From two to three jets in heavy boson decays: An algorithmic approach

The relation between two- and three-jet decays of vector particles is re-examined, with emphasis on the Monte Carlo simulation of multi-boson production processes such as e⁺e^- → W⁺W^-. An extremely simple algorithm is presented which allows one to include an extra gluon jet in two-jet decays while obtaining both momentum conservation and the correct angular correlations described by the complete vector boson production and three-jet decay amplitude.