Polarized top decay into polarized W: t(up)->W(up) + b at O(alpha_s)

Abstract

We consider the decay of a polarized top quark into a polarized W-boson plus a bottom quark, followed by the decay of the W-boson into a pair of leptons or quarks. The polar angle distribution of the top spin relative to the W-momentum and the polar angle distribution of the lepton (or quark) in the W-rest frame is governed by three polarized and three unpolarized rate functions which are related to the double density matrix elements of the decay $t \to W^+ + b$. We obtain analytical expressions for the $O(α_s)$ radiative corrections to the three polarized and three unpolarized rate functions. We also provide a comprehensive discussion of the dependence of the longitudinal, transverse and normal polarization of the top quarks produced at $e^+e^-$-colliders on beam polarization parameters.

13 pages, 3 postscript figures added, file standard.sty included, material on normal polarization added, some misprints corrected