Showing 1–50 of 87 results for author: Hobbs, T

Hadron Structure from the Hierarchy of Quantum Correlations in Deep-Inelastic Scattering

Authors: Henry Bloss, TJ Hobbs, Navin McGinnis

Abstract: We show that the hierarchy of quantum correlations produced in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) can serve as a novel probe of the proton's nonperturbative structure. Specifically, we show that quantum entanglement, discord, steering, and magic provide nontrivial and complementary sensitivities to the nucleon's parton distribution functions (PDFs), particularly those encoding the transverse-spin pol… ▽ More We show that the hierarchy of quantum correlations produced in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) can serve as a novel probe of the proton's nonperturbative structure. Specifically, we show that quantum entanglement, discord, steering, and magic provide nontrivial and complementary sensitivities to the nucleon's parton distribution functions (PDFs), particularly those encoding the transverse-spin polarization of the interacting quark. This connection leads to a unique probe of the proton's parton-level tensor charges with implications for beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics searches. We propose how quantum information measures can be utilized for precision studies of hadron structure at DIS experiments like the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). △ Less

Submitted 30 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures + short appendix

An AI-ready, Polarized Electron-Positron Collision Dataset

Authors: Chi Lung Cheng, Simon Corrodi, T. J. Hobbs, Alaettin Serhan Mete, Benjamin Nachman

Abstract: We present a modernized, AI-ready release of reconstructed data from the SLD experiment at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC). The dataset comprises approximately 660{,}000 reconstructed events collected at $\sqrt{s}\approx 91.2$~GeV with a highly polarized electron beam from 1996--1998. The data have been translated from legacy formats into modern, widely-used file formats with the help of AI agents.… ▽ More We present a modernized, AI-ready release of reconstructed data from the SLD experiment at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC). The dataset comprises approximately 660{,}000 reconstructed events collected at $\sqrt{s}\approx 91.2$~GeV with a highly polarized electron beam from 1996--1998. The data have been translated from legacy formats into modern, widely-used file formats with the help of AI agents. The release also includes a corpus of newly digitized SLD internal documentation. We describe the contents of both components and provide physics validation demonstrations along with illustrations of their utility for physics and machine learning research in particle physics. △ Less

Submitted 29 May, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Dataset available at https://zenodo.org/records/19925960. Code available at https://github.com/HEP-KE/jazelle_reader and https://github.com/HEP-KE/sld-resurrect

Precision QCD with the Electron-Ion Collider

Authors: C. Alexandrou, M. Arratia, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Avkhadiev, P. V. Balachandran, V. Bertone, I. Borsa, M. Cerutti, X. Chu, W. Cosyn, D. de Florian, A. Dumitru, M. Engelhardt, R. Fatemi, S. Forte, Y. Fu, L. Gamberg, H. Gao, T. Gehrmann, A. Gehrmann-De Ridder, Y. Go, Y. Guo, Y. Hatta, J. Haug, T. J. Hobbs , et al. (44 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This document summarizes the discussions at the program "Precision QCD with the Electron Ion Collider", held from May to June 2025 at the Institute for Nuclear Theory (INT) at the University of Washington. The program was co-sponsored by the INT and by the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science (CFNS, Stony Brook University). Over its five-week duration it brought together about 70 theorists, exp… ▽ More This document summarizes the discussions at the program "Precision QCD with the Electron Ion Collider", held from May to June 2025 at the Institute for Nuclear Theory (INT) at the University of Washington. The program was co-sponsored by the INT and by the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science (CFNS, Stony Brook University). Over its five-week duration it brought together about 70 theorists, experimentalists and computer scientists all interested in the physics program at the future Electron Ion Collider in preparation at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Key topics at the program were: higher-order perturbative-QCD calculations and techniques; nuclear structure and tomography; comparisons of phenomenological and lattice determinations of parton distribution functions; identification of signature observables for saturated gluons; assessment of the importance of AI techniques for EIC studies and detector development. △ Less

Submitted 6 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: Summary of the 2025 joint CFNS-INT program: Precision QCD with the Electron-Ion Collider. 165 pages, 35 figures

Report number: INT-PUB-26-011

CT25: Progress toward next-generation PDFs for precision phenomenology at the LHC

Authors: A. Ablat, A. Courtoy, S. Dulat, Y. Fu, M. Guzzi, T. J. Hobbs, J. Huston, K. Mohan, P. Nadolsky, M. Ponce-Chavez, D. Stump, K. Xie, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: We summarize recent progress toward the next generation of CTEQ-TEA parton distribution functions, CT25, based on a global NNLO analysis that incorporates a significant sample of newly included LHC data. We present a baseline fit within the forthcoming full CT25 fit, which includes new Drell-Yan, top-pair, and inclusive-jet data at 8 and 13 TeV, and exhibits non-trivial pulls on the high-$x$ gluon… ▽ More We summarize recent progress toward the next generation of CTEQ-TEA parton distribution functions, CT25, based on a global NNLO analysis that incorporates a significant sample of newly included LHC data. We present a baseline fit within the forthcoming full CT25 fit, which includes new Drell-Yan, top-pair, and inclusive-jet data at 8 and 13 TeV, and exhibits non-trivial pulls on the high-$x$ gluon and the flavor structure of the quark sea. In the context of progress toward CT25, we also summarize several recent and ongoing studies of the interplay between phenomenological PDFs and lattice-QCD calculations, simultaneous extractions of $α_s(M_Z)$ within the CT framework, and an expanded program of uncertainty quantification that treats parametrization dependence as an explicit source of epistemic uncertainty, among other issues. We also briefly highlight CT efforts to understand the effects of partial implementations of N$^3$LO corrections into PDF fits, which include benchmark calculations for Higgs and vector-boson processes. We comment on the implications of recent improvements to the CT analysis for precision phenomenology at the LHC and future facilities. △ Less

Submitted 28 December, 2025; v1 submitted 22 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 2 figures; talk presented at the XXXII International Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects (DIS 2025), Cape Town, South Africa, 24-28 March 2025; minor textual clarifications in v2

Report number: ANL-201496, MSUHEP-25-026

Reusable theory representations for colliders: a demonstrator SMEFT foundation model

Authors: Supratim Das Bakshi, T. J. Hobbs, Brandon Kriesten

Abstract: We develop a demonstrator foundation model for collider-scale explorations of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), constructed from contrastive representations of theoretically simulated neutral-current Drell-Yan cross sections. Using a controlled sampling of the Warsaw-basis dimension-6 Wilson-coefficient space at $O(Λ^{-2})$, we generate a corpus of high-resolution differential dis… ▽ More We develop a demonstrator foundation model for collider-scale explorations of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), constructed from contrastive representations of theoretically simulated neutral-current Drell-Yan cross sections. Using a controlled sampling of the Warsaw-basis dimension-6 Wilson-coefficient space at $O(Λ^{-2})$, we generate a corpus of high-resolution differential distributions in $m_{\ell\ell}$ and $p_{T}$, augmented by physics-motivated Monte Carlo replicas with correlated uncertainties. A minimally parameterized encoder network is trained with a supervised contrastive loss to produce a low-dimensional latent manifold on which SMEFT-induced deformations of the Drell-Yan spectrum acquire a well-defined geometric structure. We analyze the resulting embedding and demonstrate that (i) latent directions correlate with characteristic SMEFT shape distortions, including energy-growing four-fermion contributions and electroweak vertex corrections; (ii) clusters in the embedding correspond to families of Wilson-coefficient configurations with similar phenomenological impact; and (iii) the learned representation supports downstream tasks such as classification with uncertainty quantification, anomaly detection, and nearest-neighbor retrieval. While restricted to leading-order SMEFT and simplified uncertainty modeling, this study provides the first step toward a reusable, physics-aligned foundational representation for the theory of New-Physics searches at high-energy colliders. We outline extensions towards a complete global analyses, including multi-process training corpora, higher-order corrections, and multi-objective pretraining. △ Less

Submitted 17 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 39 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables

Report number: ANL-201447

Quantum Computing Hadron Fragmentation Functions in Light-Front Chromodynamics

Authors: Juan José Gálvez-Viruet, Felipe J. Llanes-Estrada, Nicolás Martínez de Arenaza, María Gómez-Rocha, Timothy J. Hobbs

Abstract: We deploy Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in Light-front Quantization (and Gauge), discretized and truncated in both Fock -- and momentum -- spaces with a particle-register encoding suited for quantum simulation; we show for the first time how to calculate fragmentation functions, a problem heretofore untractable in general from \emph{ab-initio} approaches. We provide a classical-simulator based proo… ▽ More We deploy Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in Light-front Quantization (and Gauge), discretized and truncated in both Fock -- and momentum -- spaces with a particle-register encoding suited for quantum simulation; we show for the first time how to calculate fragmentation functions, a problem heretofore untractable in general from \emph{ab-initio} approaches. We provide a classical-simulator based proof-of-concept by computing the charm-to-charmonium fragmentation, $c\to J/ψ$, in a simplified setup, an interesting case where we can (reasonably) compare with the known 1993 perturbative evaluation within Nonrelativistic QCD. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2026; v1 submitted 21 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, 9 pages and 6 figures supplementary material. To be published in Physical Review D

Report number: IPARCOS-UCM-25-045, ANL-200237

ArgoLOOM: agentic AI for fundamental physics from quarks to cosmos

Authors: S. D. Bakshi, P. Barry, C. Bissolotti, I. Cloet, S. Corrodi, Z. Djurcic, S. Habib, K. Heitmann, T. J. Hobbs, W. Hopkins, S. Joosten, B. Kriesten, N. Ramachandra, A. Wells, M. Zurek

Abstract: Progress in modern physics has been supported by a steadily expanding corpus of numerical analyses and computational frameworks, which in turn form the basis for precision calculations and baseline predictions in experimental programs. These tools play a central role in navigating a complex landscape of theoretical models and current and potential observables to identify and understand fundamental… ▽ More Progress in modern physics has been supported by a steadily expanding corpus of numerical analyses and computational frameworks, which in turn form the basis for precision calculations and baseline predictions in experimental programs. These tools play a central role in navigating a complex landscape of theoretical models and current and potential observables to identify and understand fundamental interactions in physics. In addition, efforts to search for new fundamental interactions increasingly have a cross-disciplinary nature, such that understanding and leveraging interoperabilities among computational tools may be a significant enhancement. This work presents a new agentic AI framework, which we call ArgoLOOM, designed to bridge methodologies and computational analyses across cosmology, collider physics, and nuclear science. We describe the system contours, key internal aspects, and outline its potential for unifying scientific discovery pipelines. In the process, we demonstrate the use of ArgoLOOM on two small-scale problems to illustrate its conceptual foundations and potential for extensibility into a steadily growing agentic framework for fundamental physics. △ Less

Submitted 2 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 3 figures

Report number: ANL-199516

QED-enhanced PDF implications for the Higgs sector

Authors: Amanda M. Cooper-Sarkar, Thomas Cridge, T. J. Hobbs, Joey Huston, Pavel Nadolsky, Maximiliano Ponce-Chavez, Keping Xie

Abstract: In this work, we examine the implications of electroweak corrections beyond leading order for processes of special interest in the Higgs sector. We especially explore the role of these corrections given the introduction of an explicit parton distribution function (PDF) for the photon in the proton, an object which emerges necessarily in global PDF fits which include QED effects (i.e., QED-enhanced… ▽ More In this work, we examine the implications of electroweak corrections beyond leading order for processes of special interest in the Higgs sector. We especially explore the role of these corrections given the introduction of an explicit parton distribution function (PDF) for the photon in the proton, an object which emerges necessarily in global PDF fits which include QED effects (i.e., QED-enhanced PDFs). We concentrate on several representative cases, including total Higgs-production cross sections through gluon fusion, $gg \to H$, vector-boson fusion (VBFH), and associated production, $pp \to VH$; we also examine differential distributions, taking a representative Higgs-strahlung process, $pp \to W^+H$. We find that the recently developed LUX formalism for the photon PDF significantly stabilizes the PDF dependence of both QED-PDF and electroweak corrections in the Higgs sector, while leaving overall $\sim\!3\!-\!4\%$ cross-section-level variations, depending on the chosen QED-enhanced PDF. We illustrate this QED-enhanced PDF dependence by exploring predictions based upon recent analyses of the CTEQ-TEA, MSHT, and NNPDF analysis groups, fitted either at NNLO or approximate N3LO in QCD. △ Less

Submitted 8 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 24 pages, 10 figures, 1 appendix

Report number: ANL-198026, MSUHEP-25-017

Fantômas Unconfined: global QCD fits with Bézier parameterizations

Authors: Lucas Kotz, Aurore Courtoy, T. J. Hobbs, Pavel Nadolsky, Fredrick Olness, Maximiliano Ponce-Chavez, Varada Purohit

Abstract: Fantômas is a C++ toolkit for exploring the parametrization dependence of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and other correlator functions in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Fantômas facilitates the generation of adaptable polynomial parametrizations for PDFs, called metamorphs, to find best-fit PDF solutions and quantify the epistemic uncertainty associated with the parametrizations during their… ▽ More Fantômas is a C++ toolkit for exploring the parametrization dependence of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and other correlator functions in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Fantômas facilitates the generation of adaptable polynomial parametrizations for PDFs, called metamorphs, to find best-fit PDF solutions and quantify the epistemic uncertainty associated with the parametrizations during their fitting. The method employs Bézier curves as universal approximators for a variety of PDF shapes. Integrated into the xFitter framework for the global QCD analysis, Fantômas provides a foundation for general models of PDFs, while reducing the computational time compared to the approaches utilizing traditional polynomial parametrizations as well as providing an interpretable alternative to neural-network-based models. This paper outlines the structure and practical usage of the Fantômas toolkit, including its inputs, outputs, and implementation within xFitter. It also provides a practical example of using Fantômas for uncertainty quantification as well as the combination of PDF fits into a single ensemble. △ Less

Submitted 30 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 33 pages, technical release of the Fantômas code: https://gitlab.com/cteq-tea/public/fantomas4qcd

Decoding the proton's gluonic density with lattice QCD-informed machine learning

Authors: Brandon Kriesten, Alex NieMiera, William Good, T. J. Hobbs, Huey-Wen Lin

Abstract: We present a first machine learning-based decoding of the gluonic structure of the proton from lattice QCD using a variational autoencoder inverse mapper (VAIM). Harnessing the power of generative AI, we predict the parton distribution function (PDF) of the gluon given information on the reduced pseudo-Ioffe-time distributions (RpITDs) as calculated from an ensemble with lattice spacing… ▽ More We present a first machine learning-based decoding of the gluonic structure of the proton from lattice QCD using a variational autoencoder inverse mapper (VAIM). Harnessing the power of generative AI, we predict the parton distribution function (PDF) of the gluon given information on the reduced pseudo-Ioffe-time distributions (RpITDs) as calculated from an ensemble with lattice spacing $a\! \approx\! 0.09$ fm and a pion mass of $M_π\! \approx\! 310$ MeV. The resulting gluon PDF is consistent with phenomenological global fits within uncertainties, particularly in the intermediate-to-high-$x$ region where lattice data are most constraining. A subsequent correlation analysis confirms that the VAIM learns a meaningful latent representation, highlighting the potential of generative AI to bridge lattice QCD and phenomenological extractions within a unified analysis framework. △ Less

Submitted 23 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures

Report number: ANL-197798, MSUHEP-25-013, INT-PUB-25-020

MOSAIC: Magnonic Observations of Spin-dependent Axion-like InteraCtions

Authors: Clarence Chang, T. J. Hobbs, Dafei Jin, Yi Li, Marharyta Lisovenko, Valentine Novosad, Zain H. Saleem, Tanner Trickle, Gensheng Wang

Abstract: We introduce an array-scalable, magnon-based detector (MOSAIC) to search for the spin-dependent interactions of electron-coupled axion dark matter. These axions can excite single magnons in magnetic targets, such as the yttrium iron garnet (YIG) spheres used here, which are subsequently sensed by the detector. For MOSAIC, this sensing is implemented by coupling the magnons in the YIG spheres to ma… ▽ More We introduce an array-scalable, magnon-based detector (MOSAIC) to search for the spin-dependent interactions of electron-coupled axion dark matter. These axions can excite single magnons in magnetic targets, such as the yttrium iron garnet (YIG) spheres used here, which are subsequently sensed by the detector. For MOSAIC, this sensing is implemented by coupling the magnons in the YIG spheres to magnetic-field-resilient single-electron charge-qubits, whose state is then interrogated with a quantum non-demolition measurement. Using standard superconducting fabrication techniques, MOSAIC can integrate many YIG sphere-qubit sensors, forming a large detector array. We outline the detector design and operation, and determine its sensitivity to axion dark matter. We find that a detector built with available technology will exceed the sensitivity of previous ferromagnetic haloscopes, and provides a platform where further improvements in performance would search for electron-coupled axion dark matter in unexplored parameter space. △ Less

Submitted 22 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 8 pages, 2 figures

Quantum Information meets High-Energy Physics: Input to the update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics

Authors: Yoav Afik, Federica Fabbri, Matthew Low, Luca Marzola, Juan Antonio Aguilar-Saavedra, Mohammad Mahdi Altakach, Nedaa Alexandra Asbah, Yang Bai, Hannah Banks, Alan J. Barr, Alexander Bernal, Thomas E. Browder, Paweł Caban, J. Alberto Casas, Kun Cheng, Frédéric Déliot, Regina Demina, Antonio Di Domenico, Michał Eckstein, Marco Fabbrichesi, Benjamin Fuks, Emidio Gabrielli, Dorival Gonçalves, Radosław Grabarczyk, Michele Grossi , et al. (46 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Some of the most astonishing and prominent properties of Quantum Mechanics, such as entanglement and Bell nonlocality, have only been studied extensively in dedicated low-energy laboratory setups. The feasibility of these studies in the high-energy regime explored by particle colliders was only recently shown and has gathered the attention of the scientific community. For the range of particles an… ▽ More Some of the most astonishing and prominent properties of Quantum Mechanics, such as entanglement and Bell nonlocality, have only been studied extensively in dedicated low-energy laboratory setups. The feasibility of these studies in the high-energy regime explored by particle colliders was only recently shown and has gathered the attention of the scientific community. For the range of particles and fundamental interactions involved, particle colliders provide a novel environment where quantum information theory can be probed, with energies exceeding by about 12 orders of magnitude those employed in dedicated laboratory setups. Furthermore, collider detectors have inherent advantages in performing certain quantum information measurements, and allow for the reconstruction of the state of the system under consideration via quantum state tomography. Here, we elaborate on the potential, challenges, and goals of this innovative and rapidly evolving line of research and discuss its expected impact on both quantum information theory and high-energy physics. △ Less

Submitted 8 October, 2025; v1 submitted 31 March, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures

Journal ref: Eur.Phys.J.Plus 140 (2025) 9, 855

Quantum entropy as a harbinger of factorizability

Authors: Henry Bloss, Brandon Kriesten, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: Deeply inelastic scattering (DIS) is a powerful probe for investigating the QCD structure of hadronic matter and testing the standard model (SM). DIS can be described through QCD factorization theorems which separate contributions to the scattering interaction arising from disparate scales - e.g., with nonperturbative matrix elements associated with long distances and a perturbative hard scatterin… ▽ More Deeply inelastic scattering (DIS) is a powerful probe for investigating the QCD structure of hadronic matter and testing the standard model (SM). DIS can be described through QCD factorization theorems which separate contributions to the scattering interaction arising from disparate scales - e.g., with nonperturbative matrix elements associated with long distances and a perturbative hard scattering kernel applying to short-distance parton-level interactions. The fundamental underpinnings of factorization may be recast in the quantum-theoretic terms of entanglement, (de)coherence, and system localization in a fashion which sheds complementary light on the dynamics at work in DIS from QCD bound states. In this Letter, we propose and quantitatively test such a quantum-information theoretic approach for dissecting factorization in DIS and its domain of validity; we employ metrics associated with quantum entanglement such as a differential quantum entropy and associated KL divergences in numerical tests. We deploy these methods on an archetypal quark-spectator model of the proton, for which we monitor quantum decoherence in DIS as underlying model parameters are varied. On this basis, we demonstrate quantitatively how factorization-breaking effects may be imprinted on quantum entropies in a kinematic regime where leading-twist factorization increasingly receives large corrections from finite-$Q^2$ effects; our findings suggest potential applications of quantum simulation to QCD systems and their interactions. △ Less

Submitted 19 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Report number: ANL-195045

Anomalous electroweak physics unraveled via evidential deep learning

Authors: Brandon Kriesten, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: The growth in beyond standard model (BSM) models and parametrizations has placed strong emphasis on systematically intercomparing within the range of possible models with controlled uncertainties. In this setting, the language of uncertainty quantification (UQ) provides quantitative metrics of assessing overlaps and discrepancies between models. We leverage recent machine learning (ML) development… ▽ More The growth in beyond standard model (BSM) models and parametrizations has placed strong emphasis on systematically intercomparing within the range of possible models with controlled uncertainties. In this setting, the language of uncertainty quantification (UQ) provides quantitative metrics of assessing overlaps and discrepancies between models. We leverage recent machine learning (ML) developments in evidential deep learning (EDL) for UQ to separate data (aleatoric) and knowledge (epistemic) uncertainties in a model discrimination setting. In this study, we construct several potentially BSM-motivated scenarios for the anomalous electroweak interaction (AEWI) of neutrinos with nucleons in deep inelastic scattering ($ν$DIS). These scenarios are then quantitatively mapped, as a demonstration, alongside Monte Carlo replicas of the CT18 PDFs used to calculate the $Δχ^{2}$ statistic for a typical multi-GeV $ν$DIS experiment, CDHSW. Our framework effectively highlights areas of model agreement and provides a classification of out-of-distribution (OOD) samples. By offering the opportunity to identify unexplored regions of parameter space while understanding domains of model overlap, the approach presented in this work can help facilitate efficient BSM model exploration and exclusion for future New Physics searches. △ Less

Submitted 20 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Comments: 15 pages, 3 figures

Report number: ANL-192025

Quantum entropy and QCD factorization for low-$Q^2$ $ν$DIS

Authors: Henry Bloss, Brandon Kriesten, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: Deeply inelastic scattering (DIS) is an essential process for exploring the structure of visible matter and testing the standard model. At the same time, the theoretical interpretation of DIS measurements depends on QCD factorization theorems whose validity deteriorates at the lower values of $Q^2$ and $W^2$ typical of neutrino DIS in accelerator-based oscillation searches. For this reason, progre… ▽ More Deeply inelastic scattering (DIS) is an essential process for exploring the structure of visible matter and testing the standard model. At the same time, the theoretical interpretation of DIS measurements depends on QCD factorization theorems whose validity deteriorates at the lower values of $Q^2$ and $W^2$ typical of neutrino DIS in accelerator-based oscillation searches. For this reason, progress in understanding the origin and limits of QCD factorization is invaluable to the accuracy and precision of predictions for these upcoming neutrino experiments. In these short proceedings, we introduce a novel approach based on the quantum entropy associated with continuous distributions in QCD, using it to characterize the limits of factorization theorems relevant for the description of neutrino DIS. This work suggests an additional avenue for dissecting factorization-breaking dynamics through the quantum entropy, which could also play a role in quantum simulations of related systems. △ Less

Submitted 18 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures; Contribution to the 25th International Workshop on Neutrinos from Accelerators (NuFact 2024)

Report number: ANL-193386

The upcoming CTEQ-TEA parton distributions in a nutshell

Authors: A. Ablat, A. Courtoy, S. Dulat, M. Guzzi, T. J. Hobbs, T. -J. Hou, J. Huston, P. Nadolsky, I. Sitiwaldi, K. Xie, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: We review recent studies by the CTEQ-TEA group toward the development of a new generation of precision parton distribution functions in the nucleon for advanced studies at the high-luminosity LHC and in other experiments. Among several ongoing efforts, we examine sensitivity to the PDFs and mutual compatibility of new measurements in production of Drell-Yan pairs, top-quark pairs, and single-inclu… ▽ More We review recent studies by the CTEQ-TEA group toward the development of a new generation of precision parton distribution functions in the nucleon for advanced studies at the high-luminosity LHC and in other experiments. Among several ongoing efforts, we examine sensitivity to the PDFs and mutual compatibility of new measurements in production of Drell-Yan pairs, top-quark pairs, and single-inclusive jets by the ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb collaborations in the LHC Runs 1 and 2. △ Less

Submitted 20 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures

Report number: ANL-190717, SMU-PHY-24-04

New results in the CTEQ-TEA global analysis of parton distributions in the nucleon

Authors: A. Ablat, A. Courtoy, S. Dulat, M. Guzzi, T. J. Hobbs, T. -J. Hou, J. Huston, K. Mohan, H. -W. Lin, P. Nadolsky, I. Sitiwaldi, K. Xie, M. Yan, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: This report summarizes the latest developments in the CTEQ-TEA global analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the nucleon. The focus is on recent NNLO fits to high-precision LHC data at 8 and 13 TeV, including Drell-Yan, jet, and top-quark pair production, pursued on the way toward the release of the new generation of CTEQ-TEA general-purpose PDFs. The report also discusses advancement… ▽ More This report summarizes the latest developments in the CTEQ-TEA global analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the nucleon. The focus is on recent NNLO fits to high-precision LHC data at 8 and 13 TeV, including Drell-Yan, jet, and top-quark pair production, pursued on the way toward the release of the new generation of CTEQ-TEA general-purpose PDFs. The report also discusses advancements in statistical and numerical methods for PDF determination and uncertainty quantification, highlighting the importance of robust and replicable uncertainties for high-stakes observables. Additionally, it covers phenomenological studies related to PDF determination, such as the interplay of experimental constraints, exploration of correlations between high-$x$ nucleon sea and low-energy parity-violating measurements, fitted charm in the nucleon, the photon PDF in the neutron, and simultaneous SMEFT-PDF analyses. △ Less

Submitted 22 November, 2024; v1 submitted 7 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 59 pages, 19 figures, published version

Report number: ANL-186965, INT-PUB-24-029, MSUHEP-24-008, SMU-PHY-24-01

Explainable AI classification for parton density theory

Authors: Brandon Kriesten, Jonathan Gomprecht, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: Quantitatively connecting properties of parton distribution functions (PDFs, or parton densities) to the theoretical assumptions made within the QCD analyses which produce them has been a longstanding problem in HEP phenomenology. To confront this challenge, we introduce an ML-based explainability framework, $\texttt{XAI4PDF}$, to classify PDFs by parton flavor or underlying theoretical model usin… ▽ More Quantitatively connecting properties of parton distribution functions (PDFs, or parton densities) to the theoretical assumptions made within the QCD analyses which produce them has been a longstanding problem in HEP phenomenology. To confront this challenge, we introduce an ML-based explainability framework, $\texttt{XAI4PDF}$, to classify PDFs by parton flavor or underlying theoretical model using ResNet-like neural networks (NNs). By leveraging the differentiable nature of ResNet models, this approach deploys guided backpropagation to dissect relevant features of fitted PDFs, identifying x-dependent signatures of PDFs important to the ML model classifications. By applying our framework, we are able to sort PDFs according to the analysis which produced them while constructing quantitative, human-readable maps locating the x regions most affected by the internal theory assumptions going into each analysis. This technique expands the toolkit available to PDF analysis and adjacent particle phenomenology while pointing to promising generalizations. △ Less

Submitted 3 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: 25 pages, 6 figures, 1 table; for link to associated public code, see https://github.com/ML4HEP-Theory/XAI4PDF

Report number: ANL-189807

Confinement and Kink Entanglement Asymmetry on a Quantum Ising Chain

Authors: Brian J. J. Khor, D. M. Kürkçüoglu, T. J. Hobbs, G. N. Perdue, Israel Klich

Abstract: In this work, we explore the interplay of confinement, string breaking and entanglement asymmetry on a 1D quantum Ising chain. We consider the evolution of an initial domain wall and show that, surprisingly, while the introduction of confinement through a longitudinal field typically suppresses entanglement, it can also serve to increase it beyond a bound set for free particles. Our model can be t… ▽ More In this work, we explore the interplay of confinement, string breaking and entanglement asymmetry on a 1D quantum Ising chain. We consider the evolution of an initial domain wall and show that, surprisingly, while the introduction of confinement through a longitudinal field typically suppresses entanglement, it can also serve to increase it beyond a bound set for free particles. Our model can be tuned to conserve the number of domain walls, which gives an opportunity to explore entanglement asymmetry associated with link variables. We study two approaches to deal with the non-locality of the link variables, either directly or following a Kramers-Wannier transformation that maps bond variables (kinks) to site variables (spins). We develop a numerical procedure for computing the asymmetry using tensor network methods and use it to demonstrate the different types of entanglement and entanglement asymmetry. △ Less

Submitted 5 September, 2024; v1 submitted 13 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: Accepted for Quantum Journal

Report number: FERMILAB-PUB-23-775-ETD, ANL-186709

Journal ref: Quantum 8, 1462 (2024)

Learning PDFs through Interpretable Latent Representations in Mellin Space

Authors: Brandon Kriesten, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: Representing the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton and other hadrons through flexible, high-fidelity parametrizations has been a long-standing goal of particle physics phenomenology. This is particularly true since the chosen parametrization methodology can play an influential role in the ultimate PDF uncertainties as extracted in QCD global analyses; these, in turn, are often det… ▽ More Representing the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton and other hadrons through flexible, high-fidelity parametrizations has been a long-standing goal of particle physics phenomenology. This is particularly true since the chosen parametrization methodology can play an influential role in the ultimate PDF uncertainties as extracted in QCD global analyses; these, in turn, are often determinative of the reach of experiments at the LHC and other facilities to non-standard physics, including at large $x$, where parametrization effects can be significant. In this study, we explore a series of encoder-decoder machine-learning (ML) models with various neural-network topologies as efficient means of reconstructing PDFs from meaningful information stored in an interpretable latent space. Given recent effort to pioneer synergies between QCD analyses and lattice-gauge calculations, we formulate a latent representation based on the behavior of PDFs in Mellin space, i.e., their integrated moments, and test the ability of various models to decode PDFs from this information faithfully. We introduce a numerical package, $\texttt{PDFdecoder}$, which implements several encoder-decoder models to reconstruct PDFs with high fidelity and use this tool to explore strengths and pitfalls of neural-network approaches to PDF parametrization. We additionally dissect patterns of learned correlations between encoded Mellin moments and reconstructed PDFs which suggest opportunities for further improvements to ML-based approaches to PDF parametrizations and uncertainty quantification. △ Less

Submitted 20 June, 2024; v1 submitted 4 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 22 pages, 11 figures; updated link to public code, https://github.com/ML4HEP-Theory/PDFDecoder

Report number: ANL-186490

Strong Interaction Physics at the Luminosity Frontier with 22 GeV Electrons at Jefferson Lab

Authors: A. Accardi, P. Achenbach, D. Adhikari, A. Afanasev, C. S. Akondi, N. Akopov, M. Albaladejo, H. Albataineh, M. Albrecht, B. Almeida-Zamora, M. Amaryan, D. Androić, W. Armstrong, D. S. Armstrong, M. Arratia, J. Arrington, A. Asaturyan, A. Austregesilo, H. Avagyan, T. Averett, C. Ayerbe Gayoso, A. Bacchetta, A. B. Balantekin, N. Baltzell, L. Barion , et al. (419 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This document presents the initial scientific case for upgrading the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab (JLab) to 22 GeV. It is the result of a community effort, incorporating insights from a series of workshops conducted between March 2022 and April 2023. With a track record of over 25 years in delivering the world's most intense and precise multi-GeV electron… ▽ More This document presents the initial scientific case for upgrading the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab (JLab) to 22 GeV. It is the result of a community effort, incorporating insights from a series of workshops conducted between March 2022 and April 2023. With a track record of over 25 years in delivering the world's most intense and precise multi-GeV electron beams, CEBAF's potential for a higher energy upgrade presents a unique opportunity for an innovative nuclear physics program, which seamlessly integrates a rich historical background with a promising future. The proposed physics program encompass a diverse range of investigations centered around the nonperturbative dynamics inherent in hadron structure and the exploration of strongly interacting systems. It builds upon the exceptional capabilities of CEBAF in high-luminosity operations, the availability of existing or planned Hall equipment, and recent advancements in accelerator technology. The proposed program cover various scientific topics, including Hadron Spectroscopy, Partonic Structure and Spin, Hadronization and Transverse Momentum, Spatial Structure, Mechanical Properties, Form Factors and Emergent Hadron Mass, Hadron-Quark Transition, and Nuclear Dynamics at Extreme Conditions, as well as QCD Confinement and Fundamental Symmetries. Each topic highlights the key measurements achievable at a 22 GeV CEBAF accelerator. Furthermore, this document outlines the significant physics outcomes and unique aspects of these programs that distinguish them from other existing or planned facilities. In summary, this document provides an exciting rationale for the energy upgrade of CEBAF to 22 GeV, outlining the transformative scientific potential that lies within reach, and the remarkable opportunities it offers for advancing our understanding of hadron physics and related fundamental phenomena. △ Less

Submitted 24 August, 2023; v1 submitted 13 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: Updates to the list of authors; Preprint number changed from theory to experiment; Updates to sections 4 and 6, including additional figures

Report number: JLAB-PHY-23-3840

Quantifying the interplay of experimental constraints in analyses of parton distributions

Authors: Xiaoxian Jing, Amanda Cooper-Sarkar, Aurore Courtoy, Thomas Cridge, Francesco Giuli, Lucian Harland-Lang, T. J. Hobbs, Joey Huston, Pavel Nadolsky, Robert S. Thorne, Keping Xie, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: Parton distribution functions (PDFs) play a central role in calculations for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). To gain a deeper understanding of the emergence and interplay of constraints on the PDFs in the global QCD analyses, it is important to examine the relative significance and mutual compatibility of the experimental data sets included in the PDF fits. Toward this goal, we discuss the L2 sen… ▽ More Parton distribution functions (PDFs) play a central role in calculations for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). To gain a deeper understanding of the emergence and interplay of constraints on the PDFs in the global QCD analyses, it is important to examine the relative significance and mutual compatibility of the experimental data sets included in the PDF fits. Toward this goal, we discuss the L2 sensitivity, a convenient statistical indicator for exploring the statistical pulls of individual data sets on the best-fit PDFs and identifying tensions between competing data sets. Unlike the Lagrange Multiplier method, the L2 sensitivity can be quickly computed for a range of PDFs and momentum fractions using the published Hessian error sets. We employ the L2 sensitivity as a common metric to study the relative importance of data sets in the recent ATLAS, CTEQ-TEA, MSHT, and reduced PDF4LHC21 PDF analyses at NNLO and approximate N3LO. We illustrate how this method can aid the users of PDFs to identify data sets that are important for a PDF at a given kinematic point, to study quark flavor composition and other detailed features of the PDFs, and to compare the data pulls on the PDFs for various perturbative orders and functional forms. We also address the feasibility of computing the sensitivities using Monte Carlo error PDFs. Together with the article, we present a companion interactive website with a large collection of plotted L2 sensitivities for eight recent PDF releases. △ Less

Submitted 2 August, 2023; v1 submitted 6 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: 57 pages, 29 figures; supplementary material (4 pages); journal version with minor changes; online plotter of L2 sensitivities for ATLASpdf21, CT18, MSHT20 PDFs at https://metapdf.hepforge.org/L2/

Report number: ANL-182798, DESY-23-068, FERMILAB-PUB-23-276-T, MSUHEP-23-016, SMU-HEP-23-02, PITT-PACC-2315

The case for an EIC Theory Alliance: Theoretical Challenges of the EIC

Authors: Raktim Abir, Igor Akushevich, Tolga Altinoluk, Daniele Paolo Anderle, Fatma P. Aslan, Alessandro Bacchetta, Baha Balantekin, Joao Barata, Marco Battaglieri, Carlos A. Bertulani, Guillaume Beuf, Chiara Bissolotti, Daniël Boer, M. Boglione, Radja Boughezal, Eric Braaten, Nora Brambilla, Vladimir Braun, Duane Byer, Francesco Giovanni Celiberto, Yang-Ting Chien, Ian C. Cloët, Martha Constantinou, Wim Cosyn, Aurore Courtoy , et al. (146 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We outline the physics opportunities provided by the Electron Ion Collider (EIC). These include the study of the parton structure of the nucleon and nuclei, the onset of gluon saturation, the production of jets and heavy flavor, hadron spectroscopy and tests of fundamental symmetries. We review the present status and future challenges in EIC theory that have to be addressed in order to realize thi… ▽ More We outline the physics opportunities provided by the Electron Ion Collider (EIC). These include the study of the parton structure of the nucleon and nuclei, the onset of gluon saturation, the production of jets and heavy flavor, hadron spectroscopy and tests of fundamental symmetries. We review the present status and future challenges in EIC theory that have to be addressed in order to realize this ambitious and impactful physics program, including how to engage a diverse and inclusive workforce. In order to address these many-fold challenges, we propose a coordinated effort involving theory groups with differing expertise is needed. We discuss the scientific goals and scope of such an EIC Theory Alliance. △ Less

Submitted 23 May, 2023; originally announced May 2023.

Comments: 44 pages, ReVTeX, White Paper on EIC Theory Alliance

The Photon Content of the Neutron

Authors: Keping Xie, Bei Zhou, T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: In this work, we complete our CT18qed study with the neutron's photon parton distribution function (PDF), which is essential for the nucleus scattering phenomenology. Two methods, CT18lux and CT18qed, based on the LUXqed formalism and the DGLAP evolution, respectively, to determine the neutron's photon PDF have been presented. Various low-$Q^2$ non-perturbative variations have been carefully exami… ▽ More In this work, we complete our CT18qed study with the neutron's photon parton distribution function (PDF), which is essential for the nucleus scattering phenomenology. Two methods, CT18lux and CT18qed, based on the LUXqed formalism and the DGLAP evolution, respectively, to determine the neutron's photon PDF have been presented. Various low-$Q^2$ non-perturbative variations have been carefully examined, which are treated as additional uncertainties on top of those induced by quark and gluon PDFs. The impacts of the momentum sum rule as well as isospin symmetry violation have been explored, and turn out to be negligible. A detailed comparison with other neutron's photon PDF sets has been performed, which shows a great improvement in the precision and a reasonable uncertainty estimation in our results. Finally, two phenomenological implications are demonstrated with photon-initiated processes: neutrino-nucleus $W$-boson production, which is important for the near-future TeV--PeV neutrino observations, and the axion-like particle production at a high-energy muon beam-dump experiment. △ Less

Submitted 28 March, 2024; v1 submitted 17 May, 2023; originally announced May 2023.

Comments: 38 pages, 22 figures

Report number: ANL-182626, MSUHEP-24-004, PITT-PACC-2314

High-energy neutrino deep inelastic scattering cross sections

Authors: Keping Xie, Jun Gao, T. J. Hobbs, Daniel R. Stump, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: We present a state-of-the-art prediction for cross sections of neutrino deep inelastic scattering (DIS) from nucleon at high neutrino energies, $E_ν$, from 100 GeV to 1000 EeV ($10^{12}$ GeV). Our calculations are based on the latest CT18 NNLO parton distribution functions (PDFs) and their associated uncertainties. In order to make predictions for the highest energies, we extrapolate the PDFs to s… ▽ More We present a state-of-the-art prediction for cross sections of neutrino deep inelastic scattering (DIS) from nucleon at high neutrino energies, $E_ν$, from 100 GeV to 1000 EeV ($10^{12}$ GeV). Our calculations are based on the latest CT18 NNLO parton distribution functions (PDFs) and their associated uncertainties. In order to make predictions for the highest energies, we extrapolate the PDFs to small $x$ according to several procedures and assumptions, thus affecting the uncertainties at ultra-high $E_ν$; we quantify the uncertainties corresponding to these choices. Similarly, we quantify the uncertainties introduced by the nuclear corrections which are required to evaluate neutrino-nuclear cross sections for neutrino telescopes. These results can be applied to currently-running astrophysical neutrino observatories, such as IceCube and KM3NeT, as well as various future experiments which have been proposed. △ Less

Submitted 6 June, 2024; v1 submitted 23 March, 2023; originally announced March 2023.

Comments: 57 pages, 27 figures, and 2 tables

Report number: ANL-181430, MSUHEP-23-003, PITT-PACC-2302

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.D 109, 113001 (2024)

The Present and Future of QCD

Authors: P. Achenbach, D. Adhikari, A. Afanasev, F. Afzal, C. A. Aidala, A. Al-bataineh, D. K. Almaalol, M. Amaryan, D. Androić, W. R. Armstrong, M. Arratia, J. Arrington, A. Asaturyan, E. C. Aschenauer, H. Atac, H. Avakian, T. Averett, C. Ayerbe Gayoso, X. Bai, K. N. Barish, N. Barnea, G. Basar, M. Battaglieri, A. A. Baty, I. Bautista , et al. (378 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This White Paper presents the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting that took place September 23-25, 2022 at MIT, as part of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) 2023 Long Range Planning process. A total of 424 physicists registered for the meeting. The meeting highlighted progress in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) nuclear physics since the 2015… ▽ More This White Paper presents the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting that took place September 23-25, 2022 at MIT, as part of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) 2023 Long Range Planning process. A total of 424 physicists registered for the meeting. The meeting highlighted progress in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) nuclear physics since the 2015 LRP (LRP15) and identified key questions and plausible paths to obtaining answers to those questions, defining priorities for our research over the coming decade. In defining the priority of outstanding physics opportunities for the future, both prospects for the short (~ 5 years) and longer term (5-10 years and beyond) are identified together with the facilities, personnel and other resources needed to maximize the discovery potential and maintain United States leadership in QCD physics worldwide. This White Paper is organized as follows: In the Executive Summary, we detail the Recommendations and Initiatives that were presented and discussed at the Town Meeting, and their supporting rationales. Section 2 highlights major progress and accomplishments of the past seven years. It is followed, in Section 3, by an overview of the physics opportunities for the immediate future, and in relation with the next QCD frontier: the EIC. Section 4 provides an overview of the physics motivations and goals associated with the EIC. Section 5 is devoted to the workforce development and support of diversity, equity and inclusion. This is followed by a dedicated section on computing in Section 6. Section 7 describes the national need for nuclear data science and the relevance to QCD research. △ Less

Submitted 4 March, 2023; originally announced March 2023.

Comments: QCD Town Meeting White Paper, as submitted to 2023 NSAC LRP committee on Feb. 28, 2023

Journal ref: Nucl.Phys.A 1047 (2024) 122874

Target mass corrections in lepton--nucleus DIS: theory and applications to nuclear PDFs

Authors: R. Ruiz, K. F. Muzakka, C. Leger, P. Risse, A. Accardi, P. Duwentäster, T. J. Hobbs, T. Ježo, C. Keppel, M. Klasen, K. Kovařík, A. Kusina, J. G. Morfín, F. I. Olness, J. F. Owens, I. Schienbein, J. Y. Yu

Abstract: Motivated by the wide range of kinematics covered by current and planned deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) facilities, we revisit the formalism, practical implementation, and numerical impact of target mass corrections (TMCs) for DIS on unpolarized nuclear targets. An important aspect is that we only use nuclear and later partonic degrees of freedom, carefully avoiding a picture of the nucleus in te… ▽ More Motivated by the wide range of kinematics covered by current and planned deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) facilities, we revisit the formalism, practical implementation, and numerical impact of target mass corrections (TMCs) for DIS on unpolarized nuclear targets. An important aspect is that we only use nuclear and later partonic degrees of freedom, carefully avoiding a picture of the nucleus in terms of nucleons. After establishing that formulae used for individual nucleon targets $(p,n)$, derived in the Operator Product Expansion (OPE) formalism, are indeed applicable to nuclear targets, we rewrite expressions for nuclear TMCs in terms of \mbox{re-scaled} (or averaged) kinematic variables. As a consequence, we find a representation for nuclear TMCs that is approximately independent of the nuclear target. We go on to construct a single-parameter fit for all nuclear targets that is in good numerical agreement with full computations of TMCs. We discuss in detail qualitative and quantitative differences between nuclear TMCs built in the OPE and the parton model formalisms, as well as give numerical predictions for current and future facilities. △ Less

Submitted 12 March, 2024; v1 submitted 18 January, 2023; originally announced January 2023.

Comments: journal version: 96 pages (including two appendices and references), many plots and figures, extended/improved discussions

Report number: IFJPAN-IV-2022-18, SMU-HEP-22-12, MS-TP-22-49, ANL-180568, FNAL-PUB-23-142-ND

Journal ref: Prog.Part.Nucl.Phys. 136 (2024) 104096

The persistent nonperturbative charm enigma

Authors: Marco Guzzi, T. J. Hobbs, Keping Xie, Joey Huston, Pavel Nadolsky, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: The question of the existence and possible magnitude of nonperturbative (often called "intrinsic") charm in the proton has long confounded attempts to cleanly isolate such a contribution in global analyses of high-energy experiments. In this letter, we show that the available (non)perturbative QCD theory and hadronic data have still not developed to a sufficient level to clearly resolve this probl… ▽ More The question of the existence and possible magnitude of nonperturbative (often called "intrinsic") charm in the proton has long confounded attempts to cleanly isolate such a contribution in global analyses of high-energy experiments. In this letter, we show that the available (non)perturbative QCD theory and hadronic data have still not developed to a sufficient level to clearly resolve this problem. We highlight a number of challenging aspects that must be confronted in extracting nonperturbative charm in PDF fits, and in so doing, present an updated next-to-next-to-leading order CT analysis of fitted charm, CT18 FC, which we also compare to recent studies. We outline the theory developments and future data needed to make progress on this subject. △ Less

Submitted 20 June, 2023; v1 submitted 2 November, 2022; originally announced November 2022.

Comments: 10 pages, 2 figures in main Letter; includes 6 pages of Supplementary Discussion with 6 additional figures; updated following publication in PLB 843 (2023) 137975

Report number: ANL-179603, FERMILAB-PUB-22-786-T, MSUHEP-22-035, SMU-HEP-22-10

Journal ref: Phys. Lett. B 843 (2023) 137975

Simultaneous CTEQ-TEA extraction of PDFs and SMEFT parameters from jet and $t{\bar t}$ data

Authors: Jun Gao, MeiSen Gao, T. J. Hobbs, DianYu Liu, XiaoMin Shen

Abstract: Recasting phenomenological Lagrangians in terms of SM effective field theory (SMEFT) provides a valuable means of connecting potential BSM physics at momenta well above the electroweak scale to experimental signatures at lower energies. In this work we jointly fit the Wilson coefficients of SMEFT operators as well as the PDFs in an extension of the CT18 global analysis framework, obtaining self-co… ▽ More Recasting phenomenological Lagrangians in terms of SM effective field theory (SMEFT) provides a valuable means of connecting potential BSM physics at momenta well above the electroweak scale to experimental signatures at lower energies. In this work we jointly fit the Wilson coefficients of SMEFT operators as well as the PDFs in an extension of the CT18 global analysis framework, obtaining self-consistent constraints to possible BSM physics effects. Global fits are boosted with machine-learning techniques in the form of neural networks to ensure efficient scans of the full PDF+SMEFT parameter space. We focus on several operators relevant for top-quark pair and jet production at hadron colliders and obtain constraints on the Wilson coefficients with Lagrange Multiplier scans. We find mild correlations between the extracted Wilson coefficients, PDFs, and other QCD parameters, and see indications that these correlations may become more prominent in future analyses based on data of higher precision. This work serves as a new platform for joint analyses of SM and BSM physics based on the CTEQ-TEA framework. △ Less

Submitted 3 May, 2023; v1 submitted 2 November, 2022; originally announced November 2022.

Comments: 42 pages, 19 figures

Precision QCD, Hadronic Structure & Forward QCD, Heavy Ions: Report of Energy Frontier Topical Groups 5, 6, 7 submitted to Snowmass 2021

Authors: M. Begel, S. Hoeche, M. Schmitt, H. -W. Lin, P. M. Nadolsky, C. Royon, Y-J. Lee, S. Mukherjee, C. Baldenegro, J. Campbell, G. Chachamis, F. G. Celiberto, A. M. Cooper-Sarkar, D. d'Enterria, M. Diefenthaler, M. Fucilla, M. V. Garzelli, M. Guzzi, M. Hentschinski, T. J. Hobbs, J. Huston, J. Isaacson, S. R. Klein, F. Kling, P. Kotko , et al. (25 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This report was prepared on behalf of three Energy Frontier Topical Groups of the Snowmass 2021 Community Planning Exercise. It summarizes the status and implications of studies of strong interactions in high-energy experiments and QCD theory. We emphasize the rich landscape and broad impact of these studies in the decade ahead. Hadronic interactions play a central role in the high-luminosity Larg… ▽ More This report was prepared on behalf of three Energy Frontier Topical Groups of the Snowmass 2021 Community Planning Exercise. It summarizes the status and implications of studies of strong interactions in high-energy experiments and QCD theory. We emphasize the rich landscape and broad impact of these studies in the decade ahead. Hadronic interactions play a central role in the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) physics program, and strong synergies exist between the (HL-)LHC and planned or proposed experiments at the U.S. Electron-Ion Collider, CERN forward physics experiments, high-intensity facilities, and future TeV-range lepton and hadron colliders. Prospects for precision determinations of the strong coupling and a variety of nonperturbative distribution and fragmentation functions are examined. We also review the potential of envisioned tests of new dynamical regimes of QCD in high-energy and high-density scattering processes with nucleon, ion, and photon initial states. The important role of the high-energy heavy-ion program in studies of nuclear structure and the nuclear medium, and its connections with QCD involving nucleons are summarized. We address ongoing and future theoretical advancements in multi-loop QCD computations, lattice QCD, jet substructure, and event generators. Cross-cutting connections between experimental measurements, theoretical predictions, large-scale data analysis, and high-performance computing are emphasized. △ Less

Submitted 19 November, 2022; v1 submitted 29 September, 2022; originally announced September 2022.

Comments: 95 pages (bibliography 30 pages), 28 figures; v.2: minor changes, authors and references added

Report number: FERMILAB-CONF-22-733-SCD-T, SMU-HEP-22-06

Neutrino-nucleus CC0$π$ cross-section tuning in GENIE v3

Authors: Julia Tena-Vidal, Costas Andreopoulos, Adi Ashkenazi, Joshua Barrow, Steven Dytman, Hugh Gallagher, Alfonso Andres Garcia Soto, Steven Gardiner, Matan Goldenberg, Robert Hatcher, Or Hen, Timothy J. Hobbs, Igor D. Kakorin, Konstantin S. Kuzmin, Anselmo Meregalia, Vadim A. Naumov, Afroditi Papadopoulou, Gabriel Perdue, Marco Roda, Alon Sportes, Noah Steinberg, Vladyslav Syrotenko, Jeremy Wolcott

Abstract: This article summarizes the state of the art of $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ CC0$π$ cross-section measurements on carbon and argon and discusses the relevant nuclear models, parametrizations and uncertainties in GENIE v3. The CC0$π$ event topology is common in experiments at a few-GeV energy range. Although its main contribution comes from quasi-elastic interactions, this topology is still not well underst… ▽ More This article summarizes the state of the art of $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ CC0$π$ cross-section measurements on carbon and argon and discusses the relevant nuclear models, parametrizations and uncertainties in GENIE v3. The CC0$π$ event topology is common in experiments at a few-GeV energy range. Although its main contribution comes from quasi-elastic interactions, this topology is still not well understood. The GENIE global analysis framework is exploited to analyze CC0$π$ datasets from MiniBooNE, T2K and MINERvA. A partial tune for each experiment is performed, providing a common base for the discussion of tensions between datasets. The results offer an improved description of nuclear CC0$π$ datasets as well as data-driven uncertainties for each experiment. This work is a step towards a GENIE global tune that improves our understanding of neutrino interactions on nuclei. It follows from earlier GENIE work on the analysis of neutrino scattering datasets on hydrogen and deuterium. △ Less

Submitted 17 October, 2022; v1 submitted 22 June, 2022; originally announced June 2022.

Report number: FERMILAB-PUB-22-296-ND-QIS-SCD

Compatibility of Neutrino DIS Data and Its Impact on Nuclear Parton Distribution Functions

Authors: K. F. Muzakka, P. Duwentäster, T. J. Hobbs, T. Ježo, M. Klasen, K. Kovařík, A. Kusina, J. G. Morfín, F. I. Olness, R. Ruiz, I. Schienbein, J. Y. Yu

Abstract: In global analyses of nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs), neutrino deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data have been argued to exhibit tensions with the data from charged-lepton DIS. Using the nCTEQ framework, we investigate these possible tensions both internally and with the data sets used in our recent nPDF analysis nCTEQ15WZSIH. We take into account nuclear effects in the calculation o… ▽ More In global analyses of nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs), neutrino deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data have been argued to exhibit tensions with the data from charged-lepton DIS. Using the nCTEQ framework, we investigate these possible tensions both internally and with the data sets used in our recent nPDF analysis nCTEQ15WZSIH. We take into account nuclear effects in the calculation of the deuteron structure function $F_2^D$ using the CJ15 analysis. The resulting nPDF fit, nCTEQ15WZSIHdeut, serves as the basis for our comparison with inclusive neutrino DIS and charm dimuon production data. Using $χ^2$ hypothesis testing, we confirm evidence of tensions with these data and study the impact of the proton PDF baseline as well as the treatment of data correlation and normalization uncertainties. We identify the experimental data and kinematic regions that generate the tensions and present several possible approaches how a consistent global analysis with neutrino data can be performed. We show that the tension can be relieved using a kinematic cut at low $x$ ($x>0.1$) and also investigate a possibility of managing the tensions by using uncorrelated systematic errors. Finally, we present a different approach identifying a subset of neutrino data which leads to a consistent global analysis without any additional cuts. Understanding these tensions between the neutrino and charged-lepton DIS data is important not only for a better flavor separation in global analyses of nuclear and proton PDFs, but also for neutrino physics and for searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. △ Less

Submitted 27 April, 2022; originally announced April 2022.

Comments: 33 pages, 25 figures

Report number: MS-TP-22-06, SMU-HEP-22-04, IFJPAN-IV-2022-2, FERMILAB-PUB-22-119-ND-SCD-T

Snowmass 2021 whitepaper: Proton structure at the precision frontier

Authors: S. Amoroso, A. Apyan, N. Armesto, R. D. Ball, V. Bertone, C. Bissolotti, J. Bluemlein, R. Boughezal, G. Bozzi, D. Britzger, A. Buckley, A. Candido, S. Carrazza, F. G. Celiberto, S. Cerci, G. Chachamis, A. M. Cooper-Sarkar, A. Courtoy, T. Cridge, J. M. Cruz-Martinez, F. Giuli, M. Guzzi, C. Gwenlan, L. A. Harland-Lang, F. Hekhorn , et al. (32 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: An overwhelming number of theoretical predictions for hadron colliders require parton distribution functions (PDFs), which are an important ingredient of theory infrastructure for the next generation of high-energy experiments. This whitepaper summarizes the status and future prospects for determination of high-precision PDFs applicable in a wide range of energies and experiments, in particular in… ▽ More An overwhelming number of theoretical predictions for hadron colliders require parton distribution functions (PDFs), which are an important ingredient of theory infrastructure for the next generation of high-energy experiments. This whitepaper summarizes the status and future prospects for determination of high-precision PDFs applicable in a wide range of energies and experiments, in particular in precision tests of the Standard Model and in new physics searches at the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider and Electron-Ion Collider. We discuss the envisioned advancements in experimental measurements, QCD theory, global analysis methodology, and computing that are necessary to bring unpolarized PDFs in the nucleon to the N2LO and N3LO accuracy in the QCD coupling strength. Special attention is given to the new tasks that emerge in the era of the precision PDF analysis, such as those focusing on the robust control of systematic factors both in experimental measurements and theoretical computations. Various synergies between experimental and theoretical studies of the hadron structure are explored, including opportunities for studying PDFs for nuclear and meson targets, PDFs with electroweak contributions or dependence on the transverse momentum, for incisive comparisons between phenomenological models for the PDFs and computations on discrete lattice, and for cross-fertilization with machine learning/AI approaches. [Submitted to the US Community Study on the Future of Particle Physics (Snowmass 2021).] △ Less

Submitted 5 April, 2023; v1 submitted 25 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: 83 pages, 27 figures, contribution to Snowmass 2021; v.3: journal version

Report number: Edinburgh 2022/08, FERMILAB-PUB-22-222-QIS-SCD-T, MPP-2022-32, SLAC-PUB-17652, SMU-HEP-22-02, TIF-UNIMI-2022-6

Journal ref: Acta Phys.Polon.B 53 (2022) 12, A1

Snowmass 2021 White Paper: Electron Ion Collider for High Energy Physics

Authors: R. Abdul Khalek, U. D'Alesio, M. Arratia, A. Bacchetta, M. Battaglieri, M. Begel, M. Boglione, R. Boughezal, R. Boussarie, G. Bozzi, S. V. Chekanov, F. G. Celiberto, G. Chirilli, T. Cridge, R. Cruz-Torres, R. Corliss, C. Cotton, H. Davoudiasl, A. Deshpande, X. Dong, A. Emmert, S. Fazio, S. Forte, Y. Furletova, C. Gal , et al. (83 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Electron Ion Collider (EIC) is a particle accelerator facility planned for construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York by the United States Department of Energy. EIC will provide capabilities of colliding beams of polarized electrons with polarized beams of proton and light ions. EIC will be one of the largest and most sophisticated new accelerator facilities worldwide,… ▽ More Electron Ion Collider (EIC) is a particle accelerator facility planned for construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York by the United States Department of Energy. EIC will provide capabilities of colliding beams of polarized electrons with polarized beams of proton and light ions. EIC will be one of the largest and most sophisticated new accelerator facilities worldwide, and the only new large-scale accelerator facility planned for construction in the United States in the next few decades. The versatility, resolving power and intensity of EIC will present many new opportunities to address some of the crucial and fundamental open scientific questions in particle physics. This document provides an overview of the science case of EIC from the perspective of the high energy physics community. △ Less

Submitted 17 October, 2022; v1 submitted 24 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: Submitted to the Proceedings of the US Community Study on the Future of Particle Physics (Snowmass 2021)

Event Generators for High-Energy Physics Experiments

Authors: J. M. Campbell, M. Diefenthaler, T. J. Hobbs, S. Höche, J. Isaacson, F. Kling, S. Mrenna, J. Reuter, S. Alioli, J. R. Andersen, C. Andreopoulos, A. M. Ankowski, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Ashkenazi, M. D. Baker, J. L. Barrow, M. van Beekveld, G. Bewick, S. Bhattacharya, N. Bhuiyan, C. Bierlich, E. Bothmann, P. Bredt, A. Broggio, A. Buckley , et al. (187 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We provide an overview of the status of Monte-Carlo event generators for high-energy particle physics. Guided by the experimental needs and requirements, we highlight areas of active development, and opportunities for future improvements. Particular emphasis is given to physics models and algorithms that are employed across a variety of experiments. These common themes in event generator developme… ▽ More We provide an overview of the status of Monte-Carlo event generators for high-energy particle physics. Guided by the experimental needs and requirements, we highlight areas of active development, and opportunities for future improvements. Particular emphasis is given to physics models and algorithms that are employed across a variety of experiments. These common themes in event generator development lead to a more comprehensive understanding of physics at the highest energies and intensities, and allow models to be tested against a wealth of data that have been accumulated over the past decades. A cohesive approach to event generator development will allow these models to be further improved and systematic uncertainties to be reduced, directly contributing to future experimental success. Event generators are part of a much larger ecosystem of computational tools. They typically involve a number of unknown model parameters that must be tuned to experimental data, while maintaining the integrity of the underlying physics models. Making both these data, and the analyses with which they have been obtained accessible to future users is an essential aspect of open science and data preservation. It ensures the consistency of physics models across a variety of experiments. △ Less

Submitted 26 February, 2025; v1 submitted 21 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: 164 pages, 10 figures, contribution to Snowmass 2021

Report number: CP3-22-12, DESY-22-042, FERMILAB-PUB-22-116-SCD-T, IPPP/21/51, JLAB-PHY-22-3576, KA-TP-04-2022, LA-UR-22-22126, LU-TP-22-12, MCNET-22-04, OUTP-22-03P, P3H-22-024, PITT-PACC 2207, UCI-TR-2022-02

Journal ref: SciPost Phys. 16 (2024) 5, 130

Theoretical tools for neutrino scattering: interplay between lattice QCD, EFTs, nuclear physics, phenomenology, and neutrino event generators

Authors: L. Alvarez Ruso, A. M. Ankowski, S. Bacca, A. B. Balantekin, J. Carlson, S. Gardiner, R. Gonzalez-Jimenez, R. Gupta, T. J. Hobbs, M. Hoferichter, J. Isaacson, N. Jachowicz, W. I. Jay, T. Katori, F. Kling, A. S. Kronfeld, S. W. Li, H. -W. Lin, K. -F. Liu, A. Lovato, K. Mahn, J. Menendez, A. S. Meyer, J. Morfin, S. Pastore , et al. (36 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Maximizing the discovery potential of increasingly precise neutrino experiments will require an improved theoretical understanding of neutrino-nucleus cross sections over a wide range of energies. Low-energy interactions are needed to reconstruct the energies of astrophysical neutrinos from supernovae bursts and search for new physics using increasingly precise measurement of coherent elastic neut… ▽ More Maximizing the discovery potential of increasingly precise neutrino experiments will require an improved theoretical understanding of neutrino-nucleus cross sections over a wide range of energies. Low-energy interactions are needed to reconstruct the energies of astrophysical neutrinos from supernovae bursts and search for new physics using increasingly precise measurement of coherent elastic neutrino scattering. Higher-energy interactions involve a variety of reaction mechanisms including quasi-elastic scattering, resonance production, and deep inelastic scattering that must all be included to reliably predict cross sections for energies relevant to DUNE and other accelerator neutrino experiments. This white paper discusses the theoretical status, challenges, required resources, and path forward for achieving precise predictions of neutrino-nucleus scattering and emphasizes the need for a coordinated theoretical effort involved lattice QCD, nuclear effective theories, phenomenological models of the transition region, and event generators. △ Less

Submitted 20 April, 2022; v1 submitted 16 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: 81 pages, contribution to Snowmass 2021

Report number: DESY-22-05, FERMILAB-FN-1161-T, MITP-22-027

The PDF4LHC21 combination of global PDF fits for the LHC Run III

Authors: Richard D. Ball, Jon Butterworth, Amanda M. Cooper-Sarkar, Aurore Courtoy, Thomas Cridge, Albert De Roeck, Joel Feltesse, Stefano Forte, Francesco Giuli, Claire Gwenlan, Lucian A. Harland-Lang, T. J. Hobbs, Tie-Jiun Hou, Joey Huston, Ronan McNulty, Pavel M. Nadolsky, Emanuele R. Nocera, Tanjona R. Rabemananjara, Juan Rojo, Robert S. Thorne, Keping Xie, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: A precise knowledge of the quark and gluon structure of the proton, encoded by the parton distribution functions (PDFs), is of paramount importance for the interpretation of high-energy processes at present and future lepton-hadron and hadron-hadron colliders. Motivated by recent progress in the PDF determinations carried out by the CT, MSHT, and NNPDF groups, we present an updated combination of… ▽ More A precise knowledge of the quark and gluon structure of the proton, encoded by the parton distribution functions (PDFs), is of paramount importance for the interpretation of high-energy processes at present and future lepton-hadron and hadron-hadron colliders. Motivated by recent progress in the PDF determinations carried out by the CT, MSHT, and NNPDF groups, we present an updated combination of global PDF fits: PDF4LHC21. It is based on the Monte Carlo combination of the CT18, MSHT20, and NNPDF3.1 sets followed by either its Hessian reduction or its replica compression. Extensive benchmark studies are carried out in order to disentangle the origin of the differences between the three global PDF sets. In particular, dedicated fits based on almost identical theory settings and input datasets are performed by the three groups, highlighting the role played by the respective fitting methodologies. We compare the new PDF4LHC21 combination with its predecessor, PDF4LHC15, demonstrating their good overall consistency and a modest reduction of PDF uncertainties for key LHC processes such as electroweak gauge boson production and Higgs boson production in gluon fusion. We study the phenomenological implications of PDF4LHC21 for a representative selection of inclusive, fiducial, and differential cross sections at the LHC. The PDF4LHC21 combination is made available via the LHAPDF library and provides a robust, user-friendly, and efficient method to estimate the PDF uncertainties associated to theoretical calculations for the upcoming Run III of the LHC and beyond. △ Less

Submitted 23 March, 2022; v1 submitted 10 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: 87 pages, 44 figures, 11 tables

Report number: Edinburgh 2021/31, FERMILAB-PUB-22-121-QIS-SCD-T, MSUHEP-22-010, Nikhef 2021-033, SMU-HEP-22-01

The Forward Physics Facility at the High-Luminosity LHC

Authors: Jonathan L. Feng, Felix Kling, Mary Hall Reno, Juan Rojo, Dennis Soldin, Luis A. Anchordoqui, Jamie Boyd, Ahmed Ismail, Lucian Harland-Lang, Kevin J. Kelly, Vishvas Pandey, Sebastian Trojanowski, Yu-Dai Tsai, Jean-Marco Alameddine, Takeshi Araki, Akitaka Ariga, Tomoko Ariga, Kento Asai, Alessandro Bacchetta, Kincso Balazs, Alan J. Barr, Michele Battistin, Jianming Bian, Caterina Bertone, Weidong Bai , et al. (211 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: High energy collisions at the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) produce a large number of particles along the beam collision axis, outside of the acceptance of existing LHC experiments. The proposed Forward Physics Facility (FPF), to be located several hundred meters from the ATLAS interaction point and shielded by concrete and rock, will host a suite of experiments to probe Standard Mod… ▽ More High energy collisions at the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) produce a large number of particles along the beam collision axis, outside of the acceptance of existing LHC experiments. The proposed Forward Physics Facility (FPF), to be located several hundred meters from the ATLAS interaction point and shielded by concrete and rock, will host a suite of experiments to probe Standard Model (SM) processes and search for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). In this report, we review the status of the civil engineering plans and the experiments to explore the diverse physics signals that can be uniquely probed in the forward region. FPF experiments will be sensitive to a broad range of BSM physics through searches for new particle scattering or decay signatures and deviations from SM expectations in high statistics analyses with TeV neutrinos in this low-background environment. High statistics neutrino detection will also provide valuable data for fundamental topics in perturbative and non-perturbative QCD and in weak interactions. Experiments at the FPF will enable synergies between forward particle production at the LHC and astroparticle physics to be exploited. We report here on these physics topics, on infrastructure, detector, and simulation studies, and on future directions to realize the FPF's physics potential. △ Less

Submitted 9 March, 2022; originally announced March 2022.

Comments: 429 pages, contribution to Snowmass 2021

Report number: UCI-TR-2022-01, CERN-PBC-Notes-2022-001, FERMILAB-PUB-22-094-ND-SCD-T, INT-PUB-22-006, BONN-TH-2022-04

DIS physics at the EIC and LHeC and connections to the future LHC and $ν$A programs

Authors: T. J. Hobbs

Abstract: Deeply-inelastic scattering (DIS) stands to enter a golden age with the prospect of precision programs at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and Large Hadron-electron Collider (LHeC). While these programs will be of considerable importance to resolving longstanding issues in (non)perturbative QCD as well as hadronic and nuclear structure, they will also have valuable implications for a wider range of… ▽ More Deeply-inelastic scattering (DIS) stands to enter a golden age with the prospect of precision programs at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and Large Hadron-electron Collider (LHeC). While these programs will be of considerable importance to resolving longstanding issues in (non)perturbative QCD as well as hadronic and nuclear structure, they will also have valuable implications for a wider range of physics at the Energy and Intensity Frontiers, including at the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) and future $νA$ facilities. In this plenary contribution, we highlight a number of salient examples of the potential HEP impact from the complementary EIC and LHeC programs drawn from their respective Yellow Report and Whitepaper. Interested readers are encouraged to consult the extensive studies and literature from which these examples are taken for more detail. △ Less

Submitted 16 February, 2022; originally announced February 2022.

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures; based on plenary talk presented at DIS 2021

Report number: FERMILAB-CONF-21-377-QIS-SCD-T

NNLO constraints on proton PDFs from the SeaQuest and STAR experiments and other developments in the CTEQ-TEA global analysis

Authors: Marco Guzzi, T. J. Hobbs, Tie-Jiun Hou, Xiaoxian Jing, Keping Xie, Aurore Courtoy, Sayipjamal Dulat, Jun Gao, Joey Huston, Pavel M. Nadolsky, Carl Schmidt, Ibrahim Sitiwaldi, Mengshi Yan, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: We review progress in the global QCD analysis by the CTEQ-TEA group since the publication of CT18 parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the proton. Specifically, we discuss comparisons of CT18 NNLO predictions with the LHC 13 TeV measurements as well as with the FNAL SeaQuest and BNL STAR data on lepton pair production. The specialized CT18X PDFs approximating saturation effects are compared wit… ▽ More We review progress in the global QCD analysis by the CTEQ-TEA group since the publication of CT18 parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the proton. Specifically, we discuss comparisons of CT18 NNLO predictions with the LHC 13 TeV measurements as well as with the FNAL SeaQuest and BNL STAR data on lepton pair production. The specialized CT18X PDFs approximating saturation effects are compared with the CT18sx PDFs obtained using NLL/NLO small-$x$ resummation. Short summaries are presented for the special CT18 parton distributions with fitted charm and with lattice QCD inputs. A recent comparative analysis of the impact of deuteron nuclear effects on the parton distributions by the CTEQ-JLab and CTEQ-TEA groups is summarized. △ Less

Submitted 11 February, 2022; v1 submitted 14 August, 2021; originally announced August 2021.

Comments: 16 pages, 7 figures

Report number: FERMILAB-CONF-21-361-QIS-SCD-T, MSUHEP-21-023, PITT-PACC-2117, SMU-HEP-21-09

The photon content of the proton in the CT18 global analysis

Authors: Keping Xie, T. J. Hobbs, Tie-Jiun Hou, Carl Schmidt, Mengshi Yan, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: Recently, two photon PDF sets based on implementations of the LUX ansatz into the CT18 global analysis were released. In CT18lux, the photon PDF is calculated directly using the LUX master formula for all scales, $μ$. In an alternative realization, CT18qed, the photon PDF is initialized at the starting scale, $μ_0$, using the LUX formulation and evolved to higher scales $μ(>μ_0)$ with a combined Q… ▽ More Recently, two photon PDF sets based on implementations of the LUX ansatz into the CT18 global analysis were released. In CT18lux, the photon PDF is calculated directly using the LUX master formula for all scales, $μ$. In an alternative realization, CT18qed, the photon PDF is initialized at the starting scale, $μ_0$, using the LUX formulation and evolved to higher scales $μ(>μ_0)$ with a combined QED+QCD kernel at $\mathcal{O}(α),~\mathcal{O}(αα_s)$ and $\mathcal{O}(α^2)$. In the small-$x$ region, the photon PDF uncertainty is mainly induced by the quark and gluon PDFs, through the perturbative DIS structure functions. In comparison, the large-$x$ photon uncertainty comes from various low-energy, nonperturbative contributions, including variations of the inelastic structure functions in the resonance and continuum regions, higher-twist and target-mass corrections, and elastic electromagnetic form factors of the proton. We take the production of doubly-charged Higgs pairs, $(H^{++}H^{--})$, as an example of scenarios beyond the Standard Model to illustrate the phenomenological implications of these photon PDFs at the LHC. △ Less

Submitted 28 July, 2021; originally announced July 2021.

Comments: Submission to SciPost

Report number: MSUHEP-21-015, PITT-PACC-2116, SMU-HEP-21-11

Impact of W and Z Production Data and Compatibility of Neutrino DIS Data in Nuclear Parton Distribution Functions

Authors: K. F. Muzakka, P. Duwentäster, T. J. Hobbs, T. Ježo, M. Klasen, K. Kovařík, A. Kusina, J. G. Morfín, F. I. Olness, R. Ruiz, I. Schienbein, J. Y. Yu

Abstract: Vector boson production and neutrino deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data are crucial for constraining the strange quark parton distribution function (PDF) and more generally for flavor decomposition in PDF extractions. We extend the nCTEQ15 nuclear PDFs (nPDFs) by adding the recent $W$ and $Z$ production data from the LHC in a global nPDF fit. The new nPDF set, referred to as nCTEQ15WZ, is used a… ▽ More Vector boson production and neutrino deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data are crucial for constraining the strange quark parton distribution function (PDF) and more generally for flavor decomposition in PDF extractions. We extend the nCTEQ15 nuclear PDFs (nPDFs) by adding the recent $W$ and $Z$ production data from the LHC in a global nPDF fit. The new nPDF set, referred to as nCTEQ15WZ, is used as a starting point for a follow-up study in which we assess the compatibility of neutrino DIS data with charged lepton DIS data. Specifically, we re-analyze neutrino DIS data from NuTeV, Chorus, and CDHSW, as well as dimuon data from CCFR and NuTeV. To scrutinize the level of compatibility, different kinematic regions of the neutrino data are investigated. Fits to the neutrino data alone and a preliminary global fit are performed and compared to nCTEQ15WZ. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2022; v1 submitted 28 July, 2021; originally announced July 2021.

Comments: 8 pages, 4 figures. Submission to SciPost

Report number: MS-TP-21-21

General heavy-flavor mass scheme for charged-current DIS at NNLO and beyond

Authors: Jun Gao, T. J. Hobbs, P. M. Nadolsky, ChuanLe Sun, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: Incompleteness in current knowledge of neutrino interactions with nuclear matter imposes a primary limitation in searches for leptonic CP violation carried out at long-baseline neutrino experiments. In this paper, we present a new computation that elevates the theoretical accuracy to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD for charged-current deeply-inelastic scattering (DIS) processes relevan… ▽ More Incompleteness in current knowledge of neutrino interactions with nuclear matter imposes a primary limitation in searches for leptonic CP violation carried out at long-baseline neutrino experiments. In this paper, we present a new computation that elevates the theoretical accuracy to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD for charged-current deeply-inelastic scattering (DIS) processes relevant for ongoing and future neutrino programs. Mass-dependent quark contributions are consistently included across a wide range of momentum transfers in the SACOT-$χ$ general-mass scheme. When appropriate, we further include N$^3$LO corrections in the zero-mass scheme. We show theoretical predictions for several experiments with neutrinos over a wide range of energies and at the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider. Our prediction reduces perturbative uncertainties to $\sim\!1\%$, sufficient for the high-precision objectives of future charged-current DIS measurements, and provides important theoretical inputs to experimental studies of leptonic mixing and CP violations. △ Less

Submitted 5 April, 2022; v1 submitted 1 July, 2021; originally announced July 2021.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures; published version

The photon PDF within the CT18 global analysis

Authors: Keping Xie, T. J. Hobbs, Tie-Jiun Hou, Carl Schmidt, Mengshi Yan, C. -P. Yuan

Abstract: Building upon the most recent CT18 global fit, we present a new calculation of the photon content of the proton based on an application of the LUX formalism. In this work, we explore two principal variations of the LUX ansatz. In one approach, which we designate "CT18lux," the photon PDF is calculated directly using the LUX formula for all scales, $μ$. In an alternative realization, "CT18qed," we… ▽ More Building upon the most recent CT18 global fit, we present a new calculation of the photon content of the proton based on an application of the LUX formalism. In this work, we explore two principal variations of the LUX ansatz. In one approach, which we designate "CT18lux," the photon PDF is calculated directly using the LUX formula for all scales, $μ$. In an alternative realization, "CT18qed," we instead initialize the photon PDF in terms of the LUX formulation at a lower scale, $μ\! \sim\! μ_0$, and evolve to higher scales with a combined QED+QCD kernel at $\mathcal{O}(α),~\mathcal{O}(αα_s)$ and $\mathcal{O}(α^2)$. While we find these two approaches generally agree, especially at intermediate $x$ ($10^{-3}\lesssim x\lesssim0.3$), we discuss some moderate discrepancies that can occur toward the end-point regions at very high or low $x$. We also study effects that follow from variations of the inputs to the LUX calculation originating outside the pure deeply-inelastic scattering (DIS) region, including from elastic form factors and other contributions to the photon PDF. Finally, we investigate the phenomenological implications of these photon PDFs for the LHC, including high-mass Drell-Yan, vector-boson pair, top-quark pair, and Higgs associated with vector-boson production. △ Less

Submitted 12 February, 2023; v1 submitted 18 June, 2021; originally announced June 2021.

Comments: 45 pages, 27 figures, and 5 tables

Report number: MSUHEP-21-013, PITT-PACC-2112, SMU-HEP-21-06, FERMILAB-PUB-21-370-QIS-SCD-T

Science Requirements and Detector Concepts for the Electron-Ion Collider: EIC Yellow Report

Authors: R. Abdul Khalek, A. Accardi, J. Adam, D. Adamiak, W. Akers, M. Albaladejo, A. Al-bataineh, M. G. Alexeev, F. Ameli, P. Antonioli, N. Armesto, W. R. Armstrong, M. Arratia, J. Arrington, A. Asaturyan, M. Asai, E. C. Aschenauer, S. Aune, H. Avagyan, C. Ayerbe Gayoso, B. Azmoun, A. Bacchetta, M. D. Baker, F. Barbosa, L. Barion , et al. (390 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This report describes the physics case, the resulting detector requirements, and the evolving detector concepts for the experimental program at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The EIC will be a powerful new high-luminosity facility in the United States with the capability to collide high-energy electron beams with high-energy proton and ion beams, providing access to those regions in the nucleon… ▽ More This report describes the physics case, the resulting detector requirements, and the evolving detector concepts for the experimental program at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The EIC will be a powerful new high-luminosity facility in the United States with the capability to collide high-energy electron beams with high-energy proton and ion beams, providing access to those regions in the nucleon and nuclei where their structure is dominated by gluons. Moreover, polarized beams in the EIC will give unprecedented access to the spatial and spin structure of the proton, neutron, and light ions. The studies leading to this document were commissioned and organized by the EIC User Group with the objective of advancing the state and detail of the physics program and developing detector concepts that meet the emerging requirements in preparation for the realization of the EIC. The effort aims to provide the basis for further development of concepts for experimental equipment best suited for the science needs, including the importance of two complementary detectors and interaction regions. This report consists of three volumes. Volume I is an executive summary of our findings and developed concepts. In Volume II we describe studies of a wide range of physics measurements and the emerging requirements on detector acceptance and performance. Volume III discusses general-purpose detector concepts and the underlying technologies to meet the physics requirements. These considerations will form the basis for a world-class experimental program that aims to increase our understanding of the fundamental structure of all visible matter △ Less

Submitted 26 October, 2021; v1 submitted 8 March, 2021; originally announced March 2021.

Comments: 902 pages, 415 authors, 151 institutions

Report number: BNL-220990-2021-FORE, JLAB-PHY-21-3198, LA-UR-21-20953

Journal ref: Nucl. Phys. A 1026 (2022) 122447

Revealing the structure of light pseudoscalar mesons at the Electron-Ion Collider

Authors: John Arrington, Carlos Ayerbe Gayoso, Patrick C Barry, Vladimir Berdnikov, Daniele Binosi, Lei Chang, Markus Diefenthaler, Minghui Ding, Rolf Ent, Tobias Frederico, Yulia Furletova, Tim J Hobbs, Tanja Horn, Garth M Huber, Stephen JD Kay, Cynthia Keppel, Huy-Wen Lin, Cedric Mezrag, Rachel Montgomery, Ian L Pegg, Khepani Raya, Paul Reimer, David G Richards, Craig D Roberts, Jose Rodriguez-Quintero , et al. (7 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: How the bulk of the Universe's visible mass emerges and how it is manifest in the existence and properties of hadrons are profound questions that probe into the heart of strongly interacting matter. Paradoxically, the lightest pseudoscalar mesons appear to be the key to the further understanding of the emergent mass and structure mechanisms. These mesons, namely the pion and kaon, are the Nambu-Go… ▽ More How the bulk of the Universe's visible mass emerges and how it is manifest in the existence and properties of hadrons are profound questions that probe into the heart of strongly interacting matter. Paradoxically, the lightest pseudoscalar mesons appear to be the key to the further understanding of the emergent mass and structure mechanisms. These mesons, namely the pion and kaon, are the Nambu-Goldstone boson modes of QCD. Unravelling their partonic structure and the interplay between emergent and Higgs-boson mass mechanisms is a common goal of three interdependent approaches -- continuum QCD phenomenology, lattice-regularised QCD, and the global analysis of parton distributions -- linked to experimental measurements of hadron structure. Experimentally, the foreseen electron-ion collider will enable a revolution in our ability to study pion and kaon structure, accessed by scattering from the "meson cloud" of the proton through the Sullivan process. With the goal of enabling a suite of measurements that can address these questions, we examine key reactions to identify the critical detector system requirements needed to map tagged pion and kaon cross sections over a wide range of kinematics. The excellent prospects for extracting pion structure function and form factor data are shown, and similar prospects for kaon structure are discussed in the context of a worldwide programme. Successful completion of the programme outlined herein will deliver deep, far-reaching insights into the emergence of pions and kaons, their properties, and their role as QCD's Goldstone boson modes. △ Less

Submitted 23 February, 2021; originally announced February 2021.

Comments: 73 pages, 27 figures

Deuterium scattering experiments in CTEQ global QCD analyses: a comparative investigation

Authors: A. Accardi, T. J. Hobbs, X. Jing, P. M. Nadolsky

Abstract: Experimental measurements in deep-inelastic scattering and lepton-pair production on deuterium targets play an important role in the flavor separation of $u$ and $d$ (anti)quarks in global QCD analyses of the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the nucleon. We investigate the impact of theoretical corrections accounting for the light-nuclear structure of the deuteron upon the fitted $u, d$-qua… ▽ More Experimental measurements in deep-inelastic scattering and lepton-pair production on deuterium targets play an important role in the flavor separation of $u$ and $d$ (anti)quarks in global QCD analyses of the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the nucleon. We investigate the impact of theoretical corrections accounting for the light-nuclear structure of the deuteron upon the fitted $u, d$-quark, gluon, and other PDFs in the CJ15 and CT18 families of next-to-leading order CTEQ global analyses. The investigation is done using the $L_2$ sensitivity statistical method, which provides a common metric to quantify the strength of experimental constraints on various PDFs and ratios of PDFs in the two distinct fitting frameworks. Using the $L_2$ sensitivity and other approaches, we examine the compatibility of deuteron data sets with other fitted experiments under varied implementations of the deuteron corrections. We find that freely-fitted deuteron corrections modify the PDF uncertainty at large momentum fractions and will be relevant for future PDFs affecting electroweak precision measurements. △ Less

Submitted 19 July, 2021; v1 submitted 1 February, 2021; originally announced February 2021.

Comments: 28 pages, 13 multi-panel figures, 4 tables; updated to published version with comparisons to NNLO corrections and scale variations

Report number: SMU-HEP-20-08, JLAB-THY-21-3313

Journal ref: Eur.Phys.J.C 81 (2021) 7, 603

nCTEQ15HIX -- Extending nPDF Analyses into the High-$x$, Low $Q^2$ Region

Authors: E. P. Segarra, T. Ježo, A. Accardi, P. Duwentäster, O. Hen, T. J. Hobbs, C. Keppel, M. Klasen, K. Kovařík, A. Kusina, J. G. Morfín, K. F. Muzakka, F. I. Olness, I. Schienbein, J. Y. Yu

Abstract: We use the nCTEQ analysis framework to investigate nuclear Parton Distribution Functions (nPDFs) in the region of large x and intermediate-to-low $Q$, with special attention to recent JLab Deep Inelastic Scattering data on nuclear targets. This data lies in a region which is often excluded by $W$ and $Q$ cuts in global nPDF analyses. As we relax these cuts, we enter a new kinematic region, which r… ▽ More We use the nCTEQ analysis framework to investigate nuclear Parton Distribution Functions (nPDFs) in the region of large x and intermediate-to-low $Q$, with special attention to recent JLab Deep Inelastic Scattering data on nuclear targets. This data lies in a region which is often excluded by $W$ and $Q$ cuts in global nPDF analyses. As we relax these cuts, we enter a new kinematic region, which requires new phenomenology. In particular, we study the impact of i) target mass corrections, ii) higher twist corrections, iii) deuteron corrections, and iv) the shape of the nuclear PDF parametrization at large-$x$ close to one. Using the above tools, we produce a new nPDF set (named nCTEQ15HIX) which yields a good description of the new JLab data in this challenging kinematic region, and displays reduced uncertainties at large $x$, in particular for up and down quark flavors. △ Less

Submitted 6 September, 2021; v1 submitted 21 December, 2020; originally announced December 2020.

Comments: 25 pages, 19 figures, 6 tables, 1 auxiliary data file. Version 02: include journal updates

Report number: FNAL-PUB-20-668, JLAB-THY-20-3303, SMU-HEP-20-07, MS-TP-20-40, KA-TP-16-2020, P3H-20-052, IFJPAN-IV-2020-9

Journal ref: Physical Review D 103, 114015 (2021)

New opportunities at the photon energy frontier

Authors: Jaroslav Adam, Christine Aidala, Aaron Angerami, Benjamin Audurier, Carlos Bertulani, Christian Bierlich, Boris Blok, James Daniel Brandenburg, Stanley Brodsky, Aleksandr Bylinkin, Veronica Canoa Roman, Francesco Giovanni Celiberto, Jan Cepila, Grigorios Chachamis, Brian Cole, Guillermo Contreras, David d'Enterria, Adrian Dumitru, Arturo Fernández Téllez, Leonid Frankfurt, Maria Beatriz Gay Ducati, Frank Geurts, Gustavo Gil da Silveira, Francesco Giuli, Victor P. Goncalves , et al. (50 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) involving heavy ions and protons are the energy frontier for photon-mediated interactions. UPC photons can be used for many purposes, including probing low-$x$ gluons via photoproduction of dijets and vector mesons, probes of beyond-standard-model processes, such as those enabled by light-by-light scattering, and studies of two-photon production of the Higgs. Ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) involving heavy ions and protons are the energy frontier for photon-mediated interactions. UPC photons can be used for many purposes, including probing low-$x$ gluons via photoproduction of dijets and vector mesons, probes of beyond-standard-model processes, such as those enabled by light-by-light scattering, and studies of two-photon production of the Higgs. △ Less

Submitted 8 September, 2020; originally announced September 2020.

Comments: Letter of Interest submitted to Snowmass 2021

The Large Hadron-Electron Collider at the HL-LHC

Authors: P. Agostini, H. Aksakal, S. Alekhin, P. P. Allport, N. Andari, K. D. J. Andre, D. Angal-Kalinin, S. Antusch, L. Aperio Bella, L. Apolinario, R. Apsimon, A. Apyan, G. Arduini, V. Ari, A. Armbruster, N. Armesto, B. Auchmann, K. Aulenbacher, G. Azuelos, S. Backovic, I. Bailey, S. Bailey, F. Balli, S. Behera, O. Behnke , et al. (312 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) is designed to move the field of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) to the energy and intensity frontier of particle physics. Exploiting energy recovery technology, it collides a novel, intense electron beam with a proton or ion beam from the High Luminosity--Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The accelerator and interaction region are designed for concurrent el… ▽ More The Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) is designed to move the field of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) to the energy and intensity frontier of particle physics. Exploiting energy recovery technology, it collides a novel, intense electron beam with a proton or ion beam from the High Luminosity--Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The accelerator and interaction region are designed for concurrent electron-proton and proton-proton operation. This report represents an update of the Conceptual Design Report (CDR) of the LHeC, published in 2012. It comprises new results on parton structure of the proton and heavier nuclei, QCD dynamics, electroweak and top-quark physics. It is shown how the LHeC will open a new chapter of nuclear particle physics in extending the accessible kinematic range in lepton-nucleus scattering by several orders of magnitude. Due to enhanced luminosity, large energy and the cleanliness of the hadronic final states, the LHeC has a strong Higgs physics programme and its own discovery potential for new physics. Building on the 2012 CDR, the report represents a detailed updated design of the energy recovery electron linac (ERL) including new lattice, magnet, superconducting radio frequency technology and further components. Challenges of energy recovery are described and the lower energy, high current, 3-turn ERL facility, PERLE at Orsay, is presented which uses the LHeC characteristics serving as a development facility for the design and operation of the LHeC. An updated detector design is presented corresponding to the acceptance, resolution and calibration goals which arise from the Higgs and parton density function physics programmes. The paper also presents novel results on the Future Circular Collider in electron-hadron mode, FCC-eh, which utilises the same ERL technology to further extend the reach of DIS to even higher centre-of-mass energies. △ Less

Submitted 12 April, 2021; v1 submitted 28 July, 2020; originally announced July 2020.

Comments: 373 pages, many figures, to be published by J. Phys. G

Report number: CERN-ACC-Note-2020-0002

Journal ref: J.Phys.G 48 (2021) 11, 110501