NNLO QCD Corrections to t-channel Single Top-Quark Production and Decay

Abstract

We present a fully differential next-to-next-to-leading order calculation of t-channel single top-quark production and decay at the LHC under narrow-width approximation and neglecting cross-talk between incoming protons. We focus on the fiducial cross sections at 13 TeV, finding that the next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections can reach the level of -6%. The scale variations are reduced to the level of a percent. Our results can be used to improve experimental acceptance estimates and the measurements of the single top-quark production cross section and the top-quark electroweak couplings.

6 pages, 4 figures, version appear on PRD rapid communication