STANDARD-MODEL PREDICTIONS FOR W-PAIR PRODUCTION IN ELECTRON-POSITRONCOLLISIONS

We review the status of the theoretical predictions for W-pair product ion in e(+)e(-) collisions within the electroweak standard model (SM). We first consider for on-shell W bosons the lowest-order cross-sectio n within the SM, the general effects of anomalous couplings, the radia tive corrections within the SM, and approximations for them. Then we d iscuss the inclusion of finite-width effects in the lowest order and t he existing results for radiative corrections to off-shell W-pair prod uction, and we outline the general strategy for calculating radiative corrections within the pole scheme. We summarize the theoretical predi ctions for the total and partial W-boson widths including radiative co rrections and discuss the quality of an improved Born approximation. F inally, we provide a general discussion on the structure-function meth od for calculating large-logarithmic higher-order corrections associat ed with collinear photon radiation.