arXiv subjects

Basem Kamal El-Menoufi

Publications and source records attributed to Basem Kamal El-Menoufi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Characterising hadronisation across the phase space

Leading hadronisation corrections to two-jet global event shapes amount to a shift in the corresponding perturbative distributions. It has been recently established that this shift depends significantly on the value of the considered event shape. These analyses consider perturbative configurations with only three partons emitting an ultra-soft non-perturbative gluon. These are dominant in the three-jet region. However, multiple soft and/or collinear emissions need to be considered to accurately describe event shape distributions near their Sudakov peak. In this region, non-perturbative shifts are usually computed by considering only two hard emitters. In this paper, we find that this approximation misses an important correction to the shift due to the emission of an additional soft wide-angle gluon. We then compute its contribution, and embed it in a general treatment for the shift that is valid in both the two-jet and three-jet regions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Matching Z $\to$ Hadrons at NNLO with Sector Showers

We present a detailed technical derivation of matching conditions at next-to-next-to-leading order in the sectorised VINCIA parton shower, by considering leading-colour 2-, 3- and 4-jet rates in hadronic Z-boson decays. In particular, we introduce a full subtraction-based calculation of the matching coefficient required to obtain the NLO 3-jet rate. This is achieved through a judicious choice of the counter-terms, which optimises the numerical evaluation of the subtracted double-real matrix element. We additionally give a consistent prescription for incorporating interference effects due to higher-order mixing between Born states with different flavour contents. Finally, we briefly comment on higher-order uncertainty estimates.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

A new standard for the logarithmic accuracy of parton showers

We report on a major milestone in the construction of logarithmically accurate final-state parton showers, achieving next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy for the wide class of observables known as event shapes. The key to this advance lies in the identification of the relation between critical NNLL analytic resummation ingredients and their parton-shower counterparts. Our analytic discussion is supplemented with numerical tests of the logarithmic accuracy of three shower variants for more than a dozen distinct event-shape observables in $Z \to q \bar q$ and Higgs $\to gg$ decays. The NNLL terms are phenomenologically sizeable, as illustrated in comparisons to data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Two-loop anomalous dimensions for small-$R$ jet versus hadronic fragmentation functions

We study the collinear fragmentation of highly energetic jets defined with a small jet radius. In particular, we investigate how the corresponding fragmentation functions differ from their hadronic counterpart defined in the common $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme. We find that the anomalous dimensions governing the perturbative evolution of the two fragmentation functions differ starting at the two loop order. We compute for the first time the new anomalous dimensions at two loops and confirm our predictions by comparing the inclusive small-$R$ jet spectrum against a fixed order perturbative calculation at ${\cal O}(α_s^2)$. To investigate the dependence of the anomalous dimension on the kinematic cutoff variable, we study the fragmentation functions of Cambridge jets defined with a transverse momentum cutoff as opposed to an angular cutoff $R$. We further study the evolution of the small-$R$ fragmentation function with an alternative cutoff scale, proportional to $z R$, representing the maximum possible transverse momentum of emissions within a jet. In these cases we find that the two-loop anomalous dimensions coincide with the $\overline{\rm MS}$ DGLAP ones, highlighting a correspondence between the $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme and a transverse-momentum cutoff.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

A collinear shower algorithm for NSL non-singlet fragmentation

We formulate a collinear partonic shower algorithm that achieves next-to-single-logarithmic (NSL, $α_s^n L^{n-1}$) accuracy for collinear-sensitive non-singlet fragmentation observables. This entails the development of an algorithm for nesting triple-collinear splitting functions. It also involves the inclusion of the one-loop double-collinear corrections, through a $z$-dependent NLO-accurate effective $1\to 2$ branching probability, using a formula that can be applied more generally also to future full showers with $1\to3$ splitting kernels. The specific NLO branching probability is calculated in two ways, one based on slicing, the other using a subtraction approach based on recent analytical calculations. We close with demonstrations of the shower's accuracy for non-singlet partonic fragmentation functions and the energy spectrum of small-$R$ quark jets. This work represents an important conceptual step towards general NNLL accuracy in parton showers.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Collinear fragmentation at NNLL: generating functionals, groomed correlators and angularities

Jet calculus offers a unique mathematical technique to bridge the area of QCD resummation with Monte Carlo parton showers. With the ultimate goal of constructing next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (NNLL) parton showers we study, using the language of generating functionals, the collinear fragmentation of final-state partons. In particular, we focus on the definition and calculation of the Sudakov form factor, which physically describes the no-emission probability in an ordered branching process. We review recent results for quark jets and compute the Sudakov form factor for the collinear fragmentation of gluon jets at NNLL. The NNLL corrections are encoded in a $z$ dependent two-loop anomalous dimension $B_2(z)$, with $z$ being a suitably defined longitudinal momentum fraction. This is obtained from the integration of the relevant $1\to 3$ collinear splitting kernels combined with the one-loop corrections to the $1\to 2$ counterpart. This work provides the missing ingredients to extend the methods of jet calculus in the collinear limit to NNLL and gives an important element of the next generation of NNLL parton shower algorithms. As an application we derive new NNLL results for both the fractional moments of energy-energy correlation $FC_x$ and the angularities $λ_x$ measured on mMDT/Soft-Drop ($β=0$) groomed jets.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Introduction to the PanScales framework, version 0.1

In this article, we document version 0.1 of the PanScales code for parton shower simulations. With the help of a few examples, we discuss basic usage of the code, including tests of logarithmic accuracy of parton showers. We expose some of the numerical techniques underlying the logarithmic tests and include a description of how users can implement their own showers within the framework. Some of the simpler logarithmic tests can be performed in a few minutes on a modern laptop. As an early step towards phenomenology, we also outline some aspects of a preliminary interface to Pythia, for access to its hard matrix elements and its hadronisation modules.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

QCD resummation for groomed jet observables at NNLL+NLO

We use a direct QCD approach to carry out the next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (NNLL) resummation for observables groomed with the modified mass-drop tagger (Soft Drop $β=0$). We focus on observables which are additive given an arbitrary number of soft-collinear emissions. For this class of observables, we arrange the structure of the NNLL terms into two distinct categories. The first defines a simplified inclusive tagger, whereby the NNLL collinear structure is directly related to ungroomed observables. The second defines a clustering correction which takes a particularly simple form when the Cambridge-Aachen (C/A) algorithm is used to cluster the jets. We provide, in addition to the QCD resummation of groomed jet mass, the first NNLL resummed predictions, matched to NLO, for a range of groomed jet angularities with mMDT grooming. Moreover, we also include for the first time in the same calculation, finite $z_{\mathrm{cut}}$ effects computed at NLL level alongside the small $z_{\mathrm{cut}}$ NNLL results which simultaneously improves upon both of the calculations used for groomed jet mass phenomenological studies to date. While for simplicity we focus on $e^{+}e^{-}$ collisions, the essential NNLL resummation we develop is process independent and hence with the appropriate NLO matching our results are also applicable for hadron collider phenomenology.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Interplay between perturbative and non-perturbative effects with the ARES method

We present a new semi-numerical method to compute leading hadronisation corrections to two-jet event shapes in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. The formalism we present utilises the dispersive approach, where the magnitude of power corrections is controlled by suitable moments of an effective strong coupling, but it can be adapted to other methods. We focus on observables where the interplay between perturbative and non-perturbative effects is crucial in determining the power corrections. A naive treatment of power corrections for some of these observables gives rise to an unphysical behaviour in the corresponding distributions for moderate observable values, thus considerably limiting the available range to fit the non-perturbative moments. We present a universal treatment to handle such observables, based on a suitable subtraction procedure, and compare our results to the analytic result in the case of total broadening. Finally, for the first time we present predictions for the thrust major, which cannot be handled with analytic methods.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Dissecting the collinear structure of quark splitting at NNLL

We explore the collinear limit of final-state quark splittings at order $α_s^2$. While at general NLL level, this limit is described simply by a product of leading-order $1\to 2$ DGLAP splitting functions, at the NNLL level we need to consider $1\to3$ splitting functions. Here, by performing suitable integrals of the triple-collinear splitting functions, we demonstrate how one may extract $\mathcal{B}^q_2(z)$, a differential version of the coefficient $B^q_2$ that enters the quark form factor at NNLL and governs the intensity of collinear radiation from a quark. The variable $z$ corresponds to the quark energy fraction after an initial $1 \to 2$ splitting, and our results yield effective higher-order splitting functions, which may be considered as a step towards the construction of NNLL parton showers. Further, while in the limit $z \to 1$ we recover the standard soft limit results involving the CMW coupling with scale $k_t$, the $z$ dependence we obtain also motivates the extension of the notion of a physical coupling beyond the soft limit.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Black holes seeding cosmological phase transitions

We consider a generic first-order phase transition at finite temperature and investigate to what extent a population of primordial black holes, of variable masses, can affect the rate of bubble nucleation. Using a thin-wall approximation, we construct the Euclidean configurations that describe transition at finite temperature. After the transition, the remnant black hole mass is dictated dynamically by the equations of motion. The transition exponent is computed and displays an explicit dependence on temperature. We find the configuration with the lowest Euclidean action to be static and $O(3)$ symmetric; therefore, the transition takes place via thermal excitation. The transition exponent exhibits a strong dependence on the seed mass black hole, $M_+$, being almost directly proportional. A new nucleation condition in the presence of black holes is derived and the nucleation temperature is compared to the familiar flat-space result, i.e. $S_3/T$. For an electroweak-like phase transition it is possible to enhance the nucleation rate if $M_+ \lesssim 10^{15} M_{\rm P}$. Finally, we outline the possible transition scenarios and the consequences for the power spectrum of stochastic gravitational waves produced due to the first-order phase transition.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Groomed jet mass as a direct probe of collinear parton dynamics

We study the link between parton dynamics in the collinear limit and the logarithmically enhanced terms of the groomed jet mass distribution, for jets groomed with the modified mass-drop tagger (mMDT). While the leading-logarithmic (LL) result is linked to collinear evolution with leading-order splitting kernels, here we derive the NLL structure directly from triple-collinear splitting kernels. The calculation we present is a fixed-order calculation in the triple-collinear limit, independent of resummation ingredients and methods. It therefore constitutes a powerful cross-check of the NLL results previously derived using the SCET formalism and provides much of the insight needed for resummation within the traditional QCD approach.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

What can Black Holes teach us about the IR and UV?

Combining insights from both the effective field theory of quantum gravity and black hole thermodynamics, we derive two novel consistency relations to be satisfied by any quantum theory of gravity. First, we show that a particular combination of the number of massless (light) fields in the theory must take integer values. Second, we show that, once the massless spectrum is fixed, the Wilson coefficient of the Kretschmann scalar in the low-energy effective theory is fully determined by the logarithm of a single natural number.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Near-to-planar three-jet events at NNLL accuracy

We extend the ARES method for next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic (NNLL) QCD resummations to three-jet event shapes in $e^+ e^-$ collisions in the near-to-planar limit. In particular, we define a NNLL radiator for three hard emitters, and discuss new features of NNLL corrections arising specifically in this case. As an example, we present predictions for the $D$-parameter, matched to exact NLO. After inclusion of hadronisation corrections in the dispersive approach, we compare our predictions with LEP1 data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Quantum corrections to vacuum energy sequestering (with monodromy)

Field theory models of axion monodromy have been shown to exhibit vacuum energy sequestering as an emergent phenomenon for cancelling radiative corrections to the cosmological constant. We study one loop corrections to this class of models coming from virtual axions using a heat kernel expansion. We find that the structure of the original sequestering proposals is no longer preserved at low energies. Nevertheless, the cancellation of radiative corrections to the cosmological constant remains robust, even with the new structures required by quantum corrections.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

A rapid holographic phase transition with brane-localized curvature

We study the finite-temperature properties of the Randall-Sundrum model in the presence of brane-localized curvature. At high temperature, as dictated by AdS/CFT, the theory is in a confined phase dual to the planar AdS black hole. When the radion is stabilized, à la Goldberger-Wise, a holographic first-order phase transition proceeds. The brane-localized curvature contributes to the radion kinetic energy, substantially decreasing the critical bubble energy. Contrary to previous results, the phase transition completes at much larger values of $N$, the number of degrees of freedom in the CFT. Moreover, the field value of the bulk scalar on the TeV-brane is allowed to become large, while remaining consistent with back-reaction constraints. Assisted by this fact, we find that for a wide region in the parameter space tunneling happens rather quickly, i.e. the nucleation temperature becomes of the order of the critical temperature. At zero temperature, the most important signature of brane-localized curvature is the reduction of spin-2 Kaluza-Klein graviton masses and a heavier radion.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Gravitational Radiation in Quantum Gravity

The effective field theory of quantum gravity generically predicts non-locality to be present in the effective action, which results from the low-energy propagation of gravitons and massless matter. Working to second order in gravitational curvature, we reconsider the effects of quantum gravity on the gravitational radiation emitted from a binary system. In particular, we calculate for the first time the leading order quantum gravitational correction to the classical quadrupole radiation formula which appears at second order in Newton's constant.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

The Sudakov radiator for jet observables and the soft physical coupling

We present a procedure to calculate the Sudakov radiator for a generic recursive infrared and collinear (rIRC) safe observable in two-scale problems. We give closed formulae for the radiator at next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy, which completes the general NNLL resummation for this class of observables in the {\tt ARES} method for processes with two emitters at the Born level. As a byproduct, we define a physical coupling in the soft limit, and we provide an explicit expression for its relation to the $\overline{\rm MS}$ coupling up to ${\cal O}(α_s^3)$. This physical coupling constitutes one of the ingredients for a NNLL accurate parton shower algorithm. As an application we obtain analytic NNLL results, of which several are new, for all angularities $τ_x$ defined with respect to both the thrust axis and the winner-take-all axis, and for the moments of energy-energy correlation $FC_x$ in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. For the latter observables we find that, for some values of $x$, an accurate prediction of the peak of the differential distribution requires a simultaneous resummation of the logarithmic terms originating from the two-jet limit and at the Sudakov shoulder.

hep-ph↗