Calibration of the Top-Quark Monte-Carlo Mass

Abstract

We present a method to establish experimentally the relation between the top-quark mass $m_t^{MC}$ as implemented in Monte-Carlo generators and the Lagrangian mass parameter $m_t$ in a theoretically well-defined renormalization scheme. We propose a simultaneous fit of $m_t^{MC}$ and an observable sensitive to $m_t$, which does not rely on any prior assumptions about the relation between $m_t$ and $m_t^{MC}$. The measured observable is independent of $m_t^{MC}$ and can be used subsequently for a determination of $m_t$. The analysis strategy is illustrated with examples for the extraction of $m_t$ from inclusive and differential cross sections for hadro-production of top-quarks.