Double-pole approximation for leading-order semi-leptonic vector-boson scattering at the LHC

Measuring vector-boson scattering beyond the fully-leptonic final state is becoming possible at the LHC, which demands to have a solid control on the theory predictions for all final states of this class of processes. In this work we present a full off-shell leading-order calculation for the process pp→ℓν_ℓ + 4j in two fiducial regions which are particularly relevant for its experimental measurement. In addition to the fully electroweak order, i.e. 𝒪(α^6), we complement our results with 𝒪(α_sα^5) and 𝒪(α_s^2α^4) for inclusive predictions. At 𝒪(α^6) we present for the first time a systematic treatment of the process in double-pole approximation and we perform a detailed study of its range of validity by considering inclusive and differential predictions compared to the full off-shell calculation.