A POWHEG generator for di-jet production in polarized proton-proton collisions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new Monte-Carlo generator based on POWHEG for simulating di-jet production in polarized proton-proton collisions at NLO in QCD, aiding the spin physics program at RHIC.

Contribution

The paper develops and implements a POWHEG-based Monte-Carlo generator specifically for polarized di-jet production, enhancing simulation accuracy and experimental analysis.

Findings

Parton-shower effects are generally small but improve data agreement in some regions.

The generator provides a tool for more precise spin physics measurements at RHIC.

Critical assessment of experimental selection criteria in light of perturbative stability.

Abstract

We present a new Monte-Carlo generator for the simulation of di-jet production in polarized proton-proton collisions at the next-to-leading order in QCD matched to parton showers using the framework of the POWHEG BOX. With this program we compute a variety of observables of immediate relevance for the spin program of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. While parton-shower effects are generally small, we find that in some search regions their inclusion improves agreement of predictions with data. Moreover, we provide a critical assessment of selection criteria applied in experiment in the light of perturbative stability.