Large Multiplicity Gluon Production in QCD

Abstract

We compute the approximate cross section $\sigma_n^{(0)}$ for producing $n-2$ {\it resolved} gluons in a gluon-gluon collision, using the Parke-Taylor formula regularized in a Lorentz invariant manner. We find, in double leading logarithm approximation, that \[ \sigma_{n}^{(0)} \approx \frac{1}{s} \left( \frac{N_c\alpha_s}{2 \pi \sqrt{12}} \ \ln^{2} (s/s_{cut})\right)^{n-2}\ \ , \] where $\sqrt{s_{cut}}$ is the minimum invariant mass for a resolved gluon pair. There is no factor of $1/(n-2)!$ multiplying the expression. We present additional numerical results, and comment on their implications for perturbative calculations of $n$-jet cross sections at colliders.