Inclusive $D^*$ hadroproduction with massive quarks

Abstract

A calculation of the next-to-leading order cross section for the inclusive hadroproduction of charm quarks including heavy quark mass effects in the hard scattering cross sections is presented. It is described how the massive hard scattering cross sections are constructed from the corresponding cross sections in a fixed order calculation where collinear pieces associated with the heavy quark are not yet subtracted. By adjusting suitable subtraction terms a massive theory with MSbar subtraction is established which approaches the massless theory with increasing transverse momentum. These results will allow to have a more solid comparison with recent data for the inclusive $D^{\star\pm}$ cross section in $p\pbar$ collisions from the CDF collaboration at the Tevatron at $\sqrt{S} = 1.96 \tev$.