The QCD NLO fragmentation functions for $c$ or $\bar{b}$ quark to $B_c$ or $B_c^*$ meson and their application

Abstract

The fragmentation functions for $c$ or $\bar{b}$ quark to $B_c$ or $B_c^*$ meson are derived up to QCD next-to-leading order (NLO). They are further computed numerically and presented in figures precisely. In order to reach a higher accuracy, we have also tried properly to apply them to estimating the $B_c$ and $B_c^*$ production at a $Z$-factory (an $e^+e^-$ collider running at the energy of the $Z$-boson pole).