Impact of future HERA data on the determination of proton parton distribution functions using the ZEUS QCD fit

TL;DR

This paper assesses how future high-luminosity HERA data and measurements of the longitudinal structure function could refine the uncertainties in proton parton distribution functions, especially the gluon distribution.

Contribution

It evaluates the potential impact of upcoming HERA data and FL measurements on reducing uncertainties in proton PDFs using the ZEUS QCD fit.

Findings

Future HERA data can significantly reduce PDF uncertainties.

Measurement of FL can improve gluon distribution accuracy.

Enhanced data coverage will refine proton structure understanding.

Abstract

The high precision and large kinematic coverage of the data from the HERA-I running period (1994-2000) have already allowed precise extractions of proton parton distribution functions (PDFs). The HERA-II running program is now underway and is expected to provide a substantial increase in the luminosity collected at HERA. In this paper, a study is presented which investigates the potential impact of future data from HERA on the proton PDF uncertainties, within the currently planned running scenario. In addition, the effect of a possible future measurement of the longitudinal structure function, FL, on the gluon distribution is investigated.