Alberto Accardi

Global parton distributions with nuclear and finite-Q 2 corrections

We present three new sets of next-to-leading order parton distribution functions (PDFs) determined by global fits to a wide variety of data for hard scattering processes. The analysis includes target mass and higher twist corrections needed for the description of deep inelastic scattering data at large x and low Q 2 , and nuclear corrections for deuterium targets. The PDF sets correspond to three different models for the nuclear effects, and provide a more realistic uncertainty range for the d quark PDF, in particular, compared with previous fits. We describe the PDF error sets for each choice of the nuclear corrections, and provide a user interface for utilizing the distributions.

Hadron production in deep inelastic lepton–nucleus scattering

Abstract Predictions for semi-inclusive deep inelastic lepton–nucleus scattering are presented. Both the effects of gluon radiation by the struck quark and the absorption of the produced hadron are considered. The gluon radiation covers a larger window in virtuality Q 2 because of the increased deconfinement of quarks inside nuclei. The absorption of hadrons formed inside the nucleus is described with a flavor dependent cross-section. Calculations for rescaled fragmentation functions and nuclear absorption are compared with the EMC and HERMES data for N, Cu and Kr targets with respect to the deuteron target. Predictions for Ne and Xe targets in the HERMES kinematic regime are given.

The PDF4LHC report on PDFs and LHC data: Results from Run I and preparation for Run II

The accurate determination of Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the proton is an essential ingredient of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) program. PDF uncertainties impact a wide range of processes, from Higgs boson characterization and precision Standard Model measurements to New Physics searches. A major recent development in modern PDF analyses has been to exploit the wealth of new information contained in precision measurements from the LHC Run I, as well as progress in tools and methods to include these data in PDF fits. In this report we summarize the information that PDF-sensitive measurements at the LHC have provided so far, and review the prospects for further constraining PDFs with data from the recently started Run II. As a result, this document aims to provide useful input to the LHC collaborations to prioritize their PDF-sensitive measurements at Run II, as well as a comprehensive reference for the PDF-fitting collaborations.

Uncertainties in determining parton distributions at large x

We critically examine uncertainties in parton distribution functions (PDFs) at large x arising from nuclear effects in deuterium F2 structure function data. Within a global PDF analysis, we assess the impact on the PDFs from uncertainties in the deuteron wave function at short distances and nucleon off-shell effects, from the use of relativistic kinematics, and from the use of a less restrictive parametrization of the d/u ratio. We find in particular that the d-quark and gluon PDFs vary significantly with the choice of nuclear model. We highlight the impact of these uncertainties on the determination of the neutron structure functions, and on W boson production and parton luminosity at the Tevatron and the LHC. Finally, we discuss prospects for new measurements sensitive to the d-quark and gluon distributions but insensitive to nuclear corrections.

A critical appraisal and evaluation of modern PDFs

We review the present status of the determination of parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the light of the precision requirements for the LHC in Run 2 and other future hadron colliders. We provide brief reviews of all currently available PDF sets and use them to compute cross sections for a number of benchmark processes, including Higgs boson production in gluon–gluon fusion at the LHC. We show that the differences in the predictions obtained with the various PDFs are due to particular theory assumptions made in the fits of those PDFs. We discuss PDF uncertainties in the kinematic region covered by the LHC and on averaging procedures for PDFs, such as advocated by the PDF4LHC15 sets, and provide recommendations for the usage of PDF sets for theory predictions at the LHC.

Parton Propagation and Fragmentation in QCD Matter

We review recent progress in the study of parton propagation, interaction and fragmentation in both cold and hot strongly interacting matter. Experimental highlights on high-energy hadron production in deep inelastic lepton-nucleus scattering, proton-nucleus and heavy-ion collisions, as well as Drell-Yan processes in hadron-nucleus collisions are presented. The existing theoretical frameworks for describing the in-medium interaction of energetic partons and the space-time evolution of their fragmentation into hadrons are discussed and confronted to experimental data. We conclude with a list of theoretical and experimental open issues, and a brief description of future relevant experiments and facilities.

Atomic mass dependence of hadron production in deep inelastic scattering on nuclei

Abstract Hadron production in lepton–nucleus deep inelastic scattering is studied in an absorption model. In the proposed model, the early stage of hadronization in the nuclear medium is dominated by prehadron formation and absorption, controlled by flavor-dependent formation lengths and absorption cross sections. Computations for hadron multiplicity ratios are presented and compared with the HERMES experimental data for pions, kaons, protons and antiprotons. The mass-number dependence of hadron attenuation is shown to be sensitive to the underlying hadronization dynamics. Contrary to common expectations for absorption models, a leading term proportional to A 2 / 3 is found. Deviations from the leading behavior arise at large mass-numbers and large hadron fractional momenta.

Iterative Monte Carlo analysis of spin-dependent parton distributions

We present a comprehensive new global QCD analysis of polarized inclusive deep-inelastic scattering, including the latest high-precision data on longitudinal and transverse polarization asymmetries from Jefferson Lab and elsewhere. The analysis is performed using a new iterative Monte Carlo fitting technique which generates stable fits to polarized parton distribution functions (PDFs) with statistically rigorous uncertainties. Inclusion of the Jefferson Lab data leads to a reduction in the PDF errors for the valence and sea quarks, as well as in the gluon polarization uncertainty at x ≳ 0.1. Furthermore, the study also provides the first determination of the flavor-separated twist-3 PDFs and the d2 moment of the nucleon within a global PDF analysis.

New parton distributions from large-

We report results of a new global next-to-leading order fit of parton distribution functions in which cuts on

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