Improved extrapolation methods of data-driven background estimations in high energy physics

Abstract

Data-driven methods of background estimations are often used to obtain more reliable descriptions of backgrounds. In hadron collider experiments, data-driven techniques are used to estimate backgrounds due to multi-jet events, which are difficult to model accurately. In this article, we propose an improvement on one of the most widely used data-driven methods in the hadron collision environment, the “ABCD” method of extrapolation. We describe the mathematical background behind the data-driven methods and extend the idea to propose improved general methods.