Precision QCD for LHC Physics: The nCTEQ15 PDFs

Abstract: Searches for new physics at the LHC will increasingly depend on identifying deviations from precision Standard Model (SM) predictions. At the higher energy scales involved for the LHC Run 2, the heavy quarks play a more prominent role than at the Tevatron. Recent theoretical developments improve our ability to address multi-scale problems and properly incorporate heavy quark masses across the full kinematic range. These developments are incorporated into the new nCTEQ15 PDFs, and we review these developments with respect to sample Run 2 measurements, and identify areas where additional effort is required.