Calibration of the Top-Quark Monte-Carlo Mass

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to experimentally relate the Monte-Carlo top-quark mass parameter to the theoretically defined Lagrangian mass, using a simultaneous fit approach that does not depend on prior assumptions.

Contribution

It proposes a novel simultaneous fitting method to connect Monte-Carlo and Lagrangian top-quark masses without prior assumptions, applicable to various observables.

Findings

The method enables a direct experimental calibration of $m_t^{MC}$ to $m_t$.

It is demonstrated with inclusive and differential cross section data.

The approach improves the precision of top-quark mass measurements.

Abstract

We present a method to establish experimentally the relation between the top-quark mass $m_t^{MC}$ as implemented in Monte-Carlo generators and the Lagrangian mass parameter $m_t$ in a theoretically well-defined renormalization scheme. We propose a simultaneous fit of $m_t^{MC}$ and an observable sensitive to $m_t$, which does not rely on any prior assumptions about the relation between $m_t$ and $m_t^{MC}$. The measured observable is independent of $m_t^{MC}$ and can be used subsequently for a determination of $m_t$. The analysis strategy is illustrated with examples for the extraction of $m_t$ from inclusive and differential cross sections for hadro-production of top-quarks.