New parton distribution functions from a global analysis of quantum chromodynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces new parton distribution functions (PDFs) derived from a comprehensive global analysis of quantum chromodynamics, incorporating recent LHC data and improved parametrizations, to enhance predictions of high-energy collider processes.

Contribution

The paper presents updated PDFs at NNLO with flexible parametrizations and includes new LHC data, improving the accuracy of predictions for collider experiments.

Findings

New PDFs at NNLO with better flavor fit.

Predictions for Higgs production at 13 TeV.

Availability of PDFs with various $\\alpha_s$ and flavor schemes.

Abstract

We present new parton distribution functions (PDFs) up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) from the CTEQ-TEA global analysis of quantum chromodynamics. These differ from previous CT PDFs in several respects, including the use of data from LHC experiments and the new D0 charged lepton rapidity asymmetry data, as well as the use of more flexible parametrization of PDFs that, in particular, allows a better fit to different combinations of quark flavors. Predictions for important LHC processes, especially Higgs boson production at 13 TeV, are presented. These CT14 PDFs include a central set and error sets in the Hessian representation. For completeness, we also present the CT14 PDFs determined at the leading order (LO) and the next-to-leading order (NLO) in QCD. Besides these general-purpose PDF sets, we provide a series of (N)NLO sets with various $\alpha_s$ values and additional sets in general-mass variable flavor number (GM-VFN) schemes, to deal with heavy partons, with up to 3, 4, and 6 active flavors.