Threshold resummation for the prompt-photon cross section revisited

Abstract

We study the resummation of large logarithmic perturbative corrections to the partonic cross sections relevant for the process pp→γX at high transverse momentum of the photon. These corrections arise near the threshold for the partonic reaction and are associated with soft-gluon emission. We especially focus on the resummation effects for the contribution to the cross section where the photon is produced in jet fragmentation. Previous calculations in perturbation theory at fixed order have established that this contribution is a subdominant part of the cross section. We find, however, that it is subject to much larger resummation effects than the direct (nonfragmentation) piece and therefore appears to be a significant contribution in the fixed-target regime, not much suppressed with respect to the direct part. Inclusion of threshold resummation for the fragmentation piece leads to some improvement in comparisons between theoretical calculations and experimental data. © 2005 The American Physical Society.