SoftKiller, a particle-level pileup removal method

TL;DR

SoftKiller is a new particle-level pileup removal method that dynamically removes soft particles, improving jet resolution and computational speed compared to existing approaches.

Contribution

It introduces a novel event-level, particle-based pileup correction method that is more efficient and effective than traditional jet-based techniques.

Findings

Improves jet resolution performance in simulations.

Nearly two orders of magnitude faster than jet-area methods.

Robust across different event conditions.

Abstract

Existing widely-used pileup removal approaches correct the momenta of individual jets. In this article we introduce an event-level, particle-based pileup correction procedure, SoftKiller. It removes the softest particles in an event, up to a transverse momentum threshold that is determined dynamically on an event-by-event basis. In simulations, this simple procedure appears to be reasonably robust and brings superior jet resolution performance compared to existing jet-based approaches. It is also nearly two orders of magnitude faster than methods based on jet areas.