive predictions. At $\mathcal{O}(\hat{I}{\pm }^6)$ we present for the first time a systematic treatment of the process in double-pole approximation and we perform a detailed study of its range of validity by considering inclusive and differential predictions compared to the full off-shell calculation.

48 pages, 18 figures, two references added, version of JHEP