Implications of CTEQ PDF analysis for collider observables

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new correlation-based method within the CTEQ6.6 analysis framework to better understand how uncertainties in parton distribution functions affect collider observable predictions, aiding in uncertainty reduction.

Contribution

It presents a novel technique for analyzing correlated uncertainties in PDFs and applies it to key collider processes, enhancing the interpretation of PDF impacts on observables.

Findings

Identified correlations between PDF uncertainties and collider cross sections.

Revealed regularities in PDF dependence for Z, W, and Higgs production.

Provided insights into dominant sources of theoretical uncertainty.

Abstract

In the context of a recent CTEQ6.6 global analysis, we review a new technique for studying correlated theoretical uncertainties in hadronic observables associated with imperfect knowledge of parton distribution functions (PDFs). The technique is based on the computation of correlations between the predicted values of physical observables in the Hessian matrix method. It can be used, for example, to link the dominant PDF uncertainty in a hadronic cross section to PDFs for individual parton flavors at well-defined $(x,\mu)$ values. As an illustration, we apply the PDF correlation analysis to study regularities in the PDF dependence of Z, W, and Higgs boson production cross sections at the Tevatron and LHC.