Vetoed jet clustering: The mass-jump algorithm

Abstract

A new class of jet clustering algorithms is introduced. A criterion inspired by successful mass-drop taggers is applied that prevents the recombination of two hard prongs if their combined jet mass is substantially larger than the masses of the separate prongs. This "mass jump" veto effectively results in jets with variable radii in dense environments. Differences to existing methods are investigated. It is shown for boosted top quarks that the new algorithm has beneficial properties which can lead to improved tagging purity.