Model and parameter dependence of heavy quark energy loss in a hot and dense medium

Abstract

Within the framework of the Langevin equation, we study the energy loss of heavy quarks due to quasi-elastic multiple scatterings in a quark–gluon plasma created by relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We investigate how the initial configuration of the quark–gluon plasma as well as its properties affect the final state spectra and elliptic flow of D-mesons and non-photonic electrons. We find that both the geometric anisotropy of the initial quark–gluon plasma and the flow profiles of the hydrodynamic medium play important roles in the heavy quark energy loss process and the development of elliptic flow. The relative contribution from charm and bottom quarks is found to affect the transverse momentum dependence of the quenching and flow patterns of heavy flavor decay electron; such influence depends on the interaction strength between heavy quarks and the medium.