Three-Loop Polarization Function and ${\cal O}(\alpha_s^2)$ Corrections to the Production of Heavy Quarks

Abstract

The three-loop vacuum polarization function $\Pi(q^2)$ induced by a massive quark is calculated. A comprehensive description of the method is presented. From the imaginary part the ${\cal O}(\alpha_s^2)$ result for the production of heavy quarks $R(s)=\sigma(e^+e^-\to \mbox{hadrons})/\sigma(e^+e^-\to \mu^+\mu^-)$ can be extracted. Explicit formulae separated into the different colour factors are given.