Calculating Pull for Non-Singlet Jets

TL;DR

This paper provides leading-order calculations of the pull vector for non-singlet jet pairs in e+e- collisions, revealing how color flow influences soft radiation patterns, especially in background processes relevant to Higgs searches.

Contribution

It introduces the first leading-order calculations of the pull vector for non-singlet jets, including a universal expression in the high-boost, small-radius limit, highlighting color structure effects.

Findings

Pull distribution depends on SU(3) quadratic Casimirs.

Calculations applicable to background jets in Higgs analyses.

Universal formula derived for high-boost, small-radius jets.

Abstract

The pull vector is a jet observable sensitive to the distribution of soft radiation controlled by the color flow in a collider event. We present calculations to leading order in the soft and collinear limits for the pull vector measured between pairs of jets that do not form a color-singlet dipole. Our calculations are presented within the context of $e^+e^-\to$ three jets events, on which pull is measured between the two subleading jets. A subset of these calculations can be re-interpreted as a bottom--anti-bottom quark jet pair in a color octet configuration, which can be a background to Higgs production at large boost. We also present a universal expression for the pull distribution in the high-boost and small jet radius limit. This distribution is controlled by color SU(3) quadratic Casimirs that arise from product representations of pairs of QCD jets.