PYTHIA 8 underlying event tune For RHIC energies

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new PYTHIA 8 tune optimized for RHIC energies, improving data description for various observables and guiding future tuning efforts at lower energies and different kinematic regions.

Contribution

A novel PYTHIA 8 underlying event tune specifically calibrated for RHIC energies, enhancing agreement with experimental data compared to the default Monash tune.

Findings

Significant improvement over default PYTHIA 8 in describing RHIC data

The new tune performs well at mid-rapidity but less so at forward rapidity

Guidance for future tuning at lower energies and different kinematic regimes

Abstract

We report an underlying event tune for the PYTHIA 8 Monte Carlo event generator that is applicable for hadron collisions primarily at $\sqrt{s}$ ranges available at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). We compare our new PYTHIA 8 tuned predictions to mid-rapidity inclusive $\pi^{\pm}$ spectra, jet sub-structure, Drell-Yan production, and underlying event measurements from RHIC and the Tevatron, as well as underlying event data from the Large Hadron Collider. With respect to the default PYTHIA 8 Monash Tune, the new `Detroit' tune shows significant improvements in the description of the experimental data. Additionally, we explore the validity of PYTHIA 8 predictions for forward rapidity $\pi$ in $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV collisions, where neither tune is able to sufficiently describe the data. We advocate for the new tune to be used for PYTHIA 8 studies at current and future RHIC experiments, and discuss future tuning exercises at lower center-of-mass energies, where forward/backward kinematics are essential at the upcoming Electron-Ion collider.