vh@nnlo - Higgs Strahlung at hadron colliders

TL;DR

vh@nnlo provides a numerical framework to compute the inclusive cross section for associated Higgs production with a W or Z boson in the SM, incorporating NNLO QCD and NLO electroweak effects. The cross section is built from Drell-Yan-like NNLO QCD terms, plus separately computed ggHZ and top-quark loop contributions, with electroweak corrections applied multiplicatively. The package relies on LHAPDF, CUBA VEGAS, and LoopTools/FF, and outputs a detailed sigma_tot along with its constituent components and necessary citations. The study characterizes the quantitative impact of higher-order corrections and emphasizes the program's utility for precise predictions at the LHC, including flexibility to adjust PDFs and scales.

Abstract

A numerical program for the evaluation of the inclusive cross section for associated Higgs production with a massive weak gauge boson at hadron colliders is described, sigma(pp/pbar p -> HV), V=W,Z. The calculation is performed in the framework of the Standard Model and includes next-to-next-to-leading order QCD as well as next-to-leading order electro-weak effects.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: Tree-level Feynman diagrams contributing to the processes (a) $q\bar{q}\to V\!H$ and (b) $q\bar{q}\to V\!Hg$. By crossing, one also obtains the diagrams contributing to $qg\to V\!Hq$ and $\bar{q}g\to V\!H\bar{q}$.
• Figure 2: Sample diagrams giving rise to the ${\cal O}(g^3\lambda_t\alpha_s^2)$ terms in the cross section
• Figure 3: A ${\cal O}(g^3\lambda_t\alpha_s^2)$ contributions only present for $Z\!H$ production. Diagram (c) gives rise to the $q\bar{q}\to Z\!Hg$, $qg\to Z\!Hq$, and $\bar{q}g\to Z\!H\bar{q}$ processes.
• Figure 4: Typical diagram for the .9 ggHZ contribution.