The Algebraic Method

Combining the effect of an intermediate renormalization prescription (zero momentum subtraction) and the background field method (BFM), we show that the algebraic renormalization procedure needed for the computation of radiative corrections within non-invariant regularization schemes is drastically simplified. The present technique is suitable for gauge models and, here, is applied to the Standard Model. The use of the BFM allows a powerful organization of the counterterms and avoids complicated Slavnov-Taylor identities. Furthermore, the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) variation of background fields plays a special role in disentangling Ward-Takahashi identities (WTI) and Slavnov-Taylor identities (STI). Finally, the strategy to be applied to physical processes is exemplified for the process $b\to s\gamma$.Comment: Latex, 38 page

Second Order Corrections to the Muon Lifetime and the Semileptonic B Decay

In this article two-loop QED corrections to the muon decay and corrections of order $\alpha_s^2$ to the semileptonic decay of the bottom quark are considered. We compute the imaginary part of the four-loop diagrams contributing to the corresponding fermion propagator in the limit of small external momentum. The on-shell condition is obtained with the help of a conformal mapping and Pad\'e approximation. Via this method we confirm the existing results by an independent calculation.Comment: LaTeX, 11 pages, 1 figur

Complete Corrections of O(\alpha\alpha_s) to the Decay of the Z Boson into Bottom Quarks

For the vertex corrections to the partial decay rate $\Gamma(Z \to b\bar{b})$ involving the top quark only the leading terms of order $\alpha\alpha_s$ in the $1/M_t$ expansion are known. In this work we compute the missing next-to-leading corrections. Thus at $O(\alpha\alpha_s)$ the complete corrections to the decay of the Z boson into bottom quarks are at hand.Comment: Latex, 11 pages, 1 figure included as ps-file. Two references changed. The complete paper is also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ttpux2.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/ttp97/ttp97-52/ or via www at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/cgi-bin/preprints

Two-loop matching coefficients for the strong coupling in the MSSM

When relating the strong coupling $\alpha_s$, measured at the scale of the $Z$ boson mass, to its numerical value at some higher energy, for example the scale of Grand Unification, it is important to include higher order corrections both in the running of $\alpha_s$ and the decoupling of the heavy particles. We compute the two-loop matching coefficients for $\alpha_s$ within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) which are necessary for a consistent three-loop evolution of the strong coupling constant. Different scenarios for the hierarchy of the supersymmetric scales are considered and the numerical effects are discussed. We find that the three-loop effects can be as large as and sometimes even larger than the uncertainty induced by the current experimental accuracy of $\alpha_s(M_Z)$.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures (13 ps/eps-files

Massive Quark Production in Electron Positron Annihilation to Order αs2\alpha_s^2

Recent analytical and numerical results for the three-loop polarization function allow to present a phenomenological analysis of the cross section for massive quark production in electron positron annihilation to order $\alpha_s^2$. Numerical predictions based on fixed order perturbation theory are presented for charm and bottom production above 5 and 11.5 GeV, respectively. The contribution from these energy regions to $\alpha(M_Z^2)$, the running QED coupling constant at scale M_Z, are given. The dominant terms close to threshold, i.e. in an expansion for small quark velocity $\beta$, are presented.Comment: 26 pages (Latex), 16 figures (Postscript

Strong-Coupling Constant at Three Loops in Momentum Subtraction Scheme

In this paper we compute the three-loop corrections to the $\beta$ function in a momentum subtraction (MOM) scheme with a massive quark. The calculation is performed in the background field formalism applying asymptotic expansions for small and large momenta. Special emphasis is devoted to the relation between the coupling constant in the MOM and $\overline{\rm{MS}}$ schemes as well as their ability to describe the phenomenon of decoupling. It is demonstrated by an explicit comparison that the $\overline{\rm{MS}}$ scheme can be consistently used to relate the values of the MOM-scheme strong-coupling constant in the energy regions higher and lower than the massive-quark production threshold. This procedure obviates the necessity to know the full mass dependence of the MOM $\beta$ function and clearly demonstrates the equivalence of both schemes for the description of physics outside the threshold region.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure

Double Bubble Corrections to Heavy Quark Production

Second order ${\cal O}(\alpha_s^2)$ corrections to the heavy quark production cross-section due to massless quarks and coloured scalars are calculated for all energies above threshold. Based on the method introduced in this letter also the gauge non-invariant second order corrections due to the pure gluonic selfenergy insertion and a certain class of ${\cal{O}}(\alpha_s^3)$ and ${\cal{O}}(\alpha_s^4)$ corrections are determined. For the special choice of the gauge parameter, $\xi=4$, the leading threshold and high energy behaviour of the pure second order gluonic corrections to the cross-section are governed by the gluonic self energy insertion.Comment: 9 pages, latex, 17 figures, the complete postscript file of this preprint, including figures, is available via anonymous ftp at ftp://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/ttp96-04/ttp96-04.ps (129.13.102.139) or via www at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/cgi-bin/preprints