Project description
Reducing the theoretical uncertainty of the strong coupling constant
While the standard model represents the leading framework for understanding subatomic physics, the strong coupling constant, with an average uncertainty of 0.8 %, is the least precise fundamental parameter. This presents a significant challenge for future high-precision collider studies, especially considering the anticipated high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the THAMES project seeks to reduce the scale of uncertainty in theoretical calculations, focusing on non-perturbative corrections associated with hadronisation in event shapes. To do so, it will leverage recent hadronisation event-shape data within the gluer model and compare its predictions with hadronisation models produced by Monte Carlo event generators.
Objective
The Standard Model of particle physics is our most comprehensive framework for describing the subatomic world. Among its fundamental parameters, the strong coupling constant is the least precisely known gauge coupling, with an uncertainty of about 0.8%.
The limited knowledge of the strong coupling poses a major obstacle to the current and future precision program of collider physics, particularly in view of the upcoming high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Since the strong coupling enters every experimental measurement and theoretical prediction at the LHC, our unsatisfactory knowledge represents a bottleneck in the quest for precision.
One of the most established environments for the extraction of the strong coupling is given by event shapes in electron-positron collisions. However, event shapes are affected by significant non-perturbative corrections associated with hadronisation, for which no solid theoretical understanding is available. Hadronisation represents the most debated topic in strong coupling determinations from event shapes, with some research groups observing a tension of about three standard deviations from the current world average.
In this project, I will deliver the most advanced fit of the strong coupling constant to date from event-shape data within the gluer model, a framework for the description of hadronisation where recent results have opened the path towards a deeper understanding of its analytic structure. I will also explore the connections between predictions in the gluer model and hadronisation models implemented in Monte Carlo event generators, the most widely used tools to simulate and analyse particle collisions.
The outcomes of this project are crucial not only to fully exploit the potential of the LHC and its high-luminosity phase, but also for possible future facilities like the FCC-ee, where the ambitious per-mille accuracy target will set a new standard for theoretical predictions.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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1211 GENEVE 23
Switzerland
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