NLO QCD corrections to the $B_c$-pair hadroproduction

Abstract

The $B_c$ meson pair, including pairs of pseudoscalar states and vector states, productions in proton-proton collisions are investigated at the next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy in the nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics factorization formalism. The corresponding cross sections at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with $\sqrt{s}=14\; \text{TeV}$ are evaluated. Numerical results indicate that the NLO corrections are substantial, and even dominate over the leading order contributions. Considering the predicted cross sections are sizable, the $B_c$-pair production is expected to be observable at the High-Luminosity LHC experiment.