MC-TESTER v. 1.23: a universal tool for comparisons of Monte Carlo predictions for particle decays in high energy physics

TL;DR

MC-TESTER v. 1.23 is a versatile software tool designed for automated comparison of Monte Carlo predictions of particle decays in high energy physics, now supporting C++ and standard event records.

Contribution

The paper introduces new functionalities in MC-TESTER, including support for HepMC, enhanced benchmarking options, and updated analysis scripts, improving its utility and compatibility.

Findings

Supports HepMC event record for C++ programs

Enables benchmarking of decay interfaces including QED effects

Provides updated scripts for result analysis

Abstract

Theoretical predictions in high energy physics are routinely provided in the form of Monte Carlo generators. Comparisons of predictions from different programs and/or different initialization set-ups are often necessary. MC-TESTER can be used for such tests of decays of intermediate states (particles or resonances) in a semi-automated way. Since 2002 new functionalities were introduced into the package. In particular, it now works with the HepMC event record, the standard for C++ programs. The complete set-up for benchmarking the interfaces, such as interface between tau-lepton production and decay, including QED bremsstrahlung effects is shown. The example is chosen to illustrate the new options introduced into the program. From the technical perspective, our paper documents software updates and supplements previous documentation. As in the past, our test consists of two steps. Distinct Monte Carlo programs are run separately; events with decays of a chosen particle are searched, and information is stored by MC-TESTER. Then, at the analysis step, information from a pair of runs may be compared and represented in the form of tables and plots. Updates introduced in the progam up to version 1.24.3 are also documented. In particular, new configuration scripts or script to combine results from multitude of runs into single information file to be used in analysis step are explained.