New Angle on the Parton Distribution Functions: Self-Organizing Maps
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 (United States)
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400714, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4714 (United States)
Neural network (NN) algorithms have been recently applied to construct Parton Distribution Function (PDF) parametrizations, providing an alternative to standard global fitting procedures. Here we explore a novel technique using Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs). SOMs are a class of clustering algorithms based on competitive learning among spatially-ordered neurons. We train our SOMs with stochastically generated PDF samples. On every optimization iteration the PDFs are clustered on the SOM according to a user-defined feature and the most promising candidates are used as a seed for the subsequent iteration using the topology of the map to guide the PDF generating process. Our goal is a fitting procedure that, at variance with the standard neural network approaches, will allow for an increased control of the systematic bias by enabling user interaction in the various stages of the process.
- OSTI ID:
- 21316913
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1149, Issue 1; Conference: 18. international spin physics symposium, Charlottesville, VA (United States), 6-11 Oct 2008; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3215649; (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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