Path-length Dependence Research Articles

Probing the path-length dependence of parton energy loss via scaling properties in heavy ion collisions

Probing the path-length dependence of parton energy loss via scaling properties in heavy ion collisions

Modification of charged-particle jets in event-shape engineered Pb–Pb collisions at [formula omitted] TeV

Charged-particle jet yields have been measured in semicentral Pb–Pb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon–nucleon collision sNN=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. These yields are reported as a function of the jet transverse momentum, and further classified by their angle with respect to the event plane and the event shape, characterized by ellipticity, in an effort to study the path-length dependence of jet quenching. Jets were reconstructed at midrapidity from charged-particle tracks using the anti-kT algorithm with resolution parameters R = 0.2 and 0.4, with event-plane angle and event-shape values determined using information from forward scintillating detectors. The results presented in this letter show that, in semicentral Pb–Pb collisions, there is no significant difference between jet yields in predominantly isotropic and elliptical events. However, out-of-plane jets are observed to be more suppressed than in-plane jets. Further, this relative suppression is greater for low transverse momentum (< 50 GeV/c) R = 0.2 jets produced in elliptical events, with out-of-plane to in-plane jet-yield ratios varying up to 5.2σ between different event-shape classes. These results agree with previous studies indicating that jets experience azimuthally anisotropic suppression when traversing the QGP medium, and can provide additional constraints on the path-length dependence of jet energy loss.

Centrality-dependent modification of hadron and jet production in electron-nucleus collisions

Centrality-dependent measurements of hadron and jet cross section attenuation in deep inelastic scattering on nuclei can shed new light on the physics of final-state interactions in nuclear matter, including the path-length dependence of the in-medium parton shower formation and evolution. Recent simulation studies have demonstrated the feasibility of experimental centrality determination in eA reactions at the electron-ion collider via neutron detection in the zero-degree calorimeter. Motivated by these results, we present the first theoretical calculation of the production rate modification for hadrons and jets in central and peripheral ePb collisions. We find that the variation in the suppression of inclusive jet cross section as a function of centrality is less than a factor of two. In more differential measurements, such as the distribution of hadrons versus the hadronization fraction zh, the difference can be enhanced up to an order of magnitude.

Bayesian inference of the path-length dependence of jet energy loss

Bayesian inference of the path-length dependence of jet energy loss

Statistical and Model Estimates of the Relationship between Characteristics of Atmospheric Tornadoes

Based on the observational data, statistical estimates of the relationship between different characteristics of atmospheric tornadoes were received. Statistically significant estimates of the power-law relationship of the tornado path length and path width were obtained. Specific features are noted for different ranges of path length and path width of intense atmospheric vortices. A simple model is proposed to explain the noted power-law, including the root, dependence of the tornado path length on path width.

Measurements of azimuthal anisotropies of jet production in Pb+Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The azimuthal variation of jet yields in heavy-ion collisions provides information about the path-length dependence of the energy loss experienced by partons passing through the hot, dense nuclear matter known as the quark-gluon plasma. This paper presents the azimuthal anisotropy coefficients $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_4$ measured for jets in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 5.02 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurement uses data collected in 2015 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 nb$^{-1}$. The $v_n$ values are measured as a function of the transverse momentum of the jets between 71 GeV and 398 GeV and the event centrality. A nonzero value of $v_2$ is observed in all but the most central collisions. The value of $v_2$ is largest for jets with lower transverse momentum, with values up to 0.05 in mid-central collisions. A smaller, nonzero value of $v_3$ of approximately 0.01 is measured with no significant dependence on jet $p_T$ or centrality, suggesting that fluctuations in the initial state play a small but distinct role in jet energy loss. No significant deviation of $v_4$ from zero is observed in the measured kinematic region.

Multi-partonic medium induced cascades in expanding media

Going beyond the simplified gluonic cascades, we introduce both gluon and quark degrees of freedom for partonic cascades inside the medium. We then solve the set of coupled evolution equations numerically with splitting kernels calculated for static, exponential, and Bjorken expanding media to arrive at medium-modified parton spectra for quark and gluon initiated jets. Using these, we calculate the inclusive jet R_mathrm {AA} where the phenomenologically driven combinations of quark and gluon jet fractions are included. Then, the rapidity dependence of the jet R_mathrm {AA} is examined. We also study the path-length dependence of jet quenching for different types of expanding media by calculating the jet v_2. Additionally, we study the sensitivity of observables on effects from nuclear modification of parton distribution functions, vacuum-like emissions in the plasma, and the time of the onset of the quenching. All calculations are compared with recently measured data.

Open charm and beauty measurements from small to large systems

Heavy-flavor quarks (i.e. charm and beauty) are essential probes to investigate the properties of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) created in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The measurement of the nuclear modification factor (RAA) gives insight into the in-medium parton energy loss in heavy-ion collisions. Furthermore, the measurements of heavy-flavor elliptic flow (v2) provide crucial information about the degree of thermalization of heavy quarks in the QGP, the path-length dependence of heavy-quark in-medium energy loss, and possible recombination effects. The higher flow harmonics, such as the triangular flow (v3), provide further constraints on the effect of fluctuations in the initial state of the system. The measurements in proton-proton (pp) collisions allow for testing perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD) calculations and are needed as a baseline for investigating the medium effects in heavy-ion collisions. In this contribution, recent results of open charm and beauty production measured with the ALICE detector are discussed.

Bottomonium suppression and elliptic flow using Heavy Quarkonium Quantum Dynamics

We introduce a framework called Heavy Quarkonium Quantum Dynamics (HQQD) which can be used to compute the dynamical suppression of heavy quarkonia propagating in the quark-gluon plasma using real-time in-medium quantum evolution. Using HQQD we compute large sets of real-time solutions to the Schrödinger equation using a realistic in-medium complex-valued potential. We sample 2 million quarkonia wave packet trajectories and evolve them through the QGP using HQQD to obtain their survival probabilities. The computation is performed using three different HQQD model parameter sets in order to estimate our systematic uncertainty. After taking into account final state feed down we compare our results to existing experimental data for the suppression and elliptic flow of bottomonium states and find that HQQD predictions are good agreement with available data for RAA as a function of Npart and pT collected at sqrt{s_{mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02 TeV. In the case of v2 for the various states, we find that the path-length dependence of ϒ(1s) suppression results in quite small v2 for ϒ(1s). Our prediction for the integrated elliptic flow for ϒ(1s) in the 10−90% centrality class, which now includes an estimate of the systematic error, is v2[ϒ(1s)] = 0.003 ± 0.0007 ± {}_{0.0013}^{0.0006} . We also find that, due to their increased suppression, excited bottomonium states have a larger elliptic flow. Based on this observation we make predictions for v2[ϒ(2s)] and v2[ϒ(3s)] as a function of centrality and transverse momentum.

Measurements of dihadron correlations relative to the event plane in Au+Au collisions at GeV * *Supported in part by the Offices of NP and HEP within the U.S. DOE Office of Science, the U.S. NSF, the Sloan Foundation, the DFG cluster of excellence ‘Origin and Structure of the Universe’ of Germany, CNRS/IN2P3, STFC and EPSRC of the United Kingdom, FAPESP

Dihadron azimuthal correlations containing a high transverse momentum ( ) trigger particle are sensitive to the properties of the nuclear medium created at RHIC through the strong interactions occurring between the traversing parton and the medium, i.e. jet-quenching. Previous measurements revealed a strong modification to dihadron azimuthal correlations in Au+Au collisions with respect to p+p and d+Au collisions. The modification increases with the collision centrality, suggesting a path-length or energy density dependence to the jet-quenching effect. This paper reports STAR measurements of dihadron azimuthal correlations in mid-central (20%-60%) Au+Au collisions at GeV as a function of the trigger particle's azimuthal angle relative to the event plane, . The azimuthal correlation is studied as a function of both the trigger and associated particle . The subtractions of the combinatorial background and anisotropic flow, assuming Zero Yield At Minimum (ZYAM), are described. The correlation results are first discussed with subtraction of the even harmonic (elliptic and quadrangular) flow backgrounds. The away-side correlation is strongly modified, and the modification varies with , with a double-peak structure for out-of-plane trigger particles. The near-side ridge (long range pseudo-rapidity correlation) appears to drop with increasing while the jet-like component remains approximately constant. The correlation functions are further studied with the subtraction of odd harmonic triangular flow background arising from fluctuations. It is found that the triangular flow, while responsible for the majority of the amplitudes, is not sufficient to explain the -dependence of the ridge or the away-side double-peak structure. The dropping ridge with could be attributed to a -dependent elliptic anisotropy; however, the physics mechanism of the ridge remains an open question. Even with a -dependent elliptic flow, the away-side correlation structure is robust. These results, with extensive systematic studies of the dihadron correlations as a function of , trigger and associated particle , and the pseudo-rapidity range , should provide stringent inputs to help understand the underlying physics mechanisms of jet-medium interactions in high energy nuclear collisions.

Bottomonium suppression and elliptic flow from real-time quantum evolution

We compute the suppression and elliptic flow of bottomonium using real-time solutions to the Schrödinger equation with a realistic in-medium complex-valued potential. To model the initial production, we assume that, in the limit of heavy quark masses, the wave-function can be described by a lattice-smeared (Gaussian) Dirac delta wave-function. The resulting final-state quantum-mechanical overlaps provide the survival probability of all bottomonium eigenstates. Our results are in good agreement with available data for RAA as a function of Npart and pT collected at sNN=5.02 TeV. In the case of v2 for the various states, we find that the path-length dependence of ϒ(1s) suppression results in quite small v2 for ϒ(1s). Our prediction for the integrated elliptic flow for ϒ(1s) in the 10−90% centrality class is v2[ϒ(1s)]=0.0026±0.0007. We additionally find that, due to their increased suppression, excited bottomonium states have a larger elliptic flow and we make predictions for v2[ϒ(2s)] and v2[ϒ(3s)] as a function of centrality and transverse momentum. Similar to prior studies, we find that it is possible for bottomonium states to have negative v2 at low transverse momentum.

Measurement of D-meson production and flow in Pb–Pb collisions with ALICE at the LHC

Open-charmed mesons are unique tools to study the properties of the Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP) formed in ultra-relativistic nucleus–nucleus collisions. The nuclear modification factor ([Formula: see text]) and elliptic flow ([Formula: see text]) of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] mesons were measured by the ALICE Collaboration in Pb–Pb collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TeV. The D-meson [Formula: see text] provides information on the charm-quark interactions with the medium and the charm-quark energy loss. The D-meson elliptic flow at low transverse momentum ([Formula: see text]) gives insight into the participation of charm quarks in the collective expansion of the system and their possible in-medium thermalization. At high [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text] is sensitive to the path-length dependence of parton energy loss. The role of the recombination mechanism is investigated measuring the [Formula: see text]-differential yield ratios between D-meson species with and without strange-quark content. Finally, the coupling of charm quarks to light quarks of the underlying medium is examined applying the Event-Shape Engineering (ESE) technique to the nonstrange D-meson elliptic flow.

Jet-hadron correlations measured relative to the second order event plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN=2.76TeV

The Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) produced in ultra relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can be studied by measuring the modifications of jets formed by hard scattered partons which interact with the medium. We studied these modifications via angular correlations of jets with charged hadrons for jets with momenta 20 < $p_{\rm{T}}^{\rm{jet}}$ < 40 GeV/$c$ as a function of the associated particle momentum. The reaction plane fit (RPF) method is used in this analysis to remove the flow modulated background. The analysis of angular correlations for different orientations of the jet relative to the second order event plane allows for the study of the path length dependence of medium modifications to jets. We present the dependence of azimuthal angular correlations of charged hadrons with respect to the angle of the axis of a reconstructed jet relative to the event plane in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. The dependence of particle yields associated with jets on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is presented. Correlations at different angles relative to the event plane are compared through ratios and differences of the yield. No dependence of the results on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is observed within uncertainties, which is consistent with no significant path length dependence of the medium modifications for this observable.

Widening and distortion of the particle energy distribution by chromaticity in quasi-isochronous rings

This paper reports the observation of beam energy widening and distortion from Gaussian due to a nonvanishing horizontal chromaticity at a quasi-isochronous storage ring. The result originates from an average path-length dependence on the betatron oscillation amplitudes, which is intimately correlated to the transverse chromaticities. It is the first experimental validation of the impact of such a nonlinear transverse-longitudinal coupling effect on the equilibrium beam characteristics in a storage ring. The results could be important for quasi-isochronous rings, steady-state microbunching, nonscaling fixed-field alternate gradient accelerators, etc., where very small momentum compaction or large chromaticity is required.

Extracting jet transport parameter $$\hat{q}$$ from a multiphase transport model

Within a multi-phase transport model with string melting scenario, jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ is calculated in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN} } $= 200 GeV and Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN} } $= 2.76 TeV. The $\hat{q}$ increases with the increasing of jet energy for both partonic phase and hadronic phase. The energy and path length dependences of $\hat{q}$ in full heavy-ion evolution are consistent with the expectations of jet quenching. The correlation between jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ and dijet transverse momentum asymmetry $A_{J}$ is mainly investigated, which discloses that a larger $\hat{q}$ corresponds to a larger $A_{J}$. It supports a consistent jet energy loss picture from the two viewpoints of single jet and dijet. It is proposed to measure dijet asymmetry distributions with different jet transport parameter ranges as a new potential method to study jet quenching physics in high energy heavy-ion collisions.

Reconstruction of neutral-triggered charged recoil jets in √s = 200 GeV p+p collisions at the STAR experiment

Jets — collimated sprays of hadrons — are produced by hard-scattered partons during the early stages of heavy ion collisions. Hence, they provide a valuable probe of the complex multi-particle dynamics within the hot, dense medium produced in such collisions. In particular, the study of jets recoiling from direct photons (γdir+jet) and those recoiling from energetic π0 (π0+jet) may shed light on the path-length and initial flavor (quark vs. gluon) dependence of the energy-loss experienced by a parton as it traverses the medium. We present here measurements of the yields of charged recoil jets tagged by γdir and π0 in p+p collisions at √S = 200 GeV. These measurements will serve as a vacuum fragmentation reference for an upcoming measurement in Au + Au collisions.

How to test path-length dependence in energy-loss mechanisms: Analysis leading to a new observable

When traversing QCD medium, high $p_\perp$ partons lose energy, which is typically measured by suppression, and also predicted by various energy loss models. A crucial test of different energy loss mechanisms is how the energy loss depends on the length of traversed medium (so-called path-length dependence). The upcoming experimental results will allow to, at least in principle, for the first time, clearly observe how the energy loss changes with the size of the medium, in particular, by comparing already available $Pb+Pb$ measurements with now upcoming $Xe+Xe$ data at the LHC. However, in practice, to actually perform such test, it becomes crucial to chose an optimal observable. With respect to this, a ratio of observed suppression for the two systems may seem a natural (and frequently mentioned) choice. We, however, show that extracting the path-length dependence from this observable would not be possible. We here provide an analytical derivation based on simple scaling arguments, as well as detailed numerical calculations based on our advanced energy loss framework, showing that a different observable is suitable for this purpose. We call this observable path-length sensitive suppression ratio ($R_L^{AB}$) and provide our predictions before experimental data become available. This predictions also clearly show that this observable will allow a simple comparison of the related theoretical models with the experimental data, and consequently to distinguish between different (underlying) energy loss mechanisms, which is in turn crucial for understanding properties of created QCD medium.

Hydrodynamic model of plasma evolution under heating by high-energy ion flux

The analytical solution is found for thermodynamic state of plasma created when the half-space is heating by high-energy ion flow. The dependence of free path length of heating ions on plasma temperature is taken into account. Besides, an analysis of characteristic parameters of shock wave and efficiency of energy transfer to shock wave from heating ion flow is given.

Light and heavy flavor dijet production and dijet mass modification in heavy ion collisions

Back-to-back light and heavy flavor dijet measurements are promising experimental channels to accurately study the physics of jet production and propagation in a dense QCD medium. They can provide new insights into the path length, color charge, and mass dependence of quark and gluon energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma produced in reactions of ultra-relativistic nuclei. To this end, we perform a comprehensive study of both light and heavy flavor dijet production in heavy ion collisions. We propose the modification of dijet invariant mass distributions in such reactions as a novel observable that shows enhanced sensitivity to the QGP transport properties and heavy quark mass effects on in-medium parton showers. This is achieved through the addition of the jet quenching effects on the individual jets as opposed to their subtraction. The latter drives the subtle effects on more conventional observables, such as the dijet momentum imbalance shifts, which we also calculate here. Results are presented in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for comparison to data at the Large Hadron Collider and in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV to guide the future sPHENIX program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.

Dynamical energy loss formalism: from describing suppression patterns to implications for future experiments

We overview our recently developed DREENA-C and DREENA-B frameworks, where DREENA (Dynamical Radiative and Elastic ENergy loss Approach) is a computational implementation of the dynamical energy loss formalism; C stands for constant temperature and B for the medium evolution modeled by Bjorken expansion. At constant temperature our predictions overestimate ν2, in contrast to other models, but consistent with simple analytical estimates. With Bjorken expansion, we obtain good agreement with both RAA and ν2 measurements. We find that introducing medium evolution has a larger effect on ν2 predictions, but for precision predictions it has to be taken into account in RAA predictions as well. We also propose a new observable, which we call path length sensitive suppression ratio, for which we argue that the path length dependence can be assessed in a straightforward manner. We also argue that Pb + Pb vs. Xe + Xe collisions make a good system to assess the path length dependence. As an outlook, we expect that introduction of more complex medium evolution (beyond Bjorken expansion) in the dynamical energy loss formalism can provide a basis for a state of the art QGP tomography tool – e.g. to jointly constrain the medium properties from the point of both high-p⊥ and low-p⊥ data.