Documentation of TauSpinner algorithms -- program for simulating spin effects in tau-lepton production at LHC

TL;DR

TauSpinner is a computational tool that modifies and analyzes tau lepton spin effects in LHC simulations, aiding in the study of new physics and Standard Model parameters.

Contribution

This paper documents the TauSpinner algorithm, providing a unified reference for its methodology and functionalities, which were previously described in scattered publications.

Findings

Enables modification of tau spin effects without event regeneration

Reconstructs polarization and spin correlations from event kinematics

Supports analysis of tau-related phenomena in LHC data

Abstract

The tau-lepton plays an important role in the physics program at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It offers a probe in searches for New Physics and to measure parameters of the Standard Model. Spin of tau lepton is an interesting phenomenological quantity for separation of signal from background or in measuring properties of particles. A proper treatment of tau spin effects in the Monte Carlo simulations is important for understanding the detector acceptance as well as for the measurements/use of tau polarization and tau spin correlations. The TauSpinner is a tool to modify tau$spin effects in any sample. Also production matrix elements can be modified with its help. The general principle of TauSpinner algorithm rely on the kinematic of outgoing particles (or jets) only, and to average over all possible initial states accordingly to assumed parton distributions and cross-sections. Incoming on mass-shell parton four-momenta are reconstructed in approximation, but energy-momentum conservation is obeyed. Samples of events featuring tau leptons with their decay products, can be used as an input. The information on the polarization and spin correlations, and production/decay matrix elements is reconstructed from the kinematics of the tau lepton(s) (also nu_tau in case of W-mediated processes) and tau decay products (also jets). No other information is required. By calculating spin (or production/decay matrix element) weights, attributed to each event, it enables evaluation of modifications without regenerating events. Elements of program functionalities together with explanation of the use are given in Appendices. Present publication collect program documentation, previously scattered over several publiications.