Structure Function Approach to Vector-Boson Scattering in pp Collisions

Abstract

We discuss weak-vector-boson scattering, at next-to-leading order in QCD, within the framework of hadronic structure functions. We use this approach to calculate the Higgs-boson production cross section via vector-boson fusion at the LHC/SSC; we find a modest increase over the leading-order prediction. We also give expressions for the distribution of vector bosons in a proton (effective-$W$ approximation) including $\mathcal{O}(\hat{I}{\pm }_s)$ corrections.

11 pages, latex file, 2 figures. Figs. 2a and 2b appended as postscript files. Fig. 1 is available from the authors. Send request to HAN@FNAL VALENCIA@FNAL or SCOTTW@BNL