Differential and total cross sections for top pair and single top production

TL;DR

This work delivers high-precision approximate NNLO predictions for top-quark production at the Tevatron and LHC by expanding NNLL-resummed results for both $t\bar{t}$ and single-top processes. It demonstrates the reliability of the threshold-based approach at LHC energies and provides detailed differential distributions, including new 8 TeV results and $p_T$/rapidity profiles. The study covers all major production channels—$t\bar{t}$, $t$-channel, $s$-channel, $tW$, and $tH^-$—and includes a Tevatron forward-backward asymmetry, reinforcing agreement with existing data and supporting precise SM phenomenology for current and future colliders.

Abstract

I present theoretical results at approximate NNLO from NNLL resummation for top quark production at the LHC and the Tevatron, including new results at 8 TeV LHC energy. Total cross sections are shown for t tbar production, for single top production in the t and s channels and via associated tW production, and for associated tH- production. Top quark transverse momentum and rapidity distributions in t tbar production are also presented, as well as new results for t-channel single top and single antitop pT distributions.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Top quark $p_T$ distribution at the LHC (left) and the Tevatron (right).
• Figure 2: Top quark $p_T$ (left) and rapidity (right) distributions at the LHC [$m_T=\sqrt{p_T^2+m_t^2}$].
• Figure 3: $t$-channel total cross section versus collider energy (left) and $t$-channel top quark $p_T$ distribution at the Tevatron (right).
• Figure 4: $t$-channel top (left) and antitop (right) $p_T$ distributions at the LHC.
• Figure 5: $s$-channel total and $tW^-$ (left) and $tH^-$ (right) production cross sections.