Direct Photon Production in Association with a Heavy Quark

• Other Authors: Stavreva, Tzvetalina P. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Physics
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1572

In this Thesis we present the Next-To-Leading-Order calculation, O(ααs2), of the inclusive cross section for a photon and a heavy quark (charm or bottom), p bar p / pp γ + Q +X, (Q=c,b) at hadron colliders. We include fragmentation effects through the Next-To-Leading-Order. This calculation is performed with the use of a phase space slicing technique so that the effects of experimental cuts can be easily included. We study in detail the characteristics of this process at both the Tevatron and the LHC. Results for the ratios of the charm and bottom cross sections are presented and the systematics of the various subprocesses are compared and contrasted. The theory predictions are compared to experimental measurements from the DO collaboration at Fermilab. A brief overview of the LO massive calculation is also presented, and compared to the NLO massless case. We predict that the investigation of this process and our results will be relevant in the study of heavy quark PDFs at the LHC. === A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Physics in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2009. === April 3, 2009. === Cross Section, Heavy Quark, Photon, QCD, Collider Physics === Includes bibliographical references. === Joseph F. Owens, III, Professor Directing Dissertation; William Dewar, Outside Committee Member; Laura Reina, Committee Member; Horst Wahl, Committee Member; Marcia Fenley, Committee Member.