Release Note - VBFNLO 2.7.0

TL;DR

VBFNLO 2.7.0 broadens NLO QCD capabilities for vector-boson fusion, diboson, and triboson production by adding QCD-induced V+2j backgrounds, W±γ via VBF, HH via VBF, and WH+jet processes, while expanding semi-leptonic decays, anomalous couplings, and BSM resonance models (two-Higgs and spin-2). It also introduces generation-summed final states, enhanced event-output controls, and substantial bug fixes across running scales, Higgs decays, and NLO calculations. The release emphasizes improved theoretical precision (reduced scale uncertainties, refined subtraction in real emission) and expanded phenomenological options for SM and beyond-SM studies, with comprehensive process-wide support and documentation. Overall, 2.7.0 enhances VBF-related predictions and flexibility for exploring Higgs, quartic gauge couplings, and exotic resonances in hadronic collisions.

Abstract

VBFNLO is a flexible parton level Monte Carlo program for the simulation of vector boson fusion (VBF), double and triple vector boson (plus jet) production as well as QCD-induced single and double vector boson production plus two jets in hadronic collisions at next-to-leading order (NLO) in the strong coupling constant. Furthermore, Higgs boson plus two jet production via gluon fusion at the one-loop level is included. This note briefly describes the main additional features and processes that have been added in the new release -- VBFNLO Version 2.7.0. At NLO QCD several new processes are available. These are $W^\pmγ$ and $HH$ production in VBF, the QCD-induced single and double vector boson plus two jets processes $W^\pm jj$, $W^\pm Zjj$, $W^\pmγjj$, same-sign $W^\pm W^\pm jj$, and the Higgs-strahlung process $W^\pm H$ (plus jet) production. Anomalous couplings are now available for all VBF, diboson and triboson (plus jet) processes including the new VBF $W^\pmγjj$ implementation, as well as in the Higgs-strahlung (plus jet) process. Semi-leptonic decay modes are supported for the following diboson, triboson and VBF processes: $VV$, $VVV$, $VVγ$ production and $VV$ production via VBF, where $V$ denotes a massive gauge boson, i.e. $W^\pm$ or $Z$. Additionally, the VBF-Higgs production process with decay into $WW$ or $ZZ$ supports semi-leptonic decays of the gauge bosons. All these semi-leptonic processes contain the possibility to include anomalous gauge boson couplings.