Foundations of Perturbative QCD

The most non-trivial of the established microscopic theories of physics is quantum chromodynamics, QCD, the theory of the strong interaction.

A critical link between theory and experiment is provided by the methods of perturbative QCD, notably the well-known factorization theorems.

Giving an accurate account of the concepts, theorems and their justification, this book is a systematic treatment of perturbative QCD.

As well as giving a mathematical treatment, the book relates the concepts to experimental data, giving strong motivations for the methods.

It also examines in detail transverse-momentum-dependent parton densities, an increasingly important subject not normally treated in other books.

Ideal for graduate students starting their work in high-energy physics, it will also interest experienced researchers wanting a clear account of the subject.

First published in 2011, this title has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.