Two-loop QCD Amplitudes from the Chiral Algebra Bootstrap

Abstract

We show that the chiral algebra bootstrap, which computes form factors of twistorial theories, can help determine two-loop amplitudes in massless QCD. We give an $n$-gluon result for a previously unknown partial amplitude of the two-loop all-plus-helicity QCD amplitude by utilizing supersymmetry Ward identities and known chiral algebra bootstrap results. We then show that the full-color two-loop $n$-gluon amplitude of QCD with $n_f$ quark flavors can be obtained from certain two-loop form factors of twistorial theories and one-loop and tree-level amplitudes. Chiral algebra bootstrap results exist for these form factors when all gluons have positive helicities. Hence, the bootstrap simplifies the computation of these two-loop amplitudes by one loop level.

10 pages, 5 figures