Perturbative and Non-Perturbative Issues in Heavy Quark Fragmentation

Abstract

We review the state-of-the-art of our understanding of heavy quark fragmentation. Recent e^+e^- data for B mesons are compared to the most up-to-date theoretical predictions, and the need for inclusion of a non-perturbative component is discussed. Experimental analyses in moments space are suggested, and it is pointed out how perturbative and non-perturbative contributions are to be properly matched. Failure to do so can result in large phenomenological discrepancies. An example is given for B^+ hadroproduction at the Tevatron.