Deep Learning Analysis of Deeply Virtual Exclusive Photoproduction

TL;DR

This paper introduces FemtoNet, a deep neural network that analyzes complex data from deeply virtual Compton scattering experiments, outperforming traditional methods in accuracy and scalability.

Contribution

The study presents a novel machine learning approach, FemtoNet, for analyzing deeply virtual exclusive scattering data, improving accuracy and interpretability over standard techniques.

Findings

FemtoNet achieves lower median errors in unpolarized cases.

The model better extrapolates the $t$ dependence.

It outperforms standard baseline methods.

Abstract

We present a Machine Learning based approach to the cross section and asymmetries for deeply virtual Compton scattering from an unpolarized proton target using both an unpolarized and polarized electron beam. Machine learning methods are needed to study and eventually interpret the outcome of deeply virtual exclusive experiments since these reactions are characterized by a complex final state with a larger number of kinematic variables and observables, exponentially increasing the difficulty of quantitative analyses. Our deep neural network (FemtoNet) uncovers emergent features in the data and learns an accurate approximation of the cross section that outperforms standard baselines. FemtoNet reveals that the predictions in the unpolarized case systematically show a smaller relative median error than the polarized that can be ascribed to the presence of the Bethe Heitler process. It also suggests that the $t$ dependence can be more easily extrapolated than for the other variables, namely the skewness, $\xi$ and four-momentum transfer, $Q^2$. Our approach is fully scalable and will be capable of handling larger data sets as they are released from future experiments.