PDF reweighting in the Hessian matrix approach

We introduce the Hessian reweighting of parton distribution functions (PDFs). Similarly to the better-known Bayesian methods, its purpose is to address the compatibility of new data and the quantitative modifications they induce within an existing set of PDFs. By construction, the method discussed here applies to the PDF fits that carried out a Hessian error analysis using a non-zero tolerance $\Delta\chi^2$. The principle is validated by considering a simple, transparent example. We are also able to establish an agreement with the Bayesian technique provided that the tolerance criterion is appropriately accounted for and that a purely exponential Bayesian likelihood is assumed. As a practical example, we discuss the inclusive jet production at the LHC.Comment: The final version, to appear in JHE

Neutron skin and centrality classification in high-energy heavy-ion collisions at the LHC

The concept of centrality in high-energy nuclear collisions has recently become a subject of an active debate. In particular, the experimental methods to determine the centrality that have given reasonable results for many observables in high-energy lead-lead collisions at the LHC have led to surprising behavior in the case of proton-lead collisions. In this letter, we discuss the possibility to calibrate the experimental determination of centrality by asymmetries caused by mutually different spatial distributions of protons and neutrons inside the nuclei - a well-known phenomenon in nuclear physics known as the neutron-skin effect. (C) 2015 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

nPDF constraints from the Large Hadron Electron Collider

An updated analysis regarding the expected nuclear PDF constraints from the future Large Hadron Electron Collider (LHeC) experiment is presented. The new study is based on a more flexible small-$x$ parametrization which provides less biased uncertainty estimates in the region where there are currently no data constraints. The effect of the LHeC is quantified by directly including a sample of pseudodata according to the expected precision of this planned experiment. As a result, a significant reduction of the small-$x$ uncertainties in sea quarks and gluons is observed.Comment: Talk presented at DIS2016 conference, April 11 - April 15, 2016, DESY, Hamburg, German

Electron-Ion Physics with the LHeC

The Large Hadron Electron Collider (LHeC) project is the proposal to use the existing LHC proton/ion beams and construct a new electron beam line to perform high-energy electron-proton/ion collisions. In this talk, we consider some of the physics topics that could be studied in the electron-ion mode. In particular, we estimate how much the current nuclear parton distribution fits could be improved with the deeply inelastic scattering measurements at the LHeC by including pseudodata into a global analysis. In addition, we discuss briefly other topics that would help to better understand some aspects of heavy-ion collisions, namely small-$x$ physics and hadron production with a nuclear target.Comment: Talk presented at DIS2015 conference, April 27 - May 1, 2015, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. v2: Updated reference lis