DELPHES 3: a modular framework for fast simulation of a generic collider experiment

TLDR

Delphes is a fast‑simulation framework not intended for advanced detector studies but flexible enough to adapt from hadron to electron‑positron colliders. Delphes 3.0 is presented as a fast‑simulation tool that enables multipurpose detector simulation for phenomenological studies. The simulation propagates tracks in a magnetic field, models electromagnetic and hadron calorimeters and a muon system, then reconstructs physics objects such as tracks, calorimeter deposits, isolated electrons, jets, taus, and missing energy. The modular design and new features—particle‑flow reconstruction and pile‑up simulation/mitigation—provide greater flexibility and are essential for LHC detector simulation.

Abstract

The version 3.0 of the Delphes fast-simulation is presented. The goal of Delphes is to allow the simulation of a multipurpose detector for phenomenological studies. The simulation includes a track propagation system embedded in a magnetic field, electromagnetic and hadron calorimeters, and a muon identification system. Physics objects that can be used for data analysis are then reconstructed from the simulated detector response. These include tracks and calorimeter deposits and high level objects such as isolated electrons, jets, taus, and missing energy. The new modular approach allows for greater flexibility in the design of the simulation and reconstruction sequence. New features such as the particle-flow reconstruction approach, crucial in the first years of the LHC, and pile-up simulation and mitigation, which is needed for the simulation of the LHC detectors in the near future, have also been implemented. The Delphes framework is not meant to be used for advanced detector studies, for which more accurate tools are needed. Although some aspects of Delphes are hadron collider specific, it is flexible enough to be adapted to the needs of electron-positron collider experiments.