arXiv subjects

Pia Zurita

Publications and source records attributed to Pia Zurita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Environmental sustainability in basic research: a perspective from HECAP+

The climate crisis and the degradation of the world's ecosystems require humanity to take immediate action. The international scientific community has a responsibility to limit the negative environmental impacts of basic research. The HECAP+ communities (High Energy Physics, Cosmology, Astroparticle Physics, and Hadron and Nuclear Physics) make use of common and similar experimental infrastructure, such as accelerators and observatories, and rely similarly on the processing of big data. Our communities therefore face similar challenges to improving the sustainability of our research. This document aims to reflect on the environmental impacts of our work practices and research infrastructure, to highlight best practice, to make recommendations for positive changes, and to identify the opportunities and challenges that such changes present for wider aspects of social responsibility.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2026

Towards new D meson fragmentation functions

The Heavy Meson (Hymn) collaboration presents a new extraction of D meson fragmentation functions using experimental data from LEP and LHC. We focus particularly on kinematical regimes where perturbative QCD should be safely applicable to avoid contamination from higher-twist effects which could lead to an apparent process dependence of fragmentation functions. We account for the initial-state radiation and, as a novel ingredient, consider the prompt and non-prompt contributions separately. The analysis is carried out at next-to-leading order accuracy including uncertainty estimation based on Monte-Carlo replica technique. We disucss the exemplary case of $\mathrm{D}^0$ here and defer the results for $\mathrm{D}^\pm$ and $\mathrm{D}^{*,\pm}$ to a forthcoming publication.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Determination of unpolarized TMD distributions from the fit of Drell-Yan and SIDIS data at N$^4$LL

We present a fit of the transverse momentum spectrum for Drell-Yan and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering data, based on transverse momentum dependent (TMD) factorization at N$^4$LL accuracy. Our analysis shows good agreement with the data and confirms the findings of previous studies. Based on this, we extract the unpolarized TMD parton distribution functions, the TMD fragmentation functions, and the Collins-Soper kernel. Compared to earlier works, our study incorporates several improvements, including large-$x$ resummation, flavor and fragmentation function dependence, among others. Additionally, we supplement our extraction with an analysis of the transverse momentum moments of the extracted distributions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Using analytic models to describe effective PDFs

Parton distribution functions play a pivotal role in hadron collider phenomenology. They are non-perturbative quantities extracted from fits to available data, and their scale dependence is dictated by the DGLAP evolution equations. In this article, we discuss machine-assisted strategies to efficiently compute PDFs directly incorporating the scale evolution without the need of separately solving DGLAP equations. Analytical approximations to the PDFs as a function of $x$ and $Q^2$, including up to next-to-leading order effects in Quantum Chromodynamics, are obtained. The methodology is tested by reproducing the $\texttt{HERAPDF2.0}$ set and implementing the analytical expressions in benchmarking codes. It is found that the computational cost is reduced while the precision of the simulations stays well under control.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Extraction of unpolarized transverse momentum distributions from fit of Drell-Yan data at N$^4$LL

We present the extraction of unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distributions functions (TMDPDFs) and Collins-Soper kernel from the fit of Drell-Yan and weak-vector boson production data. The TMDPDF are parameterized, as commonly done, using their (large transverse momentum) asymptotic matching to PDF. The analysis is done at the next-to-next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithmic accuracy (N$^4$LL) (performed only approximately because PDF evolution is known so far at next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO)). The non-perturbative model used for TMDPDF is flavor dependent to reduce the colllinear PDF bias. The estimation of uncertainties is done with the replica method and, for the first time, it includes the propagation of uncertainties due to the collinear distributions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Precision studies for the partonic kinematics calculation through Machine Learning

High Energy collider experiments are moving to the highest precision frontier quickly. The predictions of observables are based on the factorization formula which helps to connect small to large distances. These predictions can be contrasted with experimental measurements and the success of this phenomenological approach is based on the correct description of nature. The application of the method to proton-proton colliders brings new challenges due to the proton structure and the detectors efficiency on reconstructing hadrons. Furthermore, since the non-perturbative distribution functions takes an important role to describe the experimental distributions, the presence of them makes the information of the partons diluted. At Leading Order (LO) in perturbative calculations, the momentum fractions involved in hard scattering processes are known exactly in terms of kinematical variables of initial and final states hadrons. However, at Next-to-Leading Order (NLO) and beyond, a closed analytical formula is not available. Furthermore, from the pure theoretical calculation, the exact definition of the momentum fraction is very challenging. In this work, we report a methodology based on Machine Learning techniques for the extraction of momentum fractions for $p+p\toπ^++γ$ using a Monte Carlo simulation including quantum corrections up to Next-to-Leading Order in Quantum Chromodynamics and Leading Order in Quantum Electrodymics. Our findings point towards a methodology to find the fundamental properties of the internal structure of hadrons because the reconstructed momentum fractions deeply relate our perturbative models with experimental measurements.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Reconstructing parton collisions with machine learning techniques

Having access to the parton-level kinematics is important for understanding the internal dynamics of particle collisions. Here, we present new results aiming to an efficient reconstruction of parton collisions using machine-learning techniques. By simulating the collider events, we related experimentally-accessible quantities with the momentum fractions of the involved partons. We used photon-hadron production to exploit the cleanliness of the photon signal, including up to NLO QCD-QED corrections. Neural networks led to an outstanding reconstruction efficiency, suggesting a powerful strategy for unveiling the behaviour of the fundamental bricks of matter in high-energy collisions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

PDF bias and flavor dependence in TMD distributions

Transverse momentum dependent (TMD) distributions match collinear parton density functions (PDF) in the limit of small transverse distances, which is accounted for by global extractions of TMD distributions. We study the influence of the collinear PDF value and uncertainties on the determination of unpolarized TMD distributions and the description of Drell-Yan (DY) and Z-boson production measurements at low transverse momenta. We take into account, for the first time, flavor-dependent non-perturbative TMD profiles. We carry out a Bayesian analysis to incorporate the propagation of PDF uncertainties into TMD extractions. We find that collinear PDF uncertainties and non-perturbative TMD flavor dependence are both essential to obtain reliable TMD determinations, and should be included in future global analyses.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Reconstructing partonic kinematics at colliders with Machine Learning

In the context of high-energy physics, a reliable description of the parton-level kinematics plays a crucial role for understanding the internal structure of hadrons and improving the precision of the calculations. Here, we study the production of one hadron and a direct photon, including up to Next-to-Leading Order Quantum Chromodynamics and Leading-Order Quantum Electrodynamics corrections. Using a code based on Monte-Carlo integration, we simulate the collisions and analyze the events to determine the correlations among measurable and partonic quantities. Then, we use these results to feed three different Machine Learning algorithms that allow us to find the momentum fractions of the partons involved in the process, in terms of suitable combinations of the final state momenta. Our results are compatible with previous findings and suggest a powerful application of Machine-Learning to model high-energy collisions at the partonic-level with high-precision.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Structure Functions and Parton Densities: a Session Summary

Studies of fragmentation and parton density functions are a core component of researchin high energy particle and nuclear physics. These quantities are inherently interestingas a probe of the quantum nature of the strong force and are also essential ingredients toadditional studies in high energy scattering experiments. These proceedings provide anoverview of the state of the art in this area, as presented at the Deep-Inelastic ScatteringConference in the Spring of 2021.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Can we fit our nuclear PDFs with the high-$x$ CLAS data?

Nuclear parton distribution functions (nuclear PDFs) are non-perturbative objects that encode the partonic behaviour of bound nucleons. To avoid potential higher-twist contributions, the data probing the high-$x$ end of nuclear PDFs are sometimes left out from the global extractions despite their potential to constrain the fit parameters. In the present work we focus on the kinematic corner covered by the new high-$x$ data measured by the CLAS/JLab collaboration. By using the Hessian re-weighting technique, we are able to quantitatively test the compatibility of these data with globally analyzed nuclear PDFs and explore the expected impact on the valence-quark distributions at high $x$. We find that the data are in a good agreement with the EPPS16 and nCTEQ15 nuclear PDFs whereas they disagree with TuJu19. The implications on flavour separation, higher-twist contributions and models of EMC effect are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

QCD factorization and universality of jet cross sections in heavy-ion collisions

We review a recently proposed phenomenological framework to establish the notions of QCD factorization and universality of jet cross sections in the heavy-ion environment. First results of a global analysis of the nuclear modification factor of inclusive jets are presented where we extract medium modified jet functions using a Monte Carlo sampling approach. We observe that gluon jets are significantly more suppressed than quark jets. In addition, we study the jet radius dependence of the inclusive jet cross section in heavy-ion collisions and comment on a recent measurement from CMS. By considering for example jet substructure observables it will be possible to test the universality of the extracted medium jet functions. We thus expect that the presented results will eventually allow for extractions of medium properties with a reduced model bias.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Factorization of jet cross sections in heavy-ion collisions

We propose a new phenomenological approach to establish QCD factorization of jet cross sections in the heavy-ion environment. Starting from a factorization formalism in proton-proton collisions, we introduce medium modified jet functions to capture the leading interaction of jets with the hot and dense QCD medium. A global analysis using a Monte Carlo sampling approach is performed in order to reliably determine the new jet functions from the nuclear modification factor of inclusive jets at the LHC. We find that gluon jets are significantly more suppressed due to the presence of the medium than quark jets. In addition, we observe that the jet radius dependence is directly related to the relative suppression of quark and gluon jets. Our approach may help to improve the extraction of medium properties from data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Recent progress in Nuclear Parton Distributions

The determination of the parton distribution functions (PDFs) is crucial for a complete understanding of the protons and neutrons that make most of the visible matter in the universe. Years of dedicated studies have yielded a quite precise knowledge of the behavior of partons moving collinearly within a proton. However Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) experiments off nuclei have shown a non-trivial difference with respect to DIS in protons, hinting that the partons in a nuclear medium do not behave the same way as in a free proton. In this work we will discuss the latest results in nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs) and how data from planned future experiments can help broaden our understanding of the nPDFs.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

In depth analysis of the combined HERA data in the dipole models with and without saturation

We present an updated impact parameter dependent saturation model (IPsat) determined trough a fit to the combined HERA I and I+II reduced cross section data. The same HERA data are used to fit the linearized (IPnonsat) version of the applied dipole amplitude, which makes it possible to estimate the magnitude of the saturation effects in various experiments. We find that both parametrizations provide comparable descriptions of the considered data when an effective confinement scale dynamics is incorporated with quark masses. Moreover, it is possible to consistently determine the light and charm quark masses. The role of potentially non-perturbatively large dipoles is examined in detail, with the result that, especially in case of the structure function $F_2$, their contribution is numerically significant. Potential to discriminate between the two models in future $e+p$ and $e+A$ experiments is also illustrated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Nuclear Structure Functions at a Future Electron-Ion Collider

The quantitative knowledge of heavy nuclei's partonic structure is currently limited to rather large values of momentum fraction $x$ -- robust experimental constraints below $x \sim 10^{-2}$ at low resolution scale $Q^2$ are particularly scarce. This is in sharp contrast to the free proton's structure which has been probed in deep inelastic scattering (DIS) measurements down to $x \sim 10^{-5}$ at perturbative resolution scales. The construction of an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) with a possibility to operate with a wide variety of nuclei, will allow one to explore the low-$x$ region in much greater detail. In the present paper we simulate the extraction of the nuclear structure functions from measurements of inclusive and charm reduced cross sections at an EIC. The potential constraints are studied by analyzing simulated data directly in a next-to-leading order global fit of nuclear parton distribution functions based on the recent EPPS16 analysis. A special emphasis is placed on studying the impact an EIC would have on extracting the nuclear gluon PDF, the partonic component most prone to non-linear effects at low $Q^2$. In comparison to the current knowledge, we find that the gluon PDF can be measured at an EIC with significantly reduced uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Extracting $\hat{q}$ in event-by-event hydrodynamics and the centrality/energy puzzle

In our analysis, we combine event-by-event hydrodynamics, within the EKRT formulation, with jet quenching -ASW Quenching Weights- to obtain high-$p_T$ $R_{\rm AA}$ for charged particles at RHIC and LHC energies for different centralities. By defining a $K$-factor that quantifies the departure of $\hat{q}$ from an ideal estimate, $K = \hat{q}/(2ε^{3/4})$, we fit the single-inclusive experimental data for charged particles. This $K$-factor is larger at RHIC than at the LHC but, surprisingly, it is almost independent of the centrality of the collision.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

Extracting $\hat{q}$ from single inclusive data at RHIC and at the LHC for different centralities: a new puzzle?

We present here an extraction of the jet transport coefficient, $\hat{q}$, using RHIC and LHC single-inclusive high-$p_T$ data for different centralities. We fit a $K$-factor that determines the deviation of this coefficient from an ideal estimate, $K \equiv \hat{q}/(2ε^{3/4})$, where $ε$ is given by hydrodynamic simulations. As obtained already in previous studies, this $K$-factor is found to be larger at RHIC than at the LHC. However it is, unexpectedly, basically no-dependent on the centrality of the collision. Taken at face value this result, the $K$-factor would not depend on local properties of the QGP as temperature, but on global collision variables such as the center of mass energy.

nucl-th↗