Probing Parton distribution functions at large x via Drell-Yan Forward-Backward Asymmetry

TL;DR

This paper explores how the forward-backward asymmetry in high-mass Drell-Yan processes can be used to probe parton distribution functions at large x, comparing different PDF sets and updating them with simulated LHC data.

Contribution

It introduces a method to constrain large-x PDFs using Drell-Yan asymmetry measurements and updates existing PDFs with pseudo-data from high-luminosity LHC scenarios.

Findings

Different PDF sets show varying behaviors at large x.

Updated PDFs with pseudo-data improve constraints at high x.

Forward-backward asymmetry is a sensitive probe for large-x PDFs.

Abstract

The forward-backward asymmetry of the Drell-Yan process in dilepton decays at high invariant masses can be used to probe the parton distribution functions at large x. The behavior of three modern PDF sets (CT18NNLO, MSHT20, and NNPDF4.0) are compared, and updated under various scenarios via ePump using proton-proton collision pseudo-data generated at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV with 3000 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity.