arXiv subjects

Ahmad Idilbi

Publications and source records attributed to Ahmad Idilbi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

Factorization of Jet Mass Distribution in the small $R$ limit

We derive a factorization theorem for the jet mass distribution with a given $p_T^J$ for the inclusive production, where $p_T^J$ is a large jet transverse momentum. Considering the small jet radius limit $(R\ll 1)$ we factorize the scattering cross section into a partonic cross section, the fragmentation function to a jet, and the jet mass distribution function. The decoupled jet mass distributions for quark and gluon jets are well-normalized and scale invariant. And they can be extracted from the ratio of two scattering cross sections such as $dσ/(dp_T^JdM_J^2)$ and $dσ/dp_T^J$. When $M_J \sim p_T^J R$, the perturbative series expansion for the jet mass distributions works well. As the jet mass becomes small, the large logarithms of $M_J / (p_T^J R)$ appear, and they can be systematically resummed through more refined factorization theorem for the jet mass distribution.

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arXiv2016

Proper definition and evolution of generalized transverse momentum distributions

We consider one of the most fundamental sets of hadronic matrix elements, namely the generalized transverse momentum distributions (GTMDs), and argue that their existing definitions lack proper evolution properties. By exploiting the similarity of GTMDs with the much better understood transverse momentum distributions, we argue that the existing definitions of GTMDs have to include an additional dependence on soft gluon radiation in order to render them properly defined. With this, we manage to obtain the evolution kernel of all (un)polarized quark and gluon GTMDs, which turns out to be spin independent. As a byproduct, all large logarithms can be resummed up to next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic accuracy with the currently known perturbative ingredients.

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arXiv2014

Sivers Asymmetry with QCD Evolution

We analyze the Sivers asymmetry in both Drell-Yan (DY) production and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS), while considering properly defined transverse momentum dependent parton distribution and fragmentation functions and their QCD evolution. After finding a universal non-perturbative spin-independent Sudakov factor that can describe reasonably well the world's data of SIDIS, DY lepton pair and $W/Z$ production in unpolarized scatterings, we perform a global fitting of all the experimental data on the Sivers asymmetry in SIDIS from HERMES, COMPASS and Jefferson Lab. Then we make predictions for the asymmetry in DY lepton pair and $W$ boson production, which could be compared to the future experimental data in order to test the sign change of the Sivers function.

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arXiv2014

A Unified Treatment of the QCD Evolution of All (Un-)Polarized TMD Functions: Collins Function as a Study Case

By considering semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering and the (complementary) $q_T$-spectrum for Drell-Yan lepton pair production we derive the QCD evolution for all the leading-twist transverse momentum dependent distribution and fragmentation functions. We argue that all of those functions evolve with $Q^2$ following a \emph{single} evolution kernel. This kernel is independent of the underlying kinematics and it is also spin-independent. Those features hold, in impact parameter space, to all values of $b_T$. The evolution kernel presented has all of its large logarithms resummed up next-to-next-to leading logarithmic accuracy, which is the highest possible accuracy given existing perturbative calculations. As a study case we apply this kernel to investigate the evolution of Collins function, one of the ingredients that have attracted recently much attention within the phenomenological studies of spin asymmetries. Our analysis can be readily implemented to revisit previously obtained fits that involve data at different scales for other spin-dependent functions. Such improved fits are important to get better predictions --with the correct evolution kernel-- for certain upcoming experiments aiming to measure Sivers function, Collins function, transversity and other spin-dependent functions as well.

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arXiv2014

Production of Stoponium at the LHC

Although the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has not observed supersymmetric (SUSY) partners of the Standard Model particles, their existence is not ruled out yet. One recently explored scenario in which there are light SUSY partners that have evaded current bounds from the LHC is that of a light long-lived stop quark. In this paper we consider light stop pair production at the LHC when the stop mass is between 200 and 400 GeV. If the stops are long-lived they can form a bound state, stoponium, which then undergoes two-body decays to Standard Model particles. By considering the near-threshold production of such a pair through the gluon-gluon fusion process and taking into account the strong Coulombic interactions responsible for the formation of this bound state, we obtain factorization theorems for the stop pair inclusive and differential production cross sections. We also perform a resummation of large threshold logarithms up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy using well-established renormalization group equations in an effective field theory methodology. These results are used to calculate the invariant mass distributions of two photons or two Z bosons coming from the decay of the stoponium at the LHC. For our choices of SUSY model parameters, the stoponium is not detectable above Standard Model backgrounds in γγor ZZ at 8 TeV, but will be visible with 400 fb^(-1) of accumulated data if its mass is below 500 GeV when the LHC runs at 14 TeV.

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arXiv2014

QCD Evolution of the Sivers Asymmetry

We study the QCD evolution of the Sivers effect in both semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) and Drell-Yan production (DY). We pay close attention to the non-perturbative spin-independent Sudakov factor in the evolution formalism and find a universal form which can describe reasonably well the experimental data on the transverse momentum distributions in SIDIS, DY lepton pair and $W/Z$ production. With this Sudakov factor at hand, we perform a global fitting of all the experimental data on the Sivers asymmetry in SIDIS from HERMES, COMPASS and Jefferson Lab. We then make predictions for the Sivers asymmetry in DY lepton pair and $W$ production that can be compared to the future experimental measurements to test the sign change of the Sivers functions between SIDIS and DY processes and constrain the sea quark Sivers functions.

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arXiv2013

Towards the Phenomenology of TMD Distributions at NNLL

We discuss the recently proposed scheme for the evolution of Transverse Momentum Distributions using the so-called "D^R". We discuss a new method to separate perturbative and non-perturbative effects in the analysis of the evolution of Transverse Momentum Distributions. We argue that the scheme is compatible with the standard CSS resummation approach when the running of the strong coupling is taken into account properly.

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arXiv2013

Model Independent Evolution of Transverse Momentum Dependent Distribution Functions (TMDs) at NNLL

We discuss the evolution of the eight leading twist transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions, which turns out to be universal and spin independent. By using the highest order perturbatively calculable ingredients at our disposal, we perform the resummation of the large logarithms that appear in the evolution kernel of transverse momentum distributions up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithms (NNLL), thus obtaining an expression for the kernel with highly reduced model dependence. Our results can also be obtained using the standard CSS approach when a particular choice of the $b^*$ prescription is used. In this sense, and while restricted to the perturbative domain of applicability, we consider our results as a "prediction" of the correct value of $b_{\rm max}$ which is very close to $1.5 {\rm GeV}^{-1}$. We explore under which kinematical conditions the effects of the non-perturbative region are negligible, and hence the evolution of transverse momentum distributions can be applied in a model independent way. The application of the kernel is illustrated by considering the unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distribution function and the Sivers function.

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arXiv2013

On Rapidity Divergences in the Soft and Collinear Limits of QCD

We consider the definition of a transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution function (TMDPDF) and its evolution properties given a factorization theorem of Drell- Yan lepton pair production with a non-vanishing transverse momentum. We discuss rapidity divergences that exist in both limits of QCD: the soft and collinear. We argue that only when a specific combination of the soft and collinear matrix elements is formed, rapidity divergences cancel. We also argue that the soft matrix element, calculated in perturbation theory, contains only rapidity divergences and there is no genuine long-distance infra-red divergences.

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arXiv2013

Soft and Collinear Factorization and Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions

In this work we consider how a parton distribution function, with an explicit transverse momentum dependence can be properly defined in a regularization-scheme independent manner. We argue that by considering a factorized form of the transverse momentum dependent spectrum for the production of a heavy lepton pair in Drell-Yan reaction, one should first split the relevant soft function into two boost invariant contributions. When those soft contributions are added to the pure collinear contributions, well-defined hadronic matrix elements emerge, i.e., the transverse momentum dependent distributions. We also perform a comparison with Collins' definition.

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arXiv2012

Definition and Evolution of Transverse Momentum Distributions

We consider the definition of unpolarized transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions while staying on-the-light-cone. By imposing a requirement of identical treatment of two collinear sectors, our approach, compatible with a generic factorization theorem with the soft function included, is valid for all non-ultra-violet regulators (as it should), an issue which causes much confusion in the whole field. We explain how large logarithms can be resummed in a way which can be considered as an alternative to the use of Collins-Soper evolution equation. The evolution properties are also discussed and the gauge-invariance, in both classes of gauges, regular and singular, is emphasized.

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arXiv2012

Factorization Theorem For Drell-Yan At Low q_T And Transverse-Momentum Distributions On-The-Light-Cone

We derive a factorization theorem for Drell-Yan process at low q_T using effective field theory methods. In this theorem all the obtained quantities are gauge invariant and the special role of the soft function--and its subtraction thereof--is emphasized. We define transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs) which are free from light-cone singularities while all the Wilson lines are defined on-the-light-cone. We show explicitly to first order in α_s that the partonic Feynman PDF can be obtained from the newly defined partonic TMDPDF by integrating over the transverse momentum of the parton inside the hadron. We obtain a resummed expression for the TMDPDF, and hence for the cross section, in impact parameter space. The universality of the newly defined matrix elements is established perturbatively to first order in α_s. The factorization theorem is validated to first order in α_s and also the gauge invariance between Feynman and light-cone gauges.

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arXiv2011

SCET, Light-Cone Gauge and the T-Wilson Lines

Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) has been formulated since a decade now in covariant gauges. In this work we derive a modified SCET Lagrangian applicable in both classes of gauges: regular and singular ones. This extends the range of applicability of SCET. The new Lagrangian must be used to obtain factorization theorems in cases where the transverse momenta of the particles in the final states are not integrated over, such as semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan and the Higgs production cross-section at low transverse momentum. By doing so all non-perturbative matrix elements appearing in the factorized cross-sections are gauge invariant.

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arXiv2010

Singular and Regular Gauges in Soft Collinear Effective Theory: The Introduction of the New Wilson Line T

Gauge invariance in soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) is discussed in regular (covariant) and singular (light-cone) gauges. It is argued that SCET, as it stands, is not capable to define in a gauge invariant way certain non-perturbative matrix elements that are an integral part of many factorization theorems. Those matrix elements involve two quark or gluon fields separated not only in light-cone direction but also in the transverse one. This observation limits the range of applicability of SCET. To remedy this we argue that one needs to introduce a new Wilson line as part of SCET formalism, that we call T. This Wilson line depends only on the transverse component of the gluon field. As such it is a new feature to the SCET formalism and it guarantees gauge invariance of the non-perturbative matrix elements in both classes of gauges.

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arXiv2010

The T-Wilson Line

We argue that soft-collinear effective theory, as is currently formulated, lacks an ingredient which is essential for obtaining a gauge invariant definitions of certain non-perturbative matrix elements relevant for semi-inclusive high-energy processes. Those processes and the companion cross-sections are to be analyzed and measured at the Large Hadron Collider. The missing feature is a gauge link constructed only from the transverse component of the gluon field denoted by the "$T$-Wilson line"'. It is neither soft nor collinear. As such it is a new feature of the theory.

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arXiv2010

Pair Production of Color-Octet Scalars at the LHC

Heavy colored scalar particles, which exist in many models of new physics, can be pair produced at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) via gluon-gluon fusion and possibly form quarkonium-like bound states. If the scalars are also charged under the electroweak gauge group, these bound states can then decay into electroweak bosons. This yields a resonant cross section for final states such as gamma gamma that can exceed Standard Model backgrounds. This paper studies this process in the Manohar-Wise model of color-octet scalars (COS). Important threshold logarithms and final state Coulomb-like QCD interactions are resummed using effective field theory. We compute the resummed cross section for gluon-gluon fusion to COS pairs at the LHC as well as the resonant cross section for octetonium decaying to gamma gamma. The latter cross section exceeds the Standard Model di-photon cross section when the COS mass is less than 500 (350) GeV for sqrt{s} = 14 (7) TeV. Nonobservation of resonances below these energies can significantly improve existing bounds on COS masses.

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arXiv2009

Extending Soft-Collinear-Effective-Theory to describe hard jets in dense QCD media

An extension to the Soft-Collinear-Effective Theory (SCET) description of hard jets is motivated to include the leading contributions between the propagating partons within the jet with partons radiated from a dense extended medium. The resulting effective Lagrangian, containing both a leading and a power suppressed (in the hard scale $Q^2$) contribution, arises primarily from interactions between the hard collinear modes in the jet with Glauber modes from the medium. In this first attempt, the interactions between the hard jet and soft and collinear partonic modes have been ignored, in an effort to focus solely on the interactions with the Glauber modes. While the effect of such modes on vacuum cross sections are suppressed by powers of the hard scale compared to the terms from the SCET Lagrangian, such sub-leading contributions are enhanced by the extent of the medium and result in measurable corrections. The veracity of the derived Lagrangian is checked by direct comparison with known results from full QCD calculations of two physical observables: the transverse momentum broadening of hard jets in dense media and a reanalysis of the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution function (TMDPDF).

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arXiv2009

Factorization and resummation for single color-octet scalar production at the LHC

Heavy colored scalar particles appear in a variety of new physics (NP) models and could be produced at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Knowing the total production cross section is important for searching for these states and establishing bounds on their masses and couplings. Using soft-collinear effective theory, we derive a factorization theorem for the process $pp\to SX$, where $S$ is a color-octet scalar, that is applicable to any NP model provided the dominant production mechanism is gluon-gluon fusion. The factorized result for the inclusive cross section is similar to that for the Standard Model Higgs production, however, differences arise due to color exchange between initial and final states. We provide formulae for the total cross section with large (partonic) threshold logarithms resummed to next-to-leading logarithm (NLL) accuracy. The resulting $K$-factors are similar to those found in Higgs production. We apply our formalism to the Manohar-Wise model and find that the NLL cross section is roughly 2 times (3 times) as large as the leading order cross section for a color-octet scalar of mass of 500 GeV (3 TeV). A similar enhancement should appear in any NP model with color-octet scalars.

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