The NNPDF1.2 parton set: implications for the LHC

TL;DR

The paper analyzes the NNPDF1.2 parton distribution functions, focusing on their implications for LHC phenomenology, especially regarding strange quark content, electroweak processes, and top quark production.

Contribution

It introduces the NNPDF1.2 set with a detailed uncertainty analysis of strange PDFs and explores its impact on LHC processes and potential constraints from associated W-charm production.

Findings

Uncertainty in strange PDFs affects electroweak boson production cross-sections.

Comparison of partonic fluxes shows differences among PDF sets.

Associated W-charm production can constrain proton strangeness.

Abstract

Recently a new set of Parton Distribution Functions (NNPDF1.2) has been produced and released by the NNPDF Collaboration. The inclusion of dimuon data in the analysis allows a determination of the strange content of the proton with faithful uncertainty estimation together with a precision determination of electroweak parameters. In this contribution, we discuss some of the implications of the NNPDF1.2 set, and in particular of its uncertainty determination of the strange PDFs, for LHC phenomenology. First of all, we study the impact on the electroweak boson production cross-section, with special attention to the Z/W ratio. Then we revisit the top pair production cross-section, and perform a comparison of partonic fluxes between various PDF sets. Finally, we discuss the potential of using associated production of W with a charm quark at the Tevatron and the LHC to constrain the proton strangeness.