SMU Physics Department Speaker Series - Pavel Nadolsky (SMU)

ABSTRACT: An overwhelming number of theoretical predictions for hadron colliders requires parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the proton.Understanding of PDFs beyond the current level is critical for studies of the Higgs mechanism and new physics searches in the high-luminosity runs of the Large Hadron Collider. The ongoing revolution in computations of perturbative QCD demands comparably accurate nonperturbative PDFs. Determination of PDFs from the data combines continued advancements in quantum field theory, experimental measurements, and data science/machine learning. On the example of recent PDFs by the CTEQ-TEA (CT) and PDF4LHC groups, I review the progress in determination of PDFs and physics issues arising in their numerous applications.