PDF evolution in alternative factorisation schemes

Abstract

Beyond leading order, parton distribution functions (PDFs) require a choice of factorisation scheme to be defined unambiguously. Different choices of factorisation scheme lead to PDFs that satisfy modified DGLAP evolution equations, relative to the conventional $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme. In this paper we derive the NLO DGLAP splitting functions for PDFs in alternative factorisation schemes, including for a parametrised scheme spanning a subspace of the general factorisation-scheme space. We plot their Mellin-space counterparts, the anomalous dimensions, and study the leading large- and small-$x$ behaviour, relevant to resummation. We find that the leading behaviour admits a natural interpretation as a modified effective evolution scale. This is an essential step towards being able to evolve and fit PDFs in alternative schemes for use within QCD calculations.