MiNNLO$_{\rm PS}$: Optimizing $2\to 1$ hadronic processes

TL;DR

This paper enhances the MiNNLO$_{ m PS}$ method to better combine NNLO QCD calculations with parton-shower simulations, improving accuracy and reducing uncertainties for key hadronic processes like Higgs and Drell Yan production.

Contribution

It introduces simple prescriptions to reduce differences between MiNNLO$_{ m PS}$ and fixed-order NNLO predictions, leading to more accurate and reliable simulations.

Findings

Improved agreement with fixed-order NNLO for inclusive observables

Reduced scale uncertainties in predictions

Codes released within POWHEG-BOX

Abstract

We consider the MiNNLO$_{\rm PS}$ method to consistently combine next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD calculations with parton-shower simulations. We identify the main sources of differences between MiNNLO$_{\rm PS}$ and fixed-order NNLO predictions for inclusive observables due to corrections beyond NNLO accuracy and present simple prescriptions to either reduce or remove them. Refined predictions are presented for Higgs, charged- and neutral-current Drell Yan production. The agreement with fixed-order NNLO calculations is considerably improved for inclusive observables and scale uncertainties are reduced. The codes are released within the POWHEG-BOX.