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Vicent Mateu

Publications and source records attributed to Vicent Mateu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

A Task Force on Strong Coupling Determinations from Event Shapes

The strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$ is a fundamental parameter of the Standard Model. Its precise determination is essential for accurately predicting, studying, and understanding processes at the Large Hadron Collider and future experiments such as the Future Circular Collider. Event shape and correlator observables measured at electron-positron colliders provide one of the cleanest environments for extracting $\alpha_s$, thanks to their sensitivity to $\alpha_s$ and the availability of high-precision data from the Large Electron-Positron Collider. More broadly, such observables provide an ideal setting to develop and test our understanding of the perturbative and non-perturbative elements of Quantum Chromodynamics, which will underpin the field's precision and discovery frontiers for decades to come. Despite these advances, significant discrepancies persist between different determinations of $\alpha_s$ from event shapes, both in the extracted central values and estimated uncertainties. This document motivates the establishment of a dedicated Task Force to coordinate a community-wide effort addressing these open questions. We report on the first two-day meeting held at CERN in November 2025, summarizing the scientific discussion and documenting the experimental analyses identified as priorities during the meeting, as well as the concrete list of tasks to be carried out by the theory community in preparation for future meetings.

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arXiv2025

Three-loop jet function for boosted top quarks

We present the calculation of the inclusive jet function for highly energetic heavy quarks at order $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$ using boosted Heavy-Quark Effective Theory (bHQET). This jet function describes the effect of collinear radiation emitted by energetic heavy quarks on observables dependent on the jet invariant mass $M$. In particular, we focus on the regime $M^2 - m^2 \ll m^2$, which is relevant for boosted top quark production at high-energy colliders in the resonance region. Our results are consistent with non-Abelian exponentiation and reproduce the known cusp and non-cusp anomalous dimensions up to three loops. We also verify that the $n_\ell^2 \alpha_s^3$ contribution, with $n_\ell$ denoting the number of light quark flavors, agrees with predictions from renormalon calculus. This calculation completes the list of ingredients required for the N$^3$LL$^\prime$ resummed (self-normalized) thrust distribution, an essential component for calibrating the top quark mass parameter in parton-shower Monte Carlo generators. It likewise contributes to the invariant-mass distribution of reconstructed top quarks, enabling precise mass determinations at future lepton colliders. Finally, we determine the relation between the pole and two short-distance jet-mass schemes at $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$ and provide an estimate of the non-logarithmic part of the four-loop jet function based on renormalon dominance.

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arXiv2025

A Precise $\alpha_s$ Determination from the R-improved QCD Static Energy

The strong coupling $\alpha_s$ is determined with high precision from fits to lattice QCD simulations on the static energy. Our theoretical setup relies on R-improving the three-loop fixed-order prediction for the static energy by removing its $u=1/2$ renormalon and summing up the associated large (infrared) logarithms which, in combination with radius-dependent renormalization scales (called profile functions) extends the validity of perturbation theory to distances up to $\sim 0.5\,$fm. Furthermore, we resum large ultrasoft logarithms to N$^3$LL accuracy using renormalization group evolution. We have checked that the standard four-loop R-evolution treats N$^4$LL and higher remnants in a non-symmetric way, hence we also account for this potential bias. Our estimate of the perturbative uncertainty is based on a random scan over the parameters specifying the profile functions and the treatment of R-evolution. We also devise a method to statistically combine into a single dataset results from independent simulations which use different lattice spacing and cover various ranges, which can be used to carry out fits in a much faster way. We explore the dependence of the extracted $\alpha_s$ value on the smallest and largest distances included in the dataset, on how R-evolution is treated, on how the fit is performed, and on the accuracy of ultrasoft resummation. From our final analysis, after evolving to the $Z$-pole we obtain $\alpha^{(n_f=5)}_s(m_Z)=0.1166\pm 0.0009$, compatible with the world average with similar incertitude.

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arXiv2025

Precision $e^+e^-$ Hemisphere Masses in the Dijet Region with Power Corrections

We derive high-precision results for the $e^+e^-$ heavy jet mass (HJM) $d \sigma/d \rho$ and dihemisphere mass (DHM) $d^2\sigma/(d s_1 d s_2)$ distributions, for $s_1\sim s_2$, in the dijet region. New results include: i) the N$^3$LL resummation for HJM of large logarithms $\ln^n(\rho)$ at small $\rho$ including the exact two-loop non-global hemisphere soft function, the 4-loop cusp anomalous dimension and the 3-loop hard and jet functions, ii) N$^3$LL results for DHM with resummation of logarithms $\ln(s_{1,2}/Q^2)$ when there is no large separation between $s_1$ and $s_2$, iii) profile functions for HJM to give results simultaneously valid in the peak and tail regions, iv) a complete two-dimensional basis of non-perturbative functions which can be used for double differential observables, that are needed for both HJM and DHM in the peak region, and v) an implementation of renormalon subtractions for large-angle soft radiation to ${\cal O}(\alpha_s^3)$ together with a resummation of the additional large $\ln(Q\rho/\Lambda_{QCD})$ logarithms. Here $Q$ is the $e^+e^-$ center-of-mass energy. Our resummation results are combined with known fixed-order ${\cal O}(\alpha_s^3)$ results and we discuss the convergence and remaining perturbative uncertainty in the cross section. We also prove that, at order $1/Q$, the first moment of the HJM distribution involves an additional non-perturbative parameter compared to the power correction that shifts the tail of the spectrum (where $1\gg \rho\gg \Lambda_{QCD}/Q$). This differs from thrust where a single non-perturbative parameter at order $1/Q$ describes both the first moment and the tail, and it disfavors models of power corrections employing a single non-perturbative parameter, such as the low-scale effective coupling model. In this paper we focus only on the dijet region, not the far-tail distribution for $\rho \gtrsim 0.2$.

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arXiv2025

A Precise Determination of $\alpha_s$ from the Heavy Jet Mass Distribution

A global fit for $\alpha_s(m_Z)$ is performed on available $e^+e^-$ data for the heavy jet mass distribution. The state-of-the-art theory prediction includes $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$ fixed-order results, N$^3$LL$^\prime$ dijet resummation, N$^2$LL Sudakov shoulder resummation, and a first-principles treatment of power corrections in the dijet region. Theoretical correlations are incorporated through a flat random-scan covariance matrix. The global fit results in $0.1148^{+ 0.0015}_{-0.0022}$, compatible with similar determinations from thrust and $C$-parameter. Dijet resummation is essential for a robust fit, as it engenders insensitivity to the fit-range lower cutoff; without resummation the fit-range sensitivity is overwhelming. In addition, we find evidence for a negative power correction in the trijet region if and only if Sudakov shoulder resummation is included.

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arXiv2024

On Determining $\alpha_s(m_Z)$ from Dijets in $e^+e^-$ Thrust

We update a previous N$^3$LL$^\prime$+${\cal O}(\alpha_s^3)$ determination of the strong coupling from a global fit to thrust data by including newly available perturbative ingredients, upgrading the renormalization scales to include a fully canonical scaling region, and implementing the log resummation in a way which ensures the integrated cross section is unaffected by the the leading $1/Q$ hadronization power corrections. Detailed discussions are provided concerning the stability of the results under variations of the fit range and the importance of summing up higher-order logarithmic terms for convergence and stability. We show that high-precision results can be achieved even when carrying out a more conservative fit by restricting the dataset to a region which is more clearly dominated by dijet events. This leads to $\alpha_s(m_Z) = 0.1136 \pm 0.0012$ with $\chi^2/{\rm dof}=0.86$, fully compatible with earlier results using a larger fit range. We also demonstrate that a number of additional effects associated to power corrections have a small impact on this fit result, including modifications to the renormalon substraction scheme for dijet power corrections and the inclusion of three-jet power correction models. The fit is also shown to provide very good agreement with data outside the fit range.

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arXiv2024

Three-loop jet function for boosted heavy quarks

We compute the inclusive jet function for boosted heavy quarks to $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$. The jet function is defined and calculated in the framework of boosted Heavy-Quark Effective Theory (bHQET). It describes the effect of radiation collimated in narrow jets arising from energetic heavy quarks on observables probing the jet invariant mass $M$ in the region where $M^2 - m^2 \ll m^2$, with $m$ the heavy quark mass. This kinematic situation is relevant e.g. in boosted top (pair) production at high-energy colliders. We have verified that our result satisfies non-Abelian exponentiation and checked that our calculation reproduces the known cusp and non-cusp anomalous dimensions of the jet function to $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$. We also confirmed that the $n_\ell^2\alpha_s^3$ contribution, where $n_\ell$ is the number of massless quark flavors, agrees with the prediction from renormalon calculus. Our computation provides the last missing piece to obtain the N$^3$LL$^\prime$ resummed (self-normalized) thrust distribution used for the calibration of the top quark mass parameter in parton-shower Monte Carlo generators. Our result also contributes to the invariant mass distribution of reconstructed top quarks at N$^3$LL$^\prime$, which can be employed for a precise top mass determination at future lepton colliders. As a by-product, we obtain the relation between the pole and short-distance jet-mass schemes at $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^3)$. Finally, we estimate the non-logarithmic contribution to the four-loop jet function based on renormalon dominance.

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arXiv2024

Determining $α_s(m_Z)$ from Thrust with Power Corrections

We update and extend a previous N$^3$LL$^\prime$+${\cal O}(α_s^3)$ strong coupling determination from thrust data. In particular, we carry out a fit with data fully restricted to the dijet region seeking to minimize the potential impact of power corrections that go beyond dijet configurations. In addition, we parametrize deviations from the dijet power correction in order to add an additional source of uncertainty in the result for $α_s(m_Z)$. We also show that the inclusion of resummation is important to achieve stability with respect to varying the fit region.

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arXiv2024

Secondary massive quarks with the Mellin-Barnes expansion

Processes involving only massless or massive quarks at tree-level get corrections from massive (lighter, heavier, or equal-mass) secondary quarks starting at two-loop order, generated by a virtual gluon splitting into a massive quark anti-quark pair. One convenient approach to compute such two-loop corrections is starting with the one-loop diagram considering the virtual gluon massive. Carrying out a dispersive integral with a suitable kernel over the gluon mass yields the desired two-loop result. On the other hand, the Mellin-Barnes representation can be used to compute the expansion of Feynman integrals in powers of a small parameter. In this article we show how to combine these two ideas to obtain the corresponding expansions for large and small secondary quark masses to arbitrarily high orders in a straightforward manner. Furthermore, the convergence radius of both expansions can be shown to overlap, being each series rapidly convergent. The advantage of our method is that the Mellin representation is obtained directly for the full matrix element from the same one-loop computation one needs in large-$β_0$ computations, therefore many existing results can be recycled. With minimal modifications, the strategy can be applied to compute the expansion of the one-loop correction coming from a massive gauge boson. We apply this method to a plethora of examples, in particular those relevant for factorized cross sections involving massless and massive jets, recovering known results and obtaining new ones. Another bonus of our approach is that, postponing the Mellin inversion, one can obtain the small- and large-mas expansions for the RG-evolved jet functions. In many cases, the series can be summed up yielding closed expressions.

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arXiv2023

Top Quark Mass Calibration for Monte Carlo Event Generators -- An Update

We generalize and update our former top quark mass calibration framework for Monte Carlo (MC) event generators based on the $e^+e^-$ hadron-level 2-jettiness $τ_2$ distribution in the resonance region for boosted $t\bar t$ production, that was used to relate the PYTHIA 8.205 top mass parameter $m_t^{\rm MC}$ to the MSR mass $m_t^{\rm MSR}(R)$ and the pole mass $m_t^{\rm pole}$. The current most precise direct top mass measurements specifically determine $m_t^{\rm MC}$. The updated framework includes the addition of the shape variables sum of jet masses $τ_s$ and modified jet mass $τ_m$, and the treatment of two more gap subtraction schemes to remove the ${\cal O}(Λ_{\rm QCD})$ renormalon related to large-angle soft radiation. These generalizations entail implementing a more versatile shape-function fit procedure and accounting for a certain type of $(m_t/Q)^2$ power corrections to achieve gap-scheme and observable independent results. The theoretical description employs boosted heavy-quark effective theory (bHQET) at next-to-next-to-logarithmic order (N$^2$LL), matched to soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) at N$^2$LL and full QCD at next-to-leading order (NLO), and includes the dominant top width effects. Furthermore, the software framework has been modernized to use standard file and event record formats. We update the top mass calibration results by applying the new framework to PYTHIA 8.205, HERWIG 7.2 and SHERPA 2.2.11. Even though the hadron-level resonance positions produced by the three generators differ significantly for the same top mass parameter $m_t^{\rm MC}$ value, the calibration shows that these differences arise from the hadronization modeling. Indeed, we find that $m_t^{\rm MC}$ agrees with $m_t^{\rm MSR}(1\,\mbox{GeV})$ within $200$ MeV for the three generators and differs from the pole mass by $350$ to $600$ MeV.

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arXiv2023

Mathematical Aspects of the Asymptotic Expansion in Contour Improved Perturbation Theory for Hadronic Tau Decays

Recently, it was demonstrated that the discrepancy between the fixed-order (FOPT) and contour-improved (CIPT) perturbative expansions for $τ$-lepton decay hadronic spectral function moments, which had been affecting the precision of $α_s$ determinations for many years, is related to the CIPT expansion being inconsistent with the standard formulation of the operator product expansion (OPE). Even though the problem can be alleviated phenomenologically for the most part by employing a renormalon-free scheme for the gluon-condensate matrix element, the principal inconsistency of CIPT remains. The CIPT expansion is special because it is not a power expansion, but represents an asymptotic expansion in a sequence of functions of the strong coupling. In this article we provide a closer look at the mathematical aspects of the asymptotic sequence of the functions the CIPT method is based on, and we expose the origin of the CIPT inconsistency as well as the reasons for its apparent good convergence at low orders. Our results are of general interest, and may in particular provide a useful tool to check for the consistency of expansion methods that are similar to CIPT.

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arXiv2023

NLO Oriented Event-Shape Distributions for Massive Quarks

In this article we compute the cross section for the process $e^+e^- \to Q\overline Q+X$, with $Q$ a heavy quark, differential in a given event shape $e$ and the angle $θ_T$ between the thrust axis and the beam direction. These observables are usually referred to as oriented event shapes, and it has been shown that the $θ_T$ dependence can be split in two structures, dubbed the unoriented and angular terms. Since the unoriented part is already known, we compute the differential and cumulative distributions in fixed-order for the angular part up to $\mathcal{O}(α_s)$. Our results show that, for the vector current, there is a non-zero $\mathcal{O}(α_s^0)$ contribution, in contrast to the axial-vector current or for massless quarks. This entails that for the vector current one should expect singular terms at $\mathcal{O}(α_s)$ as well as infrared divergences in real- and virtual-radiation diagrams that should cancel when added up. On the phenomenological side, and taking into account that electroweak factors enhance the vector current, it implies that finite bottom-mass effects are an important correction since they are not damped by a power of the strong coupling and therefore cannot be neglected in precision studies. Finally, we show that the total angular distribution for the vector current has a Sommerfeld enhancement at threshold.

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arXiv2022

Report of the Topical Group on Top quark physics and heavy flavor production for Snowmass 2021

This report summarizes the work of the Energy Frontier Topical Group on EW Physics: Heavy flavor and top quark physics (EF03) of the 2021 Community Summer Study (Snowmass). It aims to highlight the physics potential of top-quark studies and heavy-flavor production processes (bottom and charm) at the HL-LHC and possible future hadron and lepton colliders and running scenarios.

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arXiv2021

REvolver: Automated running and matching of couplings and masses in QCD

In this article we present REvolver, a C++ library for renormalization group evolution and automatic flavor matching of the QCD coupling and quark masses, as well as precise conversion between various quark mass renormalization schemes. The library systematically accounts for the renormalization group evolution of low-scale short-distance masses which depend linearly on the renormalization scale and sums logarithmic terms of high and low scales that are missed by the common logarithmic renormalization scale evolution. The library can also be accessed through Mathematica and Python interfaces and provides renormalization group evolution for complex renormalization scales as well.

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arXiv2021

Towards massless and massive event shapes in the large-$β_0$ limit

We present results for SCET and bHQET matching coefficients and jet functions in the large-$β_0$ limit. Our computations exactly predict all terms of the form $α_s^{n+1} n_f^n$ for any $n\geq 0$, and we find full agreement with the coefficients computed in the full theory up to $\mathcal{O}(α_s^4)$. We obtain all-order closed expressions for the cusp and non-cusp anomalous dimensions (which turn out to be unambiguous) as well as matrix elements (with ambiguities) in this limit, which can be easily expanded to arbitrarily high powers of $α_s$ using recursive algorithms to obtain the corresponding fixed-order coefficients. Examining the poles laying on the positive real axis of the Borel-transform variable $u$ we quantify the perturbative convergence of a series and estimate the size of non-perturbative corrections. We find a so far unknown $u=1/2$ renormalon in the bHQET hard factor $H_m$ that affects the normalization of the peak differential cross section for boosted top quark pair production. For ambiguous series the so-called Borel sum is defined with the principal value prescription. Furthermore, one can assign an ambiguity based on the arbitrariness of avoiding the poles by contour deformation into the positive or negative imaginary half-plane. Finally, we compute the relation between the pole mass and four low-scale short distance masses in the large-$β_0$ approximation (MSR, RS and two versions of the jet mass), work out their $μ$- and $R$-evolution in this limit, and study how their implementation improves the convergence of the position-space bHQET jet function, whose three-loop coefficient in full QCD is numerically estimated.

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arXiv2021

Small-momentum expansion of heavy-quark correlators in the large-$β_0$ limit and $α_s$ extractions

We calculate the small-momentum expansion of vector, axial-vector, scalar, and pseudo-scalar heavy-quark current correlators in the large-$β_0$ limit of QCD, extending the analysis of Grozin and Sturm beyond the vector current. Our results are used to study the higher-order behaviour of dimensionless ratios of vector and pseudo-scalar moments used for the precise extraction of the strong coupling, $α_s$, from relativistic quarkonium sum rules and lattice data, respectively. We show that these ratios benefit from a partial cancellation of the leading renormalon singularities. Our results can guide the design of combinations of moments with improved perturbative behaviour.

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arXiv2021

Boosted Top Quarks in the Peak Region with N$^3$LL Resummation

We present results for the 2-jettiness differential distribution for boosted top quark pairs produced in $e^+e^-$ collisions in the peak region accounting for QCD large-logarithm resummation at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (N$^3$LL) order and fixed-order corrections to matrix elements at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) calculated in the framework of soft-collinear effective theory and boosted heavy quark effective theory. Electroweak and finite-width effects are included at leading order. We study the perturbative convergence of the cross section in the pole and MSR mass schemes, with and without soft gap subtractions. We find that there is a partial cancellation between the pole mass and soft function renormalons. When renormalon subtractions concerning the top mass and the soft function are implemented, the perturbative uncertainties are, however, systematically smaller and an improvement in the stability of the peak position is observed. We find that the top MSR mass may be determined with perturbative uncertainties well below $100$\,MeV from the peak position of the 2-jettiness distribution. This result has important applications for Monte Carlo top quark mass calibrations.

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