Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders

Abstract We introduce a constructive method for defining a global loop-integrand basis for scattering amplitudes, encompassing both planar and nonplanar contributions. Our approach utilizes a graph-based framework to establish a well-defined, non-redundant basis of integrands. This basis, constructe...

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Main Authors: Zvi Bern, Enrico Herrmann, Radu Roiban, Michael S. Ruf, Mao Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2025)115
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author Zvi Bern
Enrico Herrmann
Radu Roiban
Michael S. Ruf
Mao Zeng
author_facet Zvi Bern
Enrico Herrmann
Radu Roiban
Michael S. Ruf
Mao Zeng
author_sort Zvi Bern
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We introduce a constructive method for defining a global loop-integrand basis for scattering amplitudes, encompassing both planar and nonplanar contributions. Our approach utilizes a graph-based framework to establish a well-defined, non-redundant basis of integrands. This basis, constructed from a chosen set of non-redundant graphs together with a selection of irreducible scalar products, provides clear insights into various physical properties of scattering amplitudes and proves useful in multiple contexts, such as on-shell Ward identities and manifesting gauge-choice independence. A key advantage of our integrand basis is its ability to streamline the generalized unitarity method. Specifically, we can directly read off the coefficients of basis elements without resorting to ansätze or solving linear equations. This novel approach allows us to lift generalized unitarity cuts — expressed as products of tree amplitudes — to loop-level integrands, facilitating the use of the tree-level double copy to generate complete gravitational integrands at any loop order. This method circumvents the difficulties in identifying complete higher-loop-order gauge-theory integrands that adhere to the color-kinematics duality. Additionally, our cut-based organization is well-suited for expansion in hard or soft limits, aiding in the exploration of ultraviolet or classical limits of scattering amplitudes.
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spelling doaj-art-e40b8b1c533b4f839b117cf0b680c4ea2025-08-20T03:04:21ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792025-06-012025615510.1007/JHEP06(2025)115Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop ordersZvi Bern0Enrico Herrmann1Radu Roiban2Michael S. Ruf3Mao Zeng4Mani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California at Los AngelesMani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California at Los AngelesInstitute for Gravitation and the Cosmos, Pennsylvania State UniversityMani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California at Los AngelesSchool of Physics and Astronomy, University of EdinburghAbstract We introduce a constructive method for defining a global loop-integrand basis for scattering amplitudes, encompassing both planar and nonplanar contributions. Our approach utilizes a graph-based framework to establish a well-defined, non-redundant basis of integrands. This basis, constructed from a chosen set of non-redundant graphs together with a selection of irreducible scalar products, provides clear insights into various physical properties of scattering amplitudes and proves useful in multiple contexts, such as on-shell Ward identities and manifesting gauge-choice independence. A key advantage of our integrand basis is its ability to streamline the generalized unitarity method. Specifically, we can directly read off the coefficients of basis elements without resorting to ansätze or solving linear equations. This novel approach allows us to lift generalized unitarity cuts — expressed as products of tree amplitudes — to loop-level integrands, facilitating the use of the tree-level double copy to generate complete gravitational integrands at any loop order. This method circumvents the difficulties in identifying complete higher-loop-order gauge-theory integrands that adhere to the color-kinematics duality. Additionally, our cut-based organization is well-suited for expansion in hard or soft limits, aiding in the exploration of ultraviolet or classical limits of scattering amplitudes.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2025)115Scattering AmplitudesEffective Field Theories
spellingShingle Zvi Bern
Enrico Herrmann
Radu Roiban
Michael S. Ruf
Mao Zeng
Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
Journal of High Energy Physics
Scattering Amplitudes
Effective Field Theories
title Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
title_full Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
title_fullStr Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
title_full_unstemmed Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
title_short Global bases for nonplanar loop integrands, generalized unitarity, and the double copy to all loop orders
title_sort global bases for nonplanar loop integrands generalized unitarity and the double copy to all loop orders
topic Scattering Amplitudes
Effective Field Theories
url https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2025)115
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