Initial Partons Research Articles

Prompt polarized J/ψ production at NICA within NRQCD and generalized parton model

In our work we consider prompt J/ψ and ψ′ production within the approaches of nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics and generalized parton model. We use various experimental data (√s = 200 GeV and √s =19.4 GeV) of charmonium production to fit octet nonperturbative matrix elements and averaged values of initial partons’ transverse momenta. Further, we make evaluation with the extracted parameters and predict J/ψ production cross section and polarization of J/ψ and ψ′ at NICA collider energy √s = 27 GeV.

Unweighting multijet event generation using factorisation-aware neural networks

In this article we combine a recently proposed method for factorisation-aware matrix element surrogates with an unbiased unweighting algorithm. We show that employing a sophisticated neural network emulation of QCD multijet matrix elements based on dipole factorisation can lead to a drastic acceleration of unweighted event generation. We train neural networks for a selection of partonic channels contributing at the tree-level to Z+4,5Z+4,5 jets and t\bar{t}+3,4tt‾+3,4 jets production at the LHC which necessitates a generalisation of the dipole emulation model to include initial state partons as well as massive final state quarks. We also present first steps towards the emulation of colour-sampled amplitudes. We incorporate these emulations as fast and accurate surrogates in a two-stage rejection sampling algorithm within the SHERPA Monte Carlo that yields unbiased unweighted events suitable for phenomenological analyses and post-processing in experimental workflows, e.g. as input to a time-consuming detector simulation. For the computational cost of unweighted events we achieve a reduction by factors between 16 and 350 for the considered channels.

Quantum SMEFT tomography: Top quark pair production at the LHC

Quantum information observables, such as entanglement measures, provide a powerful way to characterize the properties of quantum states. We propose to use them to probe the structure of fundamental interactions and to search for new physics at high energy. Inspired by recent proposals to measure entanglement of top quark pairs produced at the LHC, we examine how higher-dimensional operators in the framework of the SMEFT modify the Standard Model expectations. We explore two regions of interest in the phase space where the Standard Model produces maximally entangled states: at threshold and in the high-energy limit. We unveil a non-trivial pattern of effects, which depend on the initial state partons, $q\bar q$ or $gg$, on whether only linear or up to quadratic SMEFT contributions are included, and on the phase space region. In general, we find that higher-dimensional effects lower the entanglement predicted in the Standard Model.

Multivariable evolution in parton showers with initial state partons

One can use more than one scale variable to define the family of surfaces in the space of parton splitting parameters that define the evolution of a parton shower. In an earlier paper, we developed this idea for electron-positron annihilation. Here, we use multiple scale variables for a parton shower with initial state partons. Then we need a more sophisticated analysis because the evolution of parton distribution functions must be coordinated with the parton shower evolution. We make the needed connections more precise than in our earlier work, even for the case of just one scale variable. Then we develop an example with three scale variables, which leads to advantages compared to the usual shower formulation with only one scale variable. We provide results for Drell-Yan muon pair production.

Collective properties of hadrons in comparison of models prediction in pp collisions at 7 TeV

Analysis of the spectra of unidentified charged particles obtained by the CMS experiment in proton–proton collisions is reported in comparison with the simulation results of PYTHIA8.24 and EPOS-LHC models. The spectra obtained by the experiment were normalized to all non-single-diffractive (NSD) events using corrections for trigger and selection efficiency, acceptance, and branching ratios. The transverse-momentum (pT) spectra of the charged particles are measured in twelve equal bins of pseudorapidity (η) from 0.0 to 2.4 for pT from 0.1 to 2 GeV/c. The PYTHIA model reproduces the experimental data well in all bins of η especially in the region of high pT while the EPOS model predicts well in the intermediate pT regions. The intermediate regions where the EPOS model predicts well, broadens with increasing η.We used the Blast-wave model with Boltzmann–Gibbs statistics to study collective properties of the hadronic matter and for better comparison of the models’ prediction with the experimental data while determining the values of kinetic freeze-out temperature (T0) and transverse flow velocity (βT) for data and models. The values of T0 decrease with increasing η for data as well as for both the models. The transverse flow velocity has no clear trend with increasing η but a run through shows an increasing trend in the case of the data and the PYTHIA model but a decreasing trend in the case of the EPOS model. The multiplicity parameter N0 increases with increasing η and its values obtained by the fit function for the PYTHIA are closer to the ones obtained for data than the EPOS. It is concluded that none of the models completely describes the data in all bins of η over the entire pT range but the PYTHIA has better prediction than the EPOS model because the former has implied flow-like effects and formation of color string resulting from multiple hard sub-collisions between final and initial partons (color reconnection) from independent hard scatterings due to which the model predicts the data well.

CASCADE3 A Monte Carlo event generator based on TMDs

The Cascade3 Monte Carlo event generator based on Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) parton densities is described. Hard processes which are generated in collinear factorization with LO multileg or NLO parton level generators are extended by adding transverse momenta to the initial partons according to TMD densities and applying dedicated TMD parton showers and hadronization. Processes with off-shell kinematics within k_{{t}}-factorization, either internally implemented or from external packages via LHE files, can be processed for parton showering and hadronization. The initial state parton shower is tied to the TMD parton distribution, with all parameters fixed by the TMD distribution.

$$\Omega _{ccc}$$ baryon production from gluon in vector diquark fragmentation

Hadronization is known as the nonperturbative part of hadron production process which is described by the process-independent fragmentation functions. These functions refer to the probability densities for the initial partons to fragment into observed hadrons carrying away the momentum fractions of parent partons. In this work, using the quark-diquark approximative model we compute the fragmentation density of gluon into polarized triply heavy baryon $$\Omega _{ccc}$$ in a vector cc-diquark fragmentation. To impose the polarization effect of baryon into the corresponding fragmentation function we shall apply three different scenarios and compare all results.

Bound state effects in transverse momentum parton distributions

We use a non-gaussian intrinsic transverse momentum distribution, associated with the wavefunction of the partonic ground state inside the proton, to calculate the production of π0 with intermediate transverse momentum values in p − p collisions at high energies. It is shown that a perfect description of the experimental data for different experiments is achieved using an almost constant value for the mean transverse momentum of the initial partons, compatible with Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation (⟨kT ⟩ ≈ 0.3 GeV ). Our analysis suggests the presence of a non-vanishing, non-perturbative contribution from partonic bound states to the pp → πo(γ) + X and pp → p + X cross section.

Angular decorrelations in γ + 2jets events at high energies in the parton Reggeization approach

We study associated production of prompt photon and two jets at high energies in the framework of the parton Reggeization approach (PRA), which is based on multi-Regge factorization of hard processes and Lipatov’s effective theory of Reggeized gluons and quarks. In this approach, initial-state off-shell effects and transverse momenta of initial partons are included in a gauge-invariant way. We compute azimuthal angle difference spectra in [Formula: see text] + 2[Formula: see text]jets events and compare results with data from D0 Collaboration at the Tevatron. It was found that agreement between predictions and data can be achieved only under assumption on strong violation in transverse momentum ordering during initial-state quantum chromodynamics (QCD) evolution which corresponds multi-Regge kinematical regime instead of DGLAP picture.

Z boson production in proton-lead collisions at the LHC accounting for transverse momenta of initial partons

We perform a calculation of inclusive $Z$ boson production in proton-lead collisions at the LHC taking into account the transverse momenta of the initial partons. We use the framework of $k_T$-factorization combining transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs) with off-shell matrix elements. In order to do it we need to construct appropriate TMDs for lead nuclei which is done using the parton branching method. Our computations are compared with data from CMS taken at $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV. The results are in good agreement with the measurements especially the transverse momentum distribution of the $Z$ boson.

Consistent treatment of charm production in higher-orders at tree-level within kT -factorization approach

We discuss production of $c \bar c$-pairs within $k_T$-factorization approach (off-shell initial partons) with unintegrated parton distribution functions (uPDFs). We present a consistent prescription which merges the standard leading-order (LO) $k_T$-factorization calculations for this process with tree-level next-to-leading order (NLO) and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) matrix elements. For the first time we include in this framework 2 $\to$ 3 and 2 $\to$ 4 processes with extra partonic emissions for single particle distributions as well as for correlation observables. The use of the KMR uPDF leads to a good description of the existing charm ($D$-meson) data already at the leading-order. On the other hand, a new Parton-Branching (PB) uPDF strongly underestimates the same experimental data. A direct inclusion of the higher-orders at tree-level leads to an overestimation of the data, especially for the KMR uPDF. This suggests a significant double-counting. We propose a simple method how to avoid the double-counting. Our procedure leads to a much better description of the experimental data when including the higher-order contributions. Then with the KMR uPDF we get similar results (both for single particle and correlation observables) as for the standard calculations of the 2 $\to$ 2 processes. For the PB uPDF inclusion of the higher-orders considerably improves description of the experimental data. We conclude that the LO calculation with the KMR uPDF effectively includes the higher-orders which is not the case for the PB uPDF.

Calculation of the Z+ jet cross section including transverse momenta of initial partons

We perform calculations of Z+jet cross-section taking into account the transverse momenta of the initial partons. Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) parton densities obtained with the Parton Branching method are used and higher order corrections are included via TMD parton showers in the initial state. The predictions are compared to measurements of forward Z+jet production of the LHCb collaboration at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV. We show that the results obtained in kT-factorization are in good agreement with results obtained from a NLO calculation matched with traditional parton showers. We also demonstrate that in the forward rapidity region, kT-factorization and hybrid factorization predictions agree with each other.

Revisiting heavy quark radiative energy loss in nuclei within the high-twist approach

We revisit the calculation of multiple parton scattering of a heavy quark in nuclei within the framework of recently improved high-twist factorization formalism, in which gauge invariance is ensured by a delicate setup of the initial partons' transverse momenta. We derive a new result for medium modified heavy quark fragmentation functions in deeply inelastic scattering. It is consistent with the previous calculation of light quark energy loss in the massless limit, but leads to a new correction term in the heavy quark case, which vanishes in the soft gluon radiation limit. We show numerically the significance of the new correction term in the calculation of heavy quark energy loss as compared to previous studies and with soft gluon radiation approximation.

Calculations with off-shell matrix elements, TMD parton densities and TMD parton showers

A new calculation using off-shell matrix elements with TMD parton densities supplemented with a newly developed initial state TMD parton shower is described. The calculation is based on the KaTie package for an automated calculation of the partonic process in high-energy factorization, making use of TMD parton densities implemented in TMDlib. The partonic events are stored in an LHE file, similar to the conventional LHE files, but now containing the transverse momenta of the initial partons. The LHE files are read in by the Cascade package for the full TMD parton shower, final state shower and hadronization from Pythia where events in HEPMC format are produced. We have determined a full set of TMD parton densities and developed an initial state TMD parton shower, including all flavors following the TMD distribution. As an example of application we have calculated the azimuthal de-correlation of high p_t dijets as measured at the LHC and found very good agreement with the measurement when including initial state TMD parton showers together with conventional final state parton showers and hadronization.

New approach to initializing hydrodynamic fields and mini-jet propagation in quark-gluon fluids

We propose a new approach to initialize the hydrodynamic fields such as energy density distributions and four flow velocity fields in hydrodynamic modeling of high-energy nuclear collisions at the collider energies. Instead of matching the energy-momentum tensor or putting the initial conditions of quark-gluon fluids at a fixed initial time, we utilize a framework of relativistic hydrodynamic equations with source terms to describe the initial stage. Putting the energy and momentum loss rate of the initial partons into the source terms, we obtain hydrodynamic initial conditions dynamically. The resultant initial profile of the quark-gluon fluid looks highly bumpy as seen in the conventional event-by-event initial conditions. In addition, initial random flow velocity fields also are generated as a consequence of momentum deposition from the initial partons. We regard the partons that survive after the dynamical initialization process as the mini-jets and find sizable effects of both mini-jet propagation in the quark-gluon fluids and initial random transverse flow on the final momentum spectra and anisotropic flow observables. We perform event-by-event $(3+1)$-dimensional ideal hydrodynamic simulations with this new framework that enables us to describe the hydrodynamic bulk collectivity, parton energy loss, and interplay among them in a unified manner.

Dissecting soft radiation with factorization.

An essential part of high-energy hadronic collisions is the soft hadronic activity that underlies the primary hard interaction. It includes soft radiation from the primary hard partons, secondary multiple parton interactions (MPI), and factorization-violating effects. The invariant mass spectrum of the leading jet in Z+jet and H+jet events is directly sensitive to these effects, and we use a QCD factorization theorem to predict its dependence on the jet radius R, jet p_{T}, jet rapidity, and partonic process for both the perturbative and nonperturbative components of primary soft radiation. We prove that the nonperturbative contributions involve only odd powers of R, and the linear R term is universal for quark and gluon jets. The hadronization model in Pythia8 agrees well with these properties. The perturbative soft initial state radiation (ISR) has a contribution that depends on the jet area in the same way as the underlying event, but this degeneracy is broken by dependence on the jet p_{T}. The size of this soft ISR contribution is proportional to the color state of the initial partons, yielding the same positive contribution for gg→Hg and gq→Zq, but a negative interference contribution for qq[over ¯]→Zg. Hence, measuring these dependencies allows one to separate hadronization, soft ISR, and MPI contributions in the data.

Inclusive jet production in p+Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements of reconstructed jets in high-energy proton–lead collisions over a wide rapidity and transverse momentum range can serve as a detailed probe of the partonic structure of nuclei over a large ( x , Q 2 ) range. Inclusive jet production may be sensitive to the nuclear modification of parton distribution functions and such effects as the energy loss of the initial state partons entering into the hard scattering. Furthermore, any modification of jet production in p + Pb collisions can provide context for the strong suppression observed in central 2.76 TeV Pb + Pb collisions which is attributed to the formation of a hot nuclear medium. We present a measurement of inclusive jet production in p + Pb collisions with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. While the jet rate in minimum bias p + Pb events is seen to be only slightly enhanced above the geometric expectation, the centrality-dependent yields are observed to be modified, with systematically stronger effects at higher p T and at more forward (proton-going) rapidities.

Parton distribution functions in the context of parton showers

When the initial state evolution of a parton shower is organized according to the standard "backward evolution'' prescription, ratios of parton distribution functions appear in the splitting probabilities. The shower thus organized evolves from a hard scale to a soft cutoff scale. At the end of the shower, one expects that only the parton distributions at the soft scale should affect the results. The other effects of the parton distributions should have cancelled. This means that the kernels for parton evolution should be related to the shower splitting functions. If the initial state partons can have non-zero masses, this requires that the evolution kernels cannot be the usual MSbar kernels. We work out what the parton evolution kernels should be to match the shower evolution contained in the parton shower event generator Deductor, in which the b and c quarks have non-zero masses.

Color reconnection and flow-like patterns in pp collisions

Data collected at the LHC are confronted with the possible existence of flow in pp collisions. Here we present a study inside the framework of PYTHIA 8, showing that it contains implicit flow-like effects coming from multiple hard subcollisions and color string formation between initial and final partons from independent hard scatterings: color reconnection. We present studies with strange hadron observables in pp collisions at 7 TeV. Studies have been done both for minimum bias and multiplicity intervals in events with and without color reconnection to isolate the flow-like effect.

Azimuthal correlation among jets produced in association with a bottom or top quark pair at the LHC

Angular correlation of jets produced in association with a massive scalar, vector or tensor boson is crucial in the determination of their spin and CP properties. We study jet angular correlations in events with a high mass bottom quark pair or a top quark pair and two jets at the LHC, whose cross-section is dominated by the virtual gluon fusion sub-processes when appropriate kinematic selection cuts (vector-boson fusion cuts) are applied. We evaluate helicity amplitudes for sub-processes initiated by qq, qg and gg collisions in the limit where the intermediate gluons are collinear to the initial partons. We first obtain a general expression for the azimuthal angle correlations among the dijets and t t-bar or b b-bar, in terms of the gg to t t-bar or b b-bar helicity amplitudes in the real gluon approximation of the full matrix elements, and find simple analytic expressions in the two kinematic limits, the production of a heavy quark pair near the threshold, and in the relativistic limit where the invariant mass of the heavy quark pair is much larger than the quark mass. For b b-bar + 2 jets we find strong azimuthal angle correlations which are distinct from those expected for events with a CP-even or odd scalar boson which may decay into a b b-bar pair. For t t-bar + 2 jets we find that the angular correlations are similar to that of a CP-odd scalar+2 jets near the threshold M_(t t-bar) ~ 2 m_t, while in the relativistic limit they resemble the distribution for b b-bar + 2 jets. These correlations in the standard QCD processes will help establish the experimental technique to measure the spin and CP properties of new particles produced via gluon fusion at the LHC.