FAQ

About HEPMDB

What is HEPMDB?

According to HEPMDB main page:

The High Energy Physics Model DataBase (HEPMDB) was created to facilitate the connection between high energy physics theory and experiment, to store and validate theoretical models, and to develop a dictionary of the model signatures which identifies the fundamental theories responsible for signals expected at the LHC.

In consequence, HEPMDB has a huge database of models and model signatures. Eventually, HEPMDB will be able to compare BSM predictions with LHC data in order to discriminate between the different theories. The database is still in development. Currently, HEPMDB gathers various Matrix Element generators and models in order to compute cross-sections and cross-check the results.

The model database can be accessed by everyone. In order to use HEPMDB's computational capabilities you will have to register first.

Getting started

How to register on HEPMDB?

To register, all you need are basic details such as name, email and affiliation. Your account will be reviewed and approved by one of our administrators. You will be notified by email once your account is approved. Registration can be done on the HEPMDB main site. As usual, all fields marked with an asterisk are mandatory. Check for further help here.

General usage

What is the Calculate section?

Once registered, you will be able to use HEPMDB Calculate section. This section allows you to use the models uploaded on HEPMDB and directly compute results using HEPMDB computers.

Which programs can I use on HEPMDB?

Currently, three different programs can be used for computation on HEPMDB: CalcHEP, WHIZARD and MadGraph. Any model developed for these programs and uploaded on the HEPMDB website will be accessible.

Why should I use HEPMDB's Calculate section?

There are many practical reasons for using the HEPMDB computing mainframe. Convenience may be the most obvious one; no installation is needed and it is simple to compare results between various matrix element generators. Also, HEPMDB has some integrated tools for plotting and analysing that are really quick to use.

Another reason is simply the efficiency; with 12 cores, HEPMDB is much faster than most local installations.

Where can I find some help for the Calculate section?

These wiki pages will provide help. Here for instance.

Becoming an author

Who's an author?

If you want to use the HEPMDB computation abilities, you will have to become an author. Authors are also granted the right to upload new models (and encouraged to do so). In the future, they will also be able to add model signatures.

How to upload a model

As soon as your account will be approved, you will be able to upload new models. This is done through the upload model page.

Further help can found here

Using the results

I can't download the results lhe file

It should be noted that it is not possible to download files bigger than 1GB from HEPMDB. Sadly, file sizes are not indicated yet. The consequence of this download limit is that you cannot combine too many lhe files into one before uploading.

Making a model for HEPMDB

How to use an SLHA input file?

If you wrote a model, it may be using an SLHA input file. On HEPMDB, there is an option for the user to upload his own SLHA file. In order to use that one, you should use the file ../models/SLHA.txt in your model. Any SLHA file that the user will upload will be renamed and relocated accordingly.