Simulation of $Z$ boson $p_{T}$ spectrum at Tevatron by leading-order event generators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that leading-order event generators, when properly configured with $Z$ + 1 jet processes and suitable parton shower kinematics, can accurately simulate the $Z$ boson $p_{T}$ spectrum at Tevatron across all $p_{T}$ ranges.

Contribution

The authors introduce a new event generator using limited leading-log subtraction and optimized PS kinematics, achieving accurate $Z$ boson $p_{T}$ spectrum simulation.

Findings

Accurate reproduction of $Z$ $p_{T}$ spectrum at Tevatron.

Proper inclusion of $Z$ + 1 jet processes is crucial.

Parton shower kinematics significantly affect low-$p_{T}$ behavior.

Abstract

We show that the transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) spectrum of $Z$ boson production measured at Fermilab Tevatron can be well reproduced by leading-order event generators if $Z$ + 1 jet processes are included with a proper solution for the double-count problem and if the parton shower (PS) branch kinematics are defined appropriately. The choice of the PS evolution variable does not definitely determine the low-$p_{T}$ behavior. Our new event generator employing the limited leading-log (LLL) subtraction and a built-in leading-log PS reproduces the spectrum very well, not only in large $p_{T}$ regions but also at low $p_{T}$ down to $p_{T}$ = 0.