Systematic uncertainties from higher-twist corrections in DIS at large x

TL;DR

This paper examines how higher-twist corrections in deep inelastic scattering data influence the extraction of parton distribution functions, emphasizing the importance of isospin-dependent corrections to reduce biases in large-x analyses.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic study of higher-twist correction implementations and their impact on nucleon structure functions and PDFs in global QCD analyses.

Findings

Isospin-dependent higher-twist corrections are crucial for accurate PDF extraction.

Neglecting these corrections can lead to biases in the d-quark PDF and neutron structure functions.

Proper modeling reduces systematic uncertainties in large-x DIS data analysis.

Abstract

We investigate the systematic uncertainties and potential biases arising from the inclusion of large-$x$ corrections to proton and deuteron deep inelastic scattering (DIS) data in global quantum chromodynamics (QCD) analyses. Using the CTEQ-JLab framework, we examine various approaches to implementing higher-twist corrections in nucleon structure functions and off-shell PDF modifications in deuteron targets. We analyze how these components interact and influence the determination of the $d$-quark PDF and the neutron structure function at large $x$. We find that it is very important to consider isospin-dependent higher-twist corrections in order to minimize implementation biases in the extracted quantities.