A numerical evaluation of the scalar hexagon integral in the physical region

We derive an analytic expression for the scalar one-loop pentagon and hexagon functions which is convenient for subsequent numerical integration. These functions are of relevance in the computation of next-to-leading order radiative corrections to multi-particle cross sections. The hexagon integral is represented in terms of n-dimensional triangle functions and (n + 2)-dimensional box functions. If infrared poles are present this representation naturally splits into a finite and a pole part. For a fast numerical integration of the finite part we propose simple one- and two-dimensional integral representations. We set up an iterative numerical integration method to calculate these integrals directly in an efficient way. The method is illustrated by-explicit results for pentagon and hexagon functions with some generic physical kinematics. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.