New CTEQ global analysis of quantum chromodynamics with high-precision data from the LHC

TL;DR

This paper presents new high-precision parton distribution functions (PDFs) derived from extensive LHC and HERA data, improving the understanding of proton structure at NLO and NNLO levels.

Contribution

It introduces the CT18 PDFs incorporating recent LHC measurements, with advanced uncertainty quantification and alternative sets to address data tensions.

Findings

CT18 PDFs provide improved proton structure insights.

Inclusion of new LHC data enhances PDF accuracy.

Theoretical predictions for LHC processes are refined.

Abstract

We present the new parton distribution functions (PDFs) from the CTEQ-TEA collaboration, obtained using a wide variety of high-precision Large Hadron Collider (LHC) data, in addition to the combined HERA I+II deep-inelastic scattering data set, along with the data sets present in the CT14 global QCD analysis. New LHC measurements in single-inclusive jet production with the full rapidity coverage, as well as production of Drell-Yan pairs, top-quark pairs, and high-$p_T$ $Z$ bosons, are included to achieve the greatest sensitivity to the PDFs. The parton distributions are determined at NLO and NNLO, with each of these PDFs accompanied by error sets determined using the Hessian method. Fast PDF survey techniques, based on the Hessian representation and the Lagrange Multiplier method, are used to quantify the preference of each data set to quantities such as $\alpha_s(m_Z)$, and the gluon and strange quark distributions. We designate the main resulting PDF set as CT18. The ATLAS 7 TeV precision $W/Z$ data are not included in CT18, due to their tension with other data sets in the global fit. Alternate PDF sets are generated including the ATLAS precision 7 TeV $W/Z$ data (CT18A), a new scale choice for low-$x$ DIS data (CT18X), or all of the above with a slightly higher choice for the charm mass (CT18Z). Theoretical calculations of standard candle cross sections at the LHC (such as the $gg$ fusion Higgs boson cross section) are presented.