A new gauge-invariant double copy for heavy-mass effective theory

Abstract

We propose a new form of the colour-kinematics/double-copy duality for heavy-mass effective field theories, which we apply to construct compact expressions for tree amplitudes with heavy matter particles in Yang-Mills and in gravity to leading order in the mass. In this set-up, the new BCJ numerators are fixed uniquely and directly written in terms of field strengths, making gauge invariance manifest. Furthermore, they are local and automatically satisfy the Jacobi relations and crossing symmetry. We construct these BCJ numerators explicitly up to six particles. We also discuss relations of the BCJ numerators in the heavy-mass effective theory with those in pure Yang-Mills amplitudes.