Parton distribution functions and benchmark cross sections at next-to-next-to-leading order

Abstract

We present a determination of parton distribution functions (ABM11) and the strong coupling constant α s at next-to-leading order and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD based on world data for deep-inelastic scattering and fixed-target data for the Drell-Yan process. The analysis is performed in the fixed-flavor number scheme for n f=3, 4, 5 and uses the MS̄ scheme for α s and the heavy-quark masses. At NNLO we obtain the value α s(M Z)=0. 1134±0.0011. The fit results are used to compute benchmark cross sections at hadron colliders to NNLO accuracy and to compare to data from the LHC. © 2012 American Physical Society.