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Sensitivity of searches for new signals and its optimization

Giovanni Punzi
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Abstract

A frequentist definition of sensitivity of a search for new phenomena is discussed, that has several useful properties. It is based on completely standard concepts, is generally applicable, and has a very clear interpretation. It is particularly suitable for optimization, being independent of a-priori expectations about the presence of a signal, thus allowing the determination of a single set of cuts that is optimal both for setting limits and for making a discovery. Simple approximate formulas are given for the common problem of Poisson counts with background.

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Giovanni Punzi. 2003-12-04. Sensitivity of searches for new signals and its optimization. https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0308063

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