MATRIX HAWAII: PineAPPL interpolation grids with MATRIX

TL;DR

This paper introduces an interface between PineAPPL and Matrix that enables the creation of NNLO QCD and NLO EW differential cross section interpolation grids, facilitating precise predictions and PDF analyses.

Contribution

It presents the first publicly available tool for NNLO QCD interpolation grids across multiple processes, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in theoretical predictions.

Findings

First NNLO QCD interpolation grids for various processes

Enables rapid predictions with arbitrary PDFs and uncertainties

Supports precise global PDF analyses and future higher-order fits

Abstract

We present an interface between PineAPPL and Matrix, which allows fully differential cross sections to be calculated in the form of interpolation grids, accurate at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD and next-to-leading order in electroweak (EW) theory. This interface is the first publicly available tool to calculate interpolation grids at NNLO QCD accuracy for a wide set of processes. Interpolation grids provide the functionality to compute predictions for arbitrary parton distribution functions (PDFs) as well as PDF uncertainties without the need to repeat the actual calculation. Another important application of the these grids is to perform global analyses of PDFs using exact NNLO calculations instead of $K$-factors, which have several drawbacks. This exact treatment of NNLO corrections is also an important prerequisite for fitting PDFs at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order level with reliable uncertainties. The new version of the Matrix code interfaced to PineAPPL, as well as the grids produced for this publication, are available on the Matrix website and on PloughShare, respectively.