Parton Distribution Function Uncertainties

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for quantifying and propagating uncertainties in parton distribution functions, enhancing the precision of predictions in high-energy physics experiments.

Contribution

It presents an optimized approach to include uncertainties in parton distribution functions as a density measure, allowing seamless incorporation of new data without compromising uncertainty treatment.

Findings

Quantitative uncertainty estimates for parton distribution functions

Method for propagating uncertainties to observables

Easy inclusion of new measurements into the analysis

Abstract

We present parton distribution functions which include a quantitative estimate of its uncertainties. The parton distribution functions are optimized with respect to deep inelastic proton data, expressing the uncertainties as a density measure over the functional space of parton distribution functions. This leads to a convenient method of propagating the parton distribution function uncertainties to new observables, now expressing the uncertainty as a density in the prediction of the observable. New measurements can easily be included in the optimized sets as added weight functions to the density measure. Using the optimized method nowhere in the analysis compromises have to be made with regard to the treatment of the uncertainties.