Direct photons in hydrodynamic modeling of relativistic nuclear collisions

Abstract

We review direct photons in the phenomenology of nuclear collisions at relativistic energies. Direct photons carry information about the space–time evolution of nuclear collisions because the QCD medium is transparent against colorless particles. After a status summary of theoretical and experimental studies, transverse momentum spectra and azimuthal momentum anisotropies of direct photons are studied in the context of the hydrodynamic modeling of relativistic nuclear collisions with emphasis on pre-equilibrium photons. It is implied that pre-equilibrium photons can be as important as thermal and prompt photons for comprehensive understanding of direct photon production.