Hybrid kT-factorization at NLO

Abstract

We show how the hybrid high-energy factorization formula, in which one initial-state parton momentum is space-like and carries non-vanishing transverse components while the other is on-shell, can be promoted to next-to-leading order (NLO). All non-cancelling soft and collinear divergences in the real and virtual contribution for the partonic cross section are identified, and we observe that they force to change the interpretation of the factorization formula. Coincidentally, expressions for inclusive NLO quark-and gluon impact factor corrections known in literature are recovered.