Hadronization systematics and top mass reconstruction

TL;DR

This paper examines the systematic uncertainties in top quark mass measurements caused by hadronization effects, focusing on bottom-quark fragmentation and the relation between measured and theoretical mass definitions, using Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of hadronization systematics in top mass reconstruction and explores the impact of bottom-quark fragmentation and the mass definition through novel Monte Carlo studies.

Findings

Bottom-quark fragmentation significantly affects top mass reconstruction.

The relation between measured mass and theoretical mass is complex and under investigation.

Monte Carlo simulations of top-flavored hadrons provide insights into hadronization uncertainties.

Abstract

I discuss a few issues related to the systematic error on the top mass measurement at hadron colliders, due to hadronization effects. Special care is taken about the impact of bottom-quark fragmentation in top decays, especially on the reconstruction relying on final states with leptons and J/psi in the dilepton channel. I also debate the relation between the measured mass and its theoretical definition, and report on work in progress, based on the Monte Carlo simulation of fictitious top-flavoured hadrons, which may shed light on this issue and on the hadronization systematics.