33 research outputs found
Higher-Order Corrections to Timelike Jets
We present a simple formalism for the evolution of timelike jets in which
tree-level matrix element corrections can be systematically incorporated, up to
arbitrary parton multiplicities and over all of phase space, in a way that
exponentiates the matching corrections. The scheme is cast as a shower Markov
chain which generates one single unweighted event sample, that can be passed to
standard hadronization models. Remaining perturbative uncertainties are
estimated by providing several alternative weight sets for the same events, at
a relatively modest additional overhead. As an explicit example, we consider Z
-> q qbar evolution with unpolarized, massless quarks and include several
formally subleading improvements as well as matching to tree-level matrix
elements through alpha_s^4. The resulting algorithm is implemented in the
publicly available VINCIA plugin to the PYTHIA 8 event generator.Comment: 72 pages, 78 figure
Forward-Backward Correlations and Event Shapes as probes of Minimum-Bias Event Properties
Measurements of inclusive observables, such as particle multiplicities and
momentum spectra, have already delivered important information on
soft-inclusive ("minimum-bias") physics at the Large Hadron Collider. In order
to gain a more complete understanding, however, it is necessary to include also
observables that probe the structure of the studied events. We argue that
forward-backward (FB) correlations and event-shape observables may be
particulary useful first steps in this respect. We study the sensitivity of
several different types of FB correlations and two event shape variables -
transverse thrust and transverse thrust minor - to various sources of
theoretical uncertainty: multiple parton interactions, parton showers, colour
(re)connections, and hadronization. The power of each observable to furnish
constraints on Monte Carlo models is illustrated by including comparisons
between several recent, and qualitatively different, PYTHIA 6 tunes, for pp
collisions at sqrt(s) = 900 GeV.Comment: 13 page
Energy Scaling of Minimum-Bias Tunes
We propose that the flexibility offered by modern event-generator tuning
tools allows for more than just obtaining "best fits" to a collection of data.
In particular, we argue that the universality of the underlying physics model
can be tested by performing several, mutually independent, optimizations of the
generator parameters in different physical regions. For regions in which these
optimizations return similar and self-consistent parameter values, the model
can be considered universal. Deviations from this behavior can be associated
with a breakdown of the modeling, with the nature of the deviations giving
clues as to the nature of the breakdown. We apply this procedure to study the
energy scaling of a class of minimum-bias models based on multiple parton
interactions (MPI) and pT-ordered showers, implemented in the Pythia 6.4
generator. We find that a parameter controlling the strength of color
reconnections in the final state is the most important source of
non-universality in this model.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, 4 table
Baryon Number Violation and String Topologies
In supersymmetric scenarios with broken R-parity, baryon number violating
sparticle decays become possible. In order to search for such decays, a good
understanding of expected event properties is essential. We here develop a
complete framework that allows detailed studies. Special attention is given to
the hadronization phase, wherein the baryon number violating vertex is
associated with the appearance of a junction in the colour confinement field.
This allows us to tell where to look for the extra (anti)baryon directly
associated with the baryon number violating decay.Comment: 1+55 pages, 30 figure
Supersymmetry and Generic BSM Models in PYTHIA 8
We describe the implementation of supersymmetric models in PYTHIA 8,
including production and decay of superparticles and allowing for violation of
flavour, CP, and R-parity. We also present a framework for importing generic
new-physics matrix elements into PYTHIA 8, in a way suitable for use with
automated tools. We emphasize that this possibility should not be viewed as the
only way to implement new-physics models in PYTHIA 8, but merely as an
additional possibility on top of the already existing ones. Finally we address
parton showers in exotic colour topologies, in particular ones involving colour
epsilon tensors and colour sextets.Comment: 20 page
Composition of the Pseudoscalar Eta and Eta' Mesons
The composition of the eta and eta' mesons has long been a source of
discussion and is of current interest with new experimental results appearing.
We investigate what can be learnt from a number of different processes: V to P
gamma and P to V gamma (V and P are light vector and pseudoscalar mesons
respectively), P to gamma gamma, J/psi,psi' to P gamma, J/psi,psi' to P V, and
chi_{c0,2} to PP. These constrain the eta-eta' mixing angle to a consistent
value, phi approx 42 degrees; we find that the c cbar components are lesssim 5%
in amplitude. We also find that, while the data hint at a small gluonic
component in the eta', the conclusions depend sensitively on unknown form
factors associated with exclusive dynamics. In addition, we predict BR(psi' to
eta' gamma) approx 1 10^{-5} and BR(chi_{c0} to eta eta') approx 2 10^{-5} - 1
10^{-4}. We provide a method to test the mixing using chi_{c2} to eta eta, eta'
eta', and eta eta' modes and make some general observations on chi_{c0,2}
decays. We also survey the semileptonic and hadronic decays of bottom and
charmed mesons and find some modes where the mixing angle can be extracted
cleanly with the current experimental data, some where more data will allow
this, and some where a more detailed knowledge of the different amplitudes is
required.Comment: 34 pages, 11 figures. v2: version published in JHEP, added
substantial section on B and D meson electroweak decays, added comment on
psi' to eta(')/eta_c gamma, Figs 5 and 6 split and made clearer, added
references, other minor revisions which don't change conclusion
Light neutralino dark matter in the MSSM and its implication for LHC searches for staus
It was shown in a previous study that a lightest neutralino with mass below
30 GeV was severely constrained in the minimal supersymmetric standard model
(MSSM), unless it annihilates via a light stau and thus yields the observed
dark matter abundance. In such a scenario, while the stau is the
next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP), the charginos and the other
neutralinos as well as sleptons of the first two families are also likely to be
not too far above the mass bounds laid down by the Large Electron Positron
(LEP) collider. As the branching ratios of decays of the charginos and the
next-to-lightest neutralino into staus are rather large, one expects
significant rates of tau-rich final states in such a case. With this in view,
we investigate the same-sign ditau and tri-tau signals of this scenario at the
Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for two MSSM benchmark points corresponding to
light neutralino dark matter. The associated signal rates for these channels
are computed, for the centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV. We find that both
channels lead to appreciable rates if the squarks and the gluino are not too
far above a TeV, thus allowing to probe scenarios with light neutralinos in the
14 TeV LHC run with 10-100 fb^{-1}.Comment: 19p, 4 Fig
Evaluation of the Strong Coupling Constant alpha_s Using the ATLAS Inclusive Jet Cross-Section Data
We perform a determination of the strong coupling constant using the latest
ATLAS inclusive jet cross section data, from proton-proton collisions at
sqrt{s}=7 TeV, and their full information on the bin-to-bin correlations.
Several procedures for combining the statistical information from the different
data inputs are studied and compared. The theoretical prediction is obtained
using NLO QCD, and it also includes non-perturbative corrections. Our
determination uses inputs with transverse momenta between 45 and 600 GeV, the
running of the strong coupling being also tested in this range. Good agreement
is observed when comparing our result with the world average at the Z-boson
scale, as well as with the most recent results from the Tevatron.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures. Extended discussion of non-perturbative
corrections. Matches version published in EPJ
Colour reconnections in Herwig++
We describe the implementation details of the colour reconnection model in
the event generator Herwig++. We study the impact on final-state observables in
detail and confirm the model idea from colour preconfinement on the basis of
studies within the cluster hadronization model. Moreover, we show that the
description of minimum bias and underlying event data at the LHC is improved
with this model and present results of a tune to available data.Comment: 19 pages, 21 figures, 2 tables. Matches with published versio
Multiple Interactions and the Structure of Beam Remnants
Recent experimental data have established some of the basic features of
multiple interactions in hadron-hadron collisions. The emphasis is therefore
now shifting, to one of exploring more detailed aspects. Starting from a brief
review of the current situation, a next-generation model is developed, wherein
a detailed account is given of correlated flavour, colour, longitudinal and
transverse momentum distributions, encompassing both the partons initiating
perturbative interactions and the partons left in the beam remnants. Some of
the main features are illustrated for the Tevatron and the LHC.Comment: 69pp, 33 figure