Stevenson, Paul M.2009-06-042009-06-041998Caveny, Scott Andrew. "'Freezing' in perturbative quantum chromodynamics: The Banks-Zaks expansion and leading-b resummations." (1998) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17158">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17158</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17158We find evidence for an infrared fixed point in perturbative QCD using two complementary approximations: The Banks-Zaks expansion and the large-b resummations. Analyzing the $e\sp+e\sp-$ annihilation ratio and the polarized Bjorken-sum-rule of deep-inelastic-scattering, we use the recent calculation of the renormalization-group $\beta$-function to four-loops in QCD to confirm that the Banks-Zaks expansion is relevant when extrapolated from sixteen down to two light quark flavors. We also search for indications of infrared 'freezing' in the Borel-renormalon-inspired 'large-b' resummations. We find the 'large-b' approximation also indicates perturbative 'freezing' of the $e\sp+e\sp-$ annihilation ratio and the polarized Bjorken-sum-rule at leading order. Finally, we study the region, $n\sb{f}$ = 2, where the 'large-$n\sb{f}$' resummation and Banks-Zaks expansion complement one another. We conclude that there is strong evidence for the existence of a perturbative infrared fixed point in the Standard Model QCD.96 p.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Particle physicsElementary particlesHigh energy physicsThesisThesis Phys. 1998 Caveny