N³LO parton distribution functions: status and implications for precision LHC phenomenology

by Emanuele Roberto Nocera

Thursday 24 Sept 2026, 11:30 → 13:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Wick (Edificio Vecchio)

I review recent progress in the determination of proton parton distribution functions (PDFs) at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N³LO) in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). I focus on the treatment of theoretical uncertainties in PDFs, distinguishing between those associated with unknown N³LO contributions and those arising from missing higher orders beyond N³LO. I discuss the implications for precision phenomenology at the Large Hadron Collider, with particular emphasis on electroweak standard candles, Higgs boson production cross sections, and the determination of the strong coupling. The discussion draws on recent exchanges within the LHC Higgs Cross Section and Electroweak Working Groups.