A fixed-order calculation of the heavy-quark fragmentation function in e(+)e(-) collisions

We use a recently completed O(alpha(s)(2)) fixed-order calculation of the h eavy-flavour production cross section in e(+)e(-) collisions to compute the heavy-quark fragmentation function. We fit the result of our calculation, convoluted with a Peterson fragmentation function, to available data for ch arm production, and thus obtain a value for the parameter epsilon in the Pe terson function. We discuss the relevance of mass effects and of subleading terms in our calculation. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.