The double-real part of NNLO matching with logarithmically accurate showers for $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ collisions

Abstract

We discuss key principles that need to be taken into account for higher-order matching to retain the logarithmic accuracy of parton showers, specifically in a context where the matching takes full responsibility for the first $n$ emissions. Failure to respect these principles breaks exponentiation and generates spurious leading-colour super-leading logarithms. Focusing on $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ collisions, and the PanScales showers, we construct a matching procedure that incorporates the leading-colour double-real, $\mathcal{O}({\alpha }_s^2)$, contributions. It relies on new expressions for the inversion of these showers for any number of emissions, and extends techniques developed recently for the higher-order infrared limits of showers. Together, these ingredients allow us to use our showers as full phase-space generators. Our work establishes an important stepping stone towards logarithmically accurate NNLO matching.

arXiv comment35 pages, 9 figures