Showing 1–50 of 218 results for author: Schenke, B

Electromagnetic Radiation from Baryon-Rich Matter in Heavy-Ion Collisions

Authors: Xiang-Yu Wu, Charles Gale, Sangyong Jeon, Jean-François Paquet, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: We perform a study of electromagnetic radiation in heavy-ion collisions at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Beam Energy Scan (BES) and SPS energies using the iEBE-MUSIC framework, which includes 3D dynamical Monte Carlo Glauber initial conditions, MUSIC (3+1)D viscous relativistic hydrodynamics, and the UrQMD hadronic afterburner. The multistage modeling has been calibrated to hadronic data… ▽ More We perform a study of electromagnetic radiation in heavy-ion collisions at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Beam Energy Scan (BES) and SPS energies using the iEBE-MUSIC framework, which includes 3D dynamical Monte Carlo Glauber initial conditions, MUSIC (3+1)D viscous relativistic hydrodynamics, and the UrQMD hadronic afterburner. The multistage modeling has been calibrated to hadronic data at RHIC-BES energies using a Bayesian analysis. Integrating the thermal photon emission rates with the medium evolution, we study the direct photon yield and elliptic flow and how they vary with collision energy and emission source. We compare with results obtained by the STAR and PHENIX Collaborations. We employ next-to-leading order thermal QCD dilepton emission rates to compute dilepton invariant mass spectra and extract the effective temperature of the quark-gluon plasma at different collision energies. △ Less

Submitted 11 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 18 pages, 14 figures

Impact of QCD Energy Evolution on Observables in Heavy-Ion Collisions

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We study how the inclusion of energy dependence as dictated by quantum chromodynamic (QCD) small-$x$ evolution equations affects key observables in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Specifically, we incorporate JIMWLK evolution into the IP-Glasma framework, which serves as the initial condition for a simulation pipeline that includes viscous relativistic hydrodynamics and a hadronic afterbu… ▽ More We study how the inclusion of energy dependence as dictated by quantum chromodynamic (QCD) small-$x$ evolution equations affects key observables in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Specifically, we incorporate JIMWLK evolution into the IP-Glasma framework, which serves as the initial condition for a simulation pipeline that includes viscous relativistic hydrodynamics and a hadronic afterburner. This approach enables a consistent modeling of highly energetic nuclei across varying Bjorken-$x$ values, which are relevant for different collision energies and rapidity regions. In comparison to the standard IP-Glasma setup without small-$x$ evolution, we observe pronounced changes in particle multiplicities and spectral distributions, especially in smaller systems and at the highest available energies. We further explore effects on anisotropic flow observables and correlations between mean transverse momentum and elliptic flow. Our findings underscore the critical role of nonlinear QCD evolution in accurately modeling the early stages of heavy-ion collisions, as well as its implications for extracting transport properties of the quark-gluon plasma. △ Less

Submitted 5 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Transport-based initial conditions for heavy-ion collisions at finite densities

Authors: H. Roch, G. Pihan, A. Monnai, S. Ryu, N. Senthilkumar, J. Staudenmaier, H. Elfner, B. Schenke, J. H. Putschke, C. Shen, S. A. Bass, M. Chartier, Y. Chen, R. Datta, R. Dolan, L. Du, R. Ehlers, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, D. A. Hangal, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, F. Jonas , et al. (31 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We employ the SMASH transport model to provide event-by-event initial conditions for the energy-momentum tensor and conserved charge currents in hydrodynamic simulations of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We study the fluctuations and dynamical evolution of three conserved charge currents (net baryon, net electric charges, and net strangeness) with a 4D lattice-QCD-based equation of state, NEOS… ▽ More We employ the SMASH transport model to provide event-by-event initial conditions for the energy-momentum tensor and conserved charge currents in hydrodynamic simulations of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We study the fluctuations and dynamical evolution of three conserved charge currents (net baryon, net electric charges, and net strangeness) with a 4D lattice-QCD-based equation of state, NEOS-4D, in the hydrodynamic phase. Out-of-equilibrium corrections at the particlization are generalized to finite densities to ensure the conservation of energy, momentum, and the three types of charges. These theoretical developments are integrated within X-SCAPE as a unified framework for studying the nuclear matter properties in the Beam Energy Scan program. △ Less

Submitted 8 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 16 pages, 12 figures

Pre-equilibrium charm quark dynamics and their impact on D-Meson observables

Authors: Manu Kurian, Mayank Singh, Charles Gale, Sangyong Jeon, Björn Schenke

Abstract: We study the impact of pre-equilibrium evolution on the charm quark $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$ in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. We observe that there is significant diffusion in the pre-equilibrium evolution, but there is no measurable effect on the final state observables. We study the impact of pre-equilibrium evolution on the charm quark $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$ in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. We observe that there is significant diffusion in the pre-equilibrium evolution, but there is no measurable effect on the final state observables. △ Less

Submitted 30 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures, proceedings for Quark Matter 2025 conference

Neutron Skin from Conserved Charge Measurements at Collider Experiments

Authors: Grégoire Pihan, Akihiko Monnai, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: We propose a novel method for measuring the neutron skin of heavy nuclei using collider experiments. Specifically, we demonstrate that the neutron skin thickness of the lead nucleus can be extracted in $p$+$^{208}$Pb collisions by analyzing a double ratio: The ratio of net electric charge to net baryon number measured near the lead-going rapidity, taken for high-multiplicity events and divided by… ▽ More We propose a novel method for measuring the neutron skin of heavy nuclei using collider experiments. Specifically, we demonstrate that the neutron skin thickness of the lead nucleus can be extracted in $p$+$^{208}$Pb collisions by analyzing a double ratio: The ratio of net electric charge to net baryon number measured near the lead-going rapidity, taken for high-multiplicity events and divided by the same ratio for low-multiplicity events. We compute the expected sensitivity of the double ratio to the neutron skin within a comprehensive (3+1)D relativistic hydrodynamic framework that incorporates multiple conserved charge currents and a charge-dependent lattice-QCD-based equation of state. We provide predictions for both $p$+$^{208}$Pb collisions at ${\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=72}$~GeV and $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$~TeV, corresponding to the center of mass energies realized in the SMOG2 fixed-target setup at LHCb and the LHC collider mode, respectively. △ Less

Submitted 27 October, 2025; v1 submitted 25 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures

Charm quark evolution in the early stages of heavy-ion collisions

Authors: Mayank Singh, Manu Kurian, Björn Schenke, Sangyong Jeon, Charles Gale

Abstract: Heavy quarks are predominantly generated at the initial stage of relativistic heavy-ion collisions such that heavy flavor observables have the potential to provide information on the pre-equilibrium medium dynamics. In this study, we investigate the sensitivity of D-meson $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$ to early-time charm quark dynamics in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02$ TeV. We employ the IP-Glasma+… ▽ More Heavy quarks are predominantly generated at the initial stage of relativistic heavy-ion collisions such that heavy flavor observables have the potential to provide information on the pre-equilibrium medium dynamics. In this study, we investigate the sensitivity of D-meson $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$ to early-time charm quark dynamics in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02$ TeV. We employ the IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD framework to model the evolution of the bulk medium. Charm quarks are generated using PYTHIA with nuclear parton distribution functions and evolved using Langevin dynamics within MARTINI. We observe that even though there is significant momentum broadening in the earliest stage, D-meson $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$ are only weakly sensitive to pre-equilibrium interactions. △ Less

Submitted 23 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 9 figures

Nuclear Suppression in Diffractive Vector Meson Production within the Color Glass Condensate Framework

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Hendrik Roch, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We extend a recent global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions within the color glass condensate (CGC) framework to investigate potential modifications of the nucleon structure inside nuclei. To this end, we perform fits that allow the effective nucleon structure parameters in Pb nuclei to differ from those of free protons. This approac… ▽ More We extend a recent global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions within the color glass condensate (CGC) framework to investigate potential modifications of the nucleon structure inside nuclei. To this end, we perform fits that allow the effective nucleon structure parameters in Pb nuclei to differ from those of free protons. This approach directly addresses the question of whether the proton's spatial gluon distribution at intermediate to large $x$ is modified in the nuclear environment. We compare results obtained with shared and independent nucleon structure parameters and assess the impact on the simultaneous description of $γ+p$ data from HERA and the LHC, as well as $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ data from the LHC. Our findings show that there is no hint of difference in the nucleon structure beyond those already present in the CGC when embedding nucleons inside a nuclear environment. △ Less

Submitted 16 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 2nd International Workshop on the physics of Ultra Peripheral Collisions (UPC 2025)

Electromagnetic radiation from Quark-Gluon Plasma at finite baryon density

Authors: Xiang-Yu Wu, Charles Gale, Sangyong Jeon, Jean-François Paquet, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: Using the Bayesian calibrated iEBE-MUSIC framework, we compute the production of electromagnetic radiation from hot hadronic matter at finite baryon density. Results for thermal photon and thermal dilepton yields are obtained by folding in-medium emission rates with posterior-sampled backgrounds evolved hydrodynamically. We consider different photon sources and analyze the collision-energy depende… ▽ More Using the Bayesian calibrated iEBE-MUSIC framework, we compute the production of electromagnetic radiation from hot hadronic matter at finite baryon density. Results for thermal photon and thermal dilepton yields are obtained by folding in-medium emission rates with posterior-sampled backgrounds evolved hydrodynamically. We consider different photon sources and analyze the collision-energy dependence of the thermal-to-prompt photon ratio. The sensitivity of the dilepton spectra to the pre-equilibrium stage is explored by considering different initialization procedures. Finally, we examine the impact on dilepton spectra of choosing parameter sets stemming from different Bayesian data analyses. △ Less

Submitted 3 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, proceedings for Quark Matter 2025 conference

Testing hydrodynamic response to initial-state geometry in Pb+$d^\uparrow$ collisions

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: Deuterons with different polarization states have distinct shapes for their wavefunctions. This offers a unique opportunity to experimentally control the initial-state collision geometry with the polarization of the light-ion targets in relativistic heavy-ion experiments. We study the charged hadron elliptic flow coefficients with respect to the polarization angle of deuterons in Pb + polarized de… ▽ More Deuterons with different polarization states have distinct shapes for their wavefunctions. This offers a unique opportunity to experimentally control the initial-state collision geometry with the polarization of the light-ion targets in relativistic heavy-ion experiments. We study the charged hadron elliptic flow coefficients with respect to the polarization angle of deuterons in Pb + polarized deuteron collisions using a hydrodynamics + hadronic transport model. Hydrodynamic response to initial-state geometry predicts a distinct sign of $v_2$ correlated with the deuteron's polarization states, providing a clean test case for elucidating the collective origin in small collision systems. △ Less

Submitted 22 September, 2025; v1 submitted 30 August, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, proceedings for Quark Matter 2025 conference

Nuclear suppression in diffractive vector meson production within the color glass condensate framework

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Hendrik Roch, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We perform a global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions within a Color Glass Condensate based framework. Using data from HERA and the LHC, we find that a simultaneous description of $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ observables is challenging. Introducing a global $K$-factor to account for theoretical uncertainties improves the agreement with… ▽ More We perform a global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions within a Color Glass Condensate based framework. Using data from HERA and the LHC, we find that a simultaneous description of $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ observables is challenging. Introducing a global $K$-factor to account for theoretical uncertainties improves the agreement with data and enhances the framework's predictive power. We present predictions for integrated $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ cross sections at different photon-nucleus energies and study their $A$-dependence relative to a no-saturation baseline, quantifying nuclear suppression and providing insights into the onset of saturation effects. △ Less

Submitted 29 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: Proceedings for talk by H.R. at the Quark Matter 2025 conference

Perturbative high-energy evolution in the IP-Glasma initial state

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We include the perturbative JIMWLK energy evolution into the IP-Glasma initial state description used to simulate the early-time dynamics in heavy ion collisions. By numerically solving the JIMWLK equation on an event-by-event basis, we obtain the energy (Bjorken-$x$) dependent structure of the colliding nuclei. Combining the initial state with hydrodynamic simulations, this enables us to predict… ▽ More We include the perturbative JIMWLK energy evolution into the IP-Glasma initial state description used to simulate the early-time dynamics in heavy ion collisions. By numerically solving the JIMWLK equation on an event-by-event basis, we obtain the energy (Bjorken-$x$) dependent structure of the colliding nuclei. Combining the initial state with hydrodynamic simulations, this enables us to predict how observables evolve when moving from RHIC to LHC energies. △ Less

Submitted 28 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 4 pages. Talk by H.M at the Quark Matter 2025 conference

Global Bayesian Analysis of $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ Photoproduction on Proton and Lead Targets

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Hendrik Roch, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We perform a global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions using a color glass condensate (CGC) based calculation framework. As past calculations have shown that CGC-based models typically overpredict the $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at high center of mass energy, we address the question of whether it is possibl… ▽ More We perform a global Bayesian analysis of diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions using a color glass condensate (CGC) based calculation framework. As past calculations have shown that CGC-based models typically overpredict the $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ production in $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at high center of mass energy, we address the question of whether it is possible to describe coherent and incoherent diffractive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ data from $γ+p$ collisions at HERA and the LHC, and from $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at the LHC simultaneously. Our results indicate that a simultaneous description of $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ data is challenging, with results improving when an overall $K$-factor -- scaling $γ+p$ and $γ+\mathrm{Pb}$ cross sections to absorb model uncertainties -- is introduced. △ Less

Submitted 18 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 16 pages, 4 figures

Nuclear Physics Confronts Relativistic Collisions Of Isobars

Authors: Giuliano Giacalone, Jiangyong Jia, Vittorio Somà, You Zhou, Anatoli Afanasjev, Massimiliano Alvioli, Benjamin Bally, Federica Capellino, Jean-Paul Ebran, Hannah Elfner, Fernando G. Gardim, André V. Giannini, Frédérique Grassi, Eduardo Grossi, Jan Hammelmann, Andreas Kirchner, Dean Lee, Matthew Luzum, Hadi Mehrabpour, Emil G. Nielsen, Govert Nijs, Tamara Nikšić, Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler, Jean-Yves Ollitrault, Takaharu Otsuka , et al. (21 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: High-energy collisions involving the $A=96$ isobars $^{96}$Zr and $^{96}$Ru have been performed in 2018 at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) as a means to search for the chiral magnetic effect in QCD. This would manifest itself as specific deviations from unity in the ratio of observables taken between $^{96}$Zr+$^{96}$Zr and $^{96}$Ru+$^{96}$Ru collisions. Me… ▽ More High-energy collisions involving the $A=96$ isobars $^{96}$Zr and $^{96}$Ru have been performed in 2018 at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) as a means to search for the chiral magnetic effect in QCD. This would manifest itself as specific deviations from unity in the ratio of observables taken between $^{96}$Zr+$^{96}$Zr and $^{96}$Ru+$^{96}$Ru collisions. Measurements of such ratios (released at the end of 2021) indeed reveal deviations from unity, but these are primarily caused by the two collided isobars having different radial profiles and intrinsic deformations. To make progress in understanding RHIC data, nuclear physicists across the energy spectrum gathered in Heidelberg in 2022 as part of an EMMI Rapid Reaction Task Force (RRTF) to address the following question. Does the combined effort of low-energy nuclear structure physics and high-energy heavy-ion physics enable us to understand the observations made in isobar collisions at RHIC? △ Less

Submitted 2 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 112 pages, 39figs; Report of the EMMI RRTF "Nuclear Physics Confronts Relativistic Collisions of Isobars" https://indico.gsi.de/event/14430/ https://indico.gsi.de/event/15627/

Interplay of prompt and non-prompt photons in photon-triggered jet observables

Authors: Chathuranga Sirimanna, Yasuki Tachibana, Abhijit Majumder, Aaron Angerami, Ritu Arora, Steffen Bass, Yi Chen, Ritoban Datta, Lipei Du, Raymond Ehlers, Hannah Elfner, Rainer J. Fries, Charles Gale, Yayun He, Barbara Jacak, Peter Jacobs, Sangyong Jeon, Yi Ji, Florian Jonas, Lauren Kasper, Michael Kordell, Amit Kumar, Raghav Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, Joseph Latessa, Yen-Jie Lee , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Prompt photons are important yet challenging to observe in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, as they are produced in the early stages and traverse almost the entire QGP medium without interaction. Experimental analyses typically employ isolation cuts, in the hope to identify prompt photons. Most theoretical studies consider only events with actual prompt photons, assuming no contribution from iso… ▽ More Prompt photons are important yet challenging to observe in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, as they are produced in the early stages and traverse almost the entire QGP medium without interaction. Experimental analyses typically employ isolation cuts, in the hope to identify prompt photons. Most theoretical studies consider only events with actual prompt photons, assuming no contribution from isolated non-prompt photons to reduce computational cost. For the first time, we present a study that compares simulation results generated using inclusive (bremsstrahlung) and prompt-photon events with multiple experimental observables for both $p-p$ and $Pb-Pb$ collisions at $5.02$ TeV. Simulations are carried out using the multi-stage JETSCAPE framework tuned to describe the quenching of jets and hadrons. Isolated non-prompt photons are generated in hard photon bremsstrahlung, where the photon is radiated at a sufficient angle to the jet. Several photon triggered jet and jet substructure observables show significant contributions from inclusive photons, yielding an improvement in comparison with experimental data. Novel photon triggered jet substructure observables are also expected to show new structures, yet to be detected in experiment. This effort examines the significance of isolated non-prompt photons using parameters tuned for a simultaneous description of the leading hadron and jet spectrum, and thus provides an independent verification of the multistage evolution framework. △ Less

Submitted 1 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 5 pages, 4 figures

Effects of hadronic reinteraction on jet fragmentation from small to large systems

Authors: Hendrik Roch, Aaron Angerami, Ritu Arora, Steffen Bass, Yi Chen, Ritoban Datta, Lipei Du, Raymond Ehlers, Hannah Elfner, Rainer J. Fries, Charles Gale, Yayun He, Barbara Jacak, Peter Jacobs, Sangyong Jeon, Yi Ji, Florian Jonas, Lauren Kasper, Michael Kordell II, Amit Kumar, Raghav Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, Joseph Latessa, Yen-Jie Lee, Roy Lemmon, Matt Luzum , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We investigate the impact of the hadronic phase on jet quenching in nuclear collider experiments, an open question in heavy-ion physics. Previous studies in a simplified setup suggest that hadronic interactions could have significant effects, but a systematic analysis is needed. Using the X-SCAPE event generator with the SMASH afterburner, we study the role of hadronic rescattering on jet fragment… ▽ More We investigate the impact of the hadronic phase on jet quenching in nuclear collider experiments, an open question in heavy-ion physics. Previous studies in a simplified setup suggest that hadronic interactions could have significant effects, but a systematic analysis is needed. Using the X-SCAPE event generator with the SMASH afterburner, we study the role of hadronic rescattering on jet fragmentation hadrons. Applying this framework to $e^++e^-$ collisions, we demonstrate that even in small systems with limited particle production, hadronic interactions lead to measurable modifications in final-state hadronic and jet observables by comparing scenarios with and without afterburner rescattering. △ Less

Submitted 19 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures, conference proceedings for Hard Probes 2024

Extraction of jet-medium interaction details through jet substructure for inclusive and gamma-tagged jets

Authors: Y. Tachibana, C. Sirimanna, A. Majumder, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, Y. Chen, R. Datta, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, F. Jonas, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, Y. -J. Lee , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present a comprehensive study of jet substructure modifications in high-energy heavy-ion collisions using both inclusive jets and $γ$-tagged jets, based on a multi-stage jet evolution model within the Monte Carlo framework JETSCAPE. To investigate hard parton splittings inside jets, we focus on Soft Drop observables. Our results for the groomed splitting radius and groomed jet mass distribution… ▽ More We present a comprehensive study of jet substructure modifications in high-energy heavy-ion collisions using both inclusive jets and $γ$-tagged jets, based on a multi-stage jet evolution model within the Monte Carlo framework JETSCAPE. To investigate hard parton splittings inside jets, we focus on Soft Drop observables. Our results for the groomed splitting radius and groomed jet mass distributions of inclusive jets show a slight narrowing compared to proton-proton baselines. We demonstrate that this apparent narrowing is primarily a selection bias from energy loss, rather than a direct modification of the splitting structure, by analyzing $γ$-tagged jets, where such bias is eliminated or significantly reduced. We also show that quark jets exhibit genuine modifications in their splitting structure, which is not seen in gluon jets. These effects are clearly visible in the substructure of $γ$-tagged jets, which are dominated by quark jets, but are not apparent for inclusive jets. This demonstrates that $γ$-tagged jets offer a powerful probe of medium-induced modifications to the hard splitting structure of jets. △ Less

Submitted 18 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 5 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Hard and Electromagnetic Probes of High-Energy Nuclear Collisions (Hard Probes 2024), September 22-27, 2024, Nagasaki, Japan

Physics with high-luminosity proton-nucleus collisions at the LHC

Authors: D. d'Enterria, C. A. Flett, I. Grabowska-Bold, C. Hadjidakis, P. Kotko, A. Kusina, J. P. Lansberg, R. McNulty, M. Rinaldi, L. Bonechi, R. Bruce, C. Da Silva, E. G. Ferreiro, S. Fichet, L. Harland-Lang, G. Innocenti, F. Jonas, J. M. Jowett, R. Longo, K. Lynch, C. McGinn, T. Pierog, M. Pitt, S. Redaelli, B. Schenke , et al. (7 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The physics case for the operation of high-luminosity proton-nucleus ($pA$) collisions during Run 3 and 4 at the LHC is reviewed. The collection of $\mathcal{O}$(1-10 pb$^{-1}$) of proton-lead ($p$Pb) collisions at the LHC will provide unique physics opportunities in a broad range of topics including proton and nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs and nPDFs), generalised parton distribution… ▽ More The physics case for the operation of high-luminosity proton-nucleus ($pA$) collisions during Run 3 and 4 at the LHC is reviewed. The collection of $\mathcal{O}$(1-10 pb$^{-1}$) of proton-lead ($p$Pb) collisions at the LHC will provide unique physics opportunities in a broad range of topics including proton and nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs and nPDFs), generalised parton distributions (GPDs), transverse momentum dependent PDFs (TMDs), low-$x$ QCD and parton saturation, hadron spectroscopy, baseline studies for quark-gluon plasma and parton collectivity, double and triple parton scatterings (DPS/TPS), photon-photon collisions, and physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM); which are not otherwise as clearly accessible by exploiting data from any other colliding system at the LHC. This report summarises the accelerator aspects of high-luminosity $pA$ operation at the LHC, as well as each of the physics topics outlined above, including the relevant experimental measurements that motivate -- much -- larger $pA$ datasets. △ Less

Submitted 5 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 26 pages inc. refs, 1 figure, 3 tables. Slightly expanded version of a contribution submitted for the 2025 European Strategy for Particle Physics

Enhanced signal of momentum broadening in hard splittings for $γ$-tagged jets in a multistage approach

Authors: Y. Tachibana, C. Sirimanna, A. Majumder, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, Y. Chen, R. Datta, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, F. Jonas, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, Y. -J. Lee , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We investigate medium-induced modifications to jet substructure observables that characterize hard splitting patterns in central Pb-Pb collisions at the top energy of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Using a multistage Monte Carlo simulation of in-medium jet shower evolution, we explore flavor-dependent medium effects through simulations of inclusive and $γ$-tagged jets. The results show that quar… ▽ More We investigate medium-induced modifications to jet substructure observables that characterize hard splitting patterns in central Pb-Pb collisions at the top energy of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Using a multistage Monte Carlo simulation of in-medium jet shower evolution, we explore flavor-dependent medium effects through simulations of inclusive and $γ$-tagged jets. The results show that quark jets undergo a non-monotonic modification compared to gluon jets in observables such as the Pb-Pb to $p$-$p$ ratio of the Soft Drop prong angle $r_g$, the relative prong transverse momentum $k_{T,g}$ and the groomed mass $m_g$ distributions. Due to this non-monotonic modification, $γ$-tagged jets, enriched in quark jets, provide surprisingly clear signals of medium-induced structural modifications, distinct from effects dominated by selection bias. This work highlights the potential of hard substructures in $γ$-tagged jets as powerful tools for probing the jet-medium interactions in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. All simulations for $γ$-tagged jet analyses carried out in this paper used triggered events containing at least one hard photon, which highlights the utility of these observables for future Bayesian analysis. △ Less

Submitted 30 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 26 pages, 31 figures

Four-dimensional QCD equation of state at finite chemical potentials

Authors: Akihiko Monnai, Grégoire Pihan, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: Exploration of the QCD phase diagram is pivotal in particle and nuclear physics. We construct a full four-dimensional equation of state of QCD with net baryon, electric charge, and strangeness by extending the NEOS model beyond the conventional two-dimensional approximation. Lattice QCD calculations based on the Taylor expansion method and the hadron resonance gas model are considered for the cons… ▽ More Exploration of the QCD phase diagram is pivotal in particle and nuclear physics. We construct a full four-dimensional equation of state of QCD with net baryon, electric charge, and strangeness by extending the NEOS model beyond the conventional two-dimensional approximation. Lattice QCD calculations based on the Taylor expansion method and the hadron resonance gas model are considered for the construction. We also develop an efficient numerical method for applying the four-dimensional equation of state to relativistic hydrodynamic simulations, which can be used for the analysis of nuclear collisions at beam energy scan energies and for different nuclear species at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. △ Less

Submitted 5 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures; Proceedings of the XVIth Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum Conference (QCHSC24), August 18-24, 2024, Cairns, Australia

Collision energy dependence in heavy ion collisions from nonlinear QCD evolution

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We explore the effects of including the energy dependence determined from evolution equations within the color glass condensate framework on observables in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. This amounts to integrating the JIMWLK evolution equations into the IP-Glasma model, which is then coupled to viscous relativistic hydrodynamics. This methodology allows for a systematic representation o… ▽ More We explore the effects of including the energy dependence determined from evolution equations within the color glass condensate framework on observables in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. This amounts to integrating the JIMWLK evolution equations into the IP-Glasma model, which is then coupled to viscous relativistic hydrodynamics. This methodology allows for a systematic representation of nuclei at specific Bjorken-$x$ values, which are probed at different center-of-mass energies of the collision and rapidities of final state particles. Comparing to the conventional IP-Glasma model, we find significant effects on multiplicity distributions and particle spectra, especially in smaller collision systems at the highest center of mass energies. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating nonlinear QCD evolution in the description of heavy ion collisions at varying center of mass energies, as the precise extraction of transport coefficients will be affected. This work establishes a robust framework for understanding the quark gluon plasma and nuclear structure at high energy, integrating small-$x$ physics into the initial conditions of heavy-ion collisions. △ Less

Submitted 7 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Hybrid Hadronization -- A Study of In-Medium Hadronization of Jets

Authors: A. Sengupta, R. J. Fries, M. Kordell II, B. Kim, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, Y. Chen, R. Datta, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, F. Jonas, L. Kasper, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, Y. -J. Lee, R. Lemmon , et al. (28 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: QCD jets are considered important probes for quark gluon plasma created in collisions of nuclei at high energies. Their parton showers are significantly altered if they develop inside of a deconfined medium. Hadronization of jets is also thought to be affected by the presence of quarks and gluons. We present a systematic study of the effects of a thermal bath of partons on the hadronization of par… ▽ More QCD jets are considered important probes for quark gluon plasma created in collisions of nuclei at high energies. Their parton showers are significantly altered if they develop inside of a deconfined medium. Hadronization of jets is also thought to be affected by the presence of quarks and gluons. We present a systematic study of the effects of a thermal bath of partons on the hadronization of parton showers. We use the JETSCAPE framework to create parton showers both in vacuum and in a brick of quark gluon plasma. The brick setup allows important parameters, like the size of the plasma as well as the collective flow of partons, to be varied systematically. We hadronize the parton showers using Hybrid Hadronization, which permits shower partons to form strings with thermal partons, or to recombine directly with thermal partons as well as with each other. We find a sizeable amount of interaction of shower partons with thermal partons during hadronization, indicating a natural continuation of the interaction of jet and medium during this stage. The observed effects grow with the size of the medium. Collective flow easily transfers from the thermal partons onto the emerging jet hadrons. We also see a significant change in hadron chemistry as expected in the presence of quark recombination processes. △ Less

Submitted 27 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 6 figures

White Paper on Software Infrastructure for Advanced Nuclear Physics Computing

Authors: P. M. Jacobs, A. Boehnlein, B. Sawatzky, J. Carlson, I. Cloet, M. Diefenthaler, R. G. Edwards, K. Godbey, W. R. Hix, K. Orginos, T. Papenbrock, M. Ploskon, C. Ratti, R. Soltz, T. Wenaus, L. Andreoli, J. Brodsky, D. Brown, A. Bulgac, G. D. Chung, S. J. Coleman, J. Detwiler, A. Dubey, R. Ehlers, S. Gandolfi , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This White Paper documents the discussion and consensus conclusions of the workshop "Software Infrastructure for Advanced Nuclear Physics Computing" (SANPC 24), which was held at Jefferson Lab on June 20-22, 2024. The workshop brought together members of the US Nuclear Physics community with data scientists and funding agency representatives, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in advanced… ▽ More This White Paper documents the discussion and consensus conclusions of the workshop "Software Infrastructure for Advanced Nuclear Physics Computing" (SANPC 24), which was held at Jefferson Lab on June 20-22, 2024. The workshop brought together members of the US Nuclear Physics community with data scientists and funding agency representatives, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in advanced computing for Nuclear Physics in the coming decade. Opportunities for sustainable support and growth are identified, within the context of existing and currently planned DOE and NSF programs. △ Less

Submitted 21 April, 2025; v1 submitted 1 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Comments: Final version

Hard Photon Triggered Jets in $p$-$p$ and $A$-$A$ Collisions

Authors: C. Sirimanna, Y. Tachibana, A. Majumder, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, Y. Chen, R. Datta, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, F. Jonas, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, Y. -J. Lee , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: An investigation of high transverse momentum (high-$p_T$) photon triggered jets in proton-proton ($p$-$p$) and ion-ion ($A$-$A$) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 0.2$ and $5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$ is carried out, using the multistage description of in-medium jet evolution. Monte Carlo simulations of hard scattering and energy loss in heavy-ion collisions are performed using parameters tuned in a previous… ▽ More An investigation of high transverse momentum (high-$p_T$) photon triggered jets in proton-proton ($p$-$p$) and ion-ion ($A$-$A$) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 0.2$ and $5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$ is carried out, using the multistage description of in-medium jet evolution. Monte Carlo simulations of hard scattering and energy loss in heavy-ion collisions are performed using parameters tuned in a previous study of the nuclear modification factor ($R_{AA}$) for inclusive jets and high-$p_T$ hadrons. We obtain a good reproduction of the experimental data for photon triggered jet $R_{AA}$, as measured by the ATLAS detector, the distribution of the ratio of jet to photon $p_T$ ($X_{\rm J γ}$), measured by both CMS and ATLAS, and the photon-jet azimuthal correlation as measured by CMS. We obtain a moderate description of the photon triggered jet $I_{AA}$, as measured by STAR. A noticeable improvement in the comparison is observed when one goes beyond prompt photons and includes bremsstrahlung and decay photons, revealing their significance in certain kinematic regions, particularly at $X_{Jγ} > 1$. Moreover, azimuthal angle correlations demonstrate a notable impact of non-prompt photons on the distribution, emphasizing their role in accurately describing experimental results. This work highlights the success of the multistage model of jet modification to straightforwardly predict (this set of) photon triggered jet observables. This comparison, along with the role played by non-prompt photons, has important consequences on the inclusion of such observables in a future Bayesian analysis. △ Less

Submitted 27 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Comments: 16 pages, 10 figures

Hydrodynamic Description of the Quark-Gluon Plasma

Authors: Ulrich Heinz, Björn Schenke

Abstract: We review the history and success of applying relativistic hydrodynamics to high-energy heavy-ion collisions. We emphasize the important role hydrodynamics has played in the discovery of the quark-gluon plasma and its quantitative exploration. We review the history and success of applying relativistic hydrodynamics to high-energy heavy-ion collisions. We emphasize the important role hydrodynamics has played in the discovery of the quark-gluon plasma and its quantitative exploration. △ Less

Submitted 26 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Comments: 32 pages, 6 figures, Contribution to "Quark Gluon Plasma at Fifty - A Commemorative Journey", Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Editors: Tapan Nayak, Marco Van Leeuwen, Steffen Bass, Claudia Ratti, James Dunlop

Collectivity in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion and e+A collisions

Authors: Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We review recent theoretical progress in describing collective effects in photon+nucleus collisions. The approaches considered range from the color glass condensate where correlations are encoded in the initial state, to hydrodynamic frameworks, where a strong final state response to the initial geometry of the collision is the key ingredient to generate momentum-space correlations. We review recent theoretical progress in describing collective effects in photon+nucleus collisions. The approaches considered range from the color glass condensate where correlations are encoded in the initial state, to hydrodynamic frameworks, where a strong final state response to the initial geometry of the collision is the key ingredient to generate momentum-space correlations. △ Less

Submitted 27 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 8 pages, 1 figure, presented at "Diffraction and Low-$x$ 2024'', Trabia (Palermo, Italy), September 8-14, 2024

Finite-size effects on small-$x$ evolution and saturation in proton and nuclear targets

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Jani Penttala, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke

Abstract: Within the Color Glass Condensate effective field theory, we assess the importance of including a finite size for the target on observables sensitive to small-$x$ evolution. To this end, we study the Balitsky-Kovchegov (BK) equation with impact-parameter dependence in the initial condition. We demonstrate that neglecting the dependence on the impact parameter can result in overestimated saturation… ▽ More Within the Color Glass Condensate effective field theory, we assess the importance of including a finite size for the target on observables sensitive to small-$x$ evolution. To this end, we study the Balitsky-Kovchegov (BK) equation with impact-parameter dependence in the initial condition. We demonstrate that neglecting the dependence on the impact parameter can result in overestimated saturation effects for protons, while it has little effect for heavy nuclei at the energies available at current experiments. When fixing the nonperturbative parameters to the energy dependence of the exclusive $J/ψ$ photoproduction cross section with proton targets, predictions for lead targets are not sensitive to the applied running-coupling prescription, the scheme chosen to resum large transverse logarithms in the BK equation, or the infrared regulator in the evolution. △ Less

Submitted 1 April, 2025; v1 submitted 20 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 16 pages, 19 figures; v2: updated Fig. 8, matches published version

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.D 111 (2025) 5, 054033

Probing Nuclear Structure of Heavy Ions at the Large Hadron Collider

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We perform high-statistics simulations to study the impacts of nuclear structure on the ratios of anisotropic flow observables in $^{208}$Pb+$^{208}$Pb and $^{129}$Xe+$^{129}$Xe collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Even with $40\%$ difference in atomic numbers between $^{208}$Pb and $^{129}$Xe nuclei, the ratios of anisotropic flow in the same centrality class between the two collision systems… ▽ More We perform high-statistics simulations to study the impacts of nuclear structure on the ratios of anisotropic flow observables in $^{208}$Pb+$^{208}$Pb and $^{129}$Xe+$^{129}$Xe collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Even with $40\%$ difference in atomic numbers between $^{208}$Pb and $^{129}$Xe nuclei, the ratios of anisotropic flow in the same centrality class between the two collision systems are strongly affected by the nuclear structure inputs in the initial state. The ratios of $v_2\{4\}/v_2\{2\}$ in these collisions are sensitive to the nuclear skin thickness of the colliding nuclei, providing indirect constraints on the nuclei's neutron skin. Our model predictions serve as a benchmark to compare with experimental measurements. △ Less

Submitted 27 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Comments: 8 pages, 9 figures

Simulating Charm Quarks in IP-Glasma Initial Stage and Quark-Gluon Plasma: A Hybrid Approach for charm quark phenomenology

Authors: Charles Gale, Sangyong Jeon, Manu Kurian, Björn Schenke, Mayank Singh

Abstract: We present phenomenological findings on charm quark transport while including its energy loss in both pre-equilibrium and hydrodynamic stages of the evolution. We employed the MARTINI event generator for the production and evolution of heavy quarks in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The sensitivity of the heavy meson nuclear modification factor and flow coefficient to the early stage of hea… ▽ More We present phenomenological findings on charm quark transport while including its energy loss in both pre-equilibrium and hydrodynamic stages of the evolution. We employed the MARTINI event generator for the production and evolution of heavy quarks in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The sensitivity of the heavy meson nuclear modification factor and flow coefficient to the early stage of heavy-ion collisions and bulk medium evolution is analyzed for Pb+Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV. Our study provides insights into the interaction strength of charm quarks during the early phase and within the quark-gluon plasma. △ Less

Submitted 23 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures, Conference proceedings for 21st International Conference on Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM2024), Strasbourg (France), June 3-7, 2024

Spatial imaging of polarized deuterons at the Electron-Ion Collider

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We study diffractive vector meson production at small-$x$ in the collision of electrons and polarized deuterons $e+d^{\uparrow}$. We consider the polarization dependence of the nuclear wave function of the deuteron, which results in an azimuthal angular dependence of the produced vector meson when the deuteron is transversely polarized. The Fourier coefficients extracted from the azimuthal angular… ▽ More We study diffractive vector meson production at small-$x$ in the collision of electrons and polarized deuterons $e+d^{\uparrow}$. We consider the polarization dependence of the nuclear wave function of the deuteron, which results in an azimuthal angular dependence of the produced vector meson when the deuteron is transversely polarized. The Fourier coefficients extracted from the azimuthal angular dependence of the vector meson differential cross-section exhibit notable differences between longitudinally and transversely polarized deuterons. The angular dependence of the extracted effective deuteron radius provides direct insight into the structure of the polarized deuteron wave function. Furthermore, we observe slightly increased gluon saturation effects when the deuteron is longitudinally polarized compared to the transversely polarized case. The small-$x$ observables studied in this work will be accessible at the future Electron-Ion Collider. △ Less

Submitted 23 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Report number: INT-PUB-24-043

Bayesian Inference analysis of jet quenching using inclusive jet and hadron suppression measurements

Authors: R. Ehlers, Y. Chen, J. Mulligan, Y. Ji, A. Kumar, S. Mak, P. M. Jacobs, A. Majumder, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, R. Datta, L. Du, H. Elfner, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, S. Jeon, F. Jonas, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, Y. -J. Lee , et al. (28 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The JETSCAPE Collaboration reports a new determination of the jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ in the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) using Bayesian Inference, incorporating all available inclusive hadron and jet yield suppression data measured in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC. This multi-observable analysis extends the previously published JETSCAPE Bayesian Inference determination of… ▽ More The JETSCAPE Collaboration reports a new determination of the jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ in the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) using Bayesian Inference, incorporating all available inclusive hadron and jet yield suppression data measured in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC. This multi-observable analysis extends the previously published JETSCAPE Bayesian Inference determination of $\hat{q}$, which was based solely on a selection of inclusive hadron suppression data. JETSCAPE is a modular framework incorporating detailed dynamical models of QGP formation and evolution, and jet propagation and interaction in the QGP. Virtuality-dependent partonic energy loss in the QGP is modeled as a thermalized weakly-coupled plasma, with parameters determined from Bayesian calibration using soft-sector observables. This Bayesian calibration of $\hat{q}$ utilizes Active Learning, a machine--learning approach, for efficient exploitation of computing resources. The experimental data included in this analysis span a broad range in collision energy and centrality, and in transverse momentum. In order to explore the systematic dependence of the extracted parameter posterior distributions, several different calibrations are reported, based on combined jet and hadron data; on jet or hadron data separately; and on restricted kinematic or centrality ranges of the jet and hadron data. Tension is observed in comparison of these variations, providing new insights into the physics of jet transport in the QGP and its theoretical formulation. △ Less

Submitted 28 August, 2024; v1 submitted 15 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 20 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables, submitted to PRC; updated acknowledgements

A soft-hard framework with exact four momentum conservation for small systems

Authors: I. Soudi, W. Zhao, A. Majumder, C. Shen, J. H. Putschke, B. Boudreaux, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, Y. Chen, R. Datta, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, L. Kasper, M. Kelsey, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar , et al. (28 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: A new framework, called x-scape, for the combined study of both hard and soft transverse momentum sectors in high energy proton-proton ($p$-$p$) and proton-nucleus ($p$-$A$) collisions is set up. A dynamical initial state is set up using the 3d-Glauber model with transverse locations of hotspots within each incoming nucleon. A hard scattering that emanates from two colliding hotspots is carried ou… ▽ More A new framework, called x-scape, for the combined study of both hard and soft transverse momentum sectors in high energy proton-proton ($p$-$p$) and proton-nucleus ($p$-$A$) collisions is set up. A dynamical initial state is set up using the 3d-Glauber model with transverse locations of hotspots within each incoming nucleon. A hard scattering that emanates from two colliding hotspots is carried out using the Pythia generator. Initial state radiation from the incoming hard partons is carried out in a new module called I-matter, which includes the longitudinal location of initial splits. The energy-momentum of both the initial hard partons and their associated beam remnants is removed from the hot spots, depleting the energy-momentum available for the formation of the bulk medium. Outgoing showers are simulated using the matter generator, and results are presented for both cases, allowing for and not allowing for energy loss. First comparisons between this hard-soft model and single inclusive hadron and jet data from $p$-$p$ and minimum bias $p$-$Pb$ collisions are presented. Single hadron spectra in $p$-$p$ are used to carry out a limited (in number of parameters) Bayesian calibration of the model. Fair comparisons with data are indicative of the utility of this new framework. Theoretical studies of the correlation between jet $p_T$ and event activity at mid and forward rapidity are carried out. △ Less

Submitted 24 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: 18 pages, 15 figures

Probing gluon saturation and nuclear structure in photon-nucleus collisions

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We calculate exclusive vector meson photoproduction within the Color Glass Condensate framework in high-energy photon-nucleus scattering probed experimentally in ultra peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC and at the LHC. When the free parameters are constrained by the $γ+p$ data from HERA, we predict significant nuclear suppression for both the coherent and incoherent photoproduction cross sect… ▽ More We calculate exclusive vector meson photoproduction within the Color Glass Condensate framework in high-energy photon-nucleus scattering probed experimentally in ultra peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC and at the LHC. When the free parameters are constrained by the $γ+p$ data from HERA, we predict significant nuclear suppression for both the coherent and incoherent photoproduction cross section in the TeV range. Our results indicate that the LHC data prefers even stronger saturation effects at the highest collision energies. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the linear polarization of photons in ulra peripheral collisions generates azimuthal modulations in the decay products of the exclusively produced vector meson. We show how these measurements can probe details of the nuclear geometry, specifically the deformed structure of the uranium nuclei. △ Less

Submitted 13 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: 5 pages, 6 figures. Talk by H.M at DIS2024

Four-dimensional QCD equation of state with multiple chemical potentials

Authors: Akihiko Monnai, Grégoire Pihan, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: We construct a four-dimensional version of the equation of state (EoS) model NEOS, NEOS-4D, as a function of the temperature and chemical potentials of baryon, electric charge, and strangeness for the hot and dense QCD matter created in relativistic nuclear collisions. This EoS enables multiple conserved charge current evolution in a relativistic fluid. Input from Lattice QCD simulations and a had… ▽ More We construct a four-dimensional version of the equation of state (EoS) model NEOS, NEOS-4D, as a function of the temperature and chemical potentials of baryon, electric charge, and strangeness for the hot and dense QCD matter created in relativistic nuclear collisions. This EoS enables multiple conserved charge current evolution in a relativistic fluid. Input from Lattice QCD simulations and a hadron resonance gas model is considered for constructing the equation of state. We investigate its applicability to the relativistic hydrodynamic description of nuclear collisions and present a method for efficient numerical implementation. △ Less

Submitted 11 October, 2024; v1 submitted 17 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 11 pages, 9 figures; revised version to appear in Physical Review C

Anisotropic flow in fixed-target $^{208}$Pb+$^{20}$Ne collisions as a probe of quark-gluon plasma

Authors: Giuliano Giacalone, Wenbin Zhao, Benjamin Bally, Shihang Shen, Thomas Duguet, Jean-Paul Ebran, Serdar Elhatisari, Mikael Frosini, Timo A. Lähde, Dean Lee, Bing-Nan Lu, Yuan-Zhuo Ma, Ulf-G. Meißner, Govert Nijs, Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler, Christopher Plumberg, Tomás R. Rodríguez, Robert Roth, Wilke van der Schee, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Vittorio Somà

Abstract: The System for Measuring Overlap with Gas (SMOG2) at the LHCb detector enables the study of fixed-target ion-ion collisions at relativistic energies ($\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}\sim100$ GeV in the centre-of-mass). With input from \textit{ab initio} calculations of the structure of $^{16}$O and $^{20}$Ne, we compute 3+1D hydrodynamic predictions for the anisotropic flow of Pb+Ne and Pb+O collisions, to be t… ▽ More The System for Measuring Overlap with Gas (SMOG2) at the LHCb detector enables the study of fixed-target ion-ion collisions at relativistic energies ($\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}\sim100$ GeV in the centre-of-mass). With input from \textit{ab initio} calculations of the structure of $^{16}$O and $^{20}$Ne, we compute 3+1D hydrodynamic predictions for the anisotropic flow of Pb+Ne and Pb+O collisions, to be tested with upcoming LHCb data. This will allow the detailed study of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) formation as well as experimental tests of the predicted nuclear shapes. Elliptic flow ($v_2$) in Pb+Ne collisions is greatly enhanced compared to the Pb+O baseline due to the shape of $^{20}$Ne, which is deformed in a bowling-pin geometry. Owing to the large $^{208}$Pb radius, this effect is seen in a broad centrality range, a unique feature of this collision configuration. Larger elliptic flow further enhances the quadrangular flow ($v_4$) of Pb+Ne collisions via non-linear coupling, and impacts the sign of the kurtosis of the elliptic flow vector distribution ($c_2\{4\}$). Exploiting the shape of $^{20}$Ne proves thus an ideal method to investigate the formation of QGP in fixed-target experiments at LHCb, and demonstrates the power of SMOG2 as a tool to image nuclear ground states. △ Less

Submitted 26 February, 2025; v1 submitted 30 May, 2024; originally announced May 2024.

Comments: Updated the version that published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 134.082301

Unveiling baryon charge carriers through charge stopping in isobar collisions

Authors: Gregoire Pihan, Akihiko Monnai, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: Utilizing a comprehensive (3+1)D relativistic hydrodynamic framework with multiple conserved charge currents and charge-dependent Lattice-QCD-based equation of state, we study the baryon and electric charge number deposition at mid rapidity in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at the center of mass energy $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=200$ GeV. Comparing our predictions with upcoming experimental data fro… ▽ More Utilizing a comprehensive (3+1)D relativistic hydrodynamic framework with multiple conserved charge currents and charge-dependent Lattice-QCD-based equation of state, we study the baryon and electric charge number deposition at mid rapidity in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at the center of mass energy $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=200$ GeV. Comparing our predictions with upcoming experimental data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider will shed light on the existence of baryon junctions. △ Less

Submitted 29 May, 2024; originally announced May 2024.

Comments: 6 pages, 2 figures

Vector meson production in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions

Authors: Björn Schenke, Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We review model calculations of exclusive vector meson production in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions. We highlight differences and similarities between different dipole models and leading twist shadowing calculations. Recent color glass condensate calculations are presented with focus on effects from nuclear structure and azimuthal anisotropies driven by interference effects. We review model calculations of exclusive vector meson production in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions. We highlight differences and similarities between different dipole models and leading twist shadowing calculations. Recent color glass condensate calculations are presented with focus on effects from nuclear structure and azimuthal anisotropies driven by interference effects. △ Less

Submitted 16 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1st International Workshop on the physics of Ultra Peripheral Collisions (UPC 2023)

Photon-triggered jets as probes of multi-stage jet modification

Authors: C. Sirimanna, Y. Tachibana, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, S. Cao, Y. Chen, L. Du, R. Ehlers, H. Elfner, W. Fan, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, U. Heinz, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, S. Lee , et al. (28 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Prompt photons are created in the early stages of heavy ion collisions and traverse the QGP medium without any interaction. Therefore, photon-triggered jets can be used to study the jet quenching in the QGP medium. In this work, photon-triggered jets are studied through different jet and jet substructure observables for different collision systems and energies using the JETSCAPE framework. Since t… ▽ More Prompt photons are created in the early stages of heavy ion collisions and traverse the QGP medium without any interaction. Therefore, photon-triggered jets can be used to study the jet quenching in the QGP medium. In this work, photon-triggered jets are studied through different jet and jet substructure observables for different collision systems and energies using the JETSCAPE framework. Since the multistage evolution used in the JETSCAPE framework is adequate to describe a wide range of experimental observables simultaneously using the same parameter tune, we use the same parameters tuned for jet and leading hadron studies. The same isolation criteria used in the experimental analysis are used to identify prompt photons for better comparison. For the first time, high-accuracy JETSCAPE results are compared with multi-energy LHC and RHIC measurements to better understand the deviations observed in prior studies. This study highlights the importance of multistage evolution for the simultaneous description of experimental observables through different collision systems and energies using a single parameter tune. △ Less

Submitted 30 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 4 pages, 5 figures. Proceedings of Quark Matter 2023 - XXXth International Conference on Ultra-relativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Houston, TX, 3-9 September 2023

Progress and Challenges in Small Systems

Authors: Jorge Noronha, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We present a comprehensive review of the theoretical and experimental progress in the investigation of novel high-temperature quantum chromodynamics phenomena in small systems at both the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider. We highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with studying small systems, by which we generally mean collision systems that involve at le… ▽ More We present a comprehensive review of the theoretical and experimental progress in the investigation of novel high-temperature quantum chromodynamics phenomena in small systems at both the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider. We highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with studying small systems, by which we generally mean collision systems that involve at least one light ion or even a photon projectile. We discuss perspectives on possible future research directions to better understand the underlying physics at work in the collisions of small systems. △ Less

Submitted 11 June, 2024; v1 submitted 17 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 62 pages; 9 figures; Contribution to Quark-Gluon Plasma 6 edited by Xin-Nian Wang; v2 matched to the publish version

Measuring jet quenching with a Bayesian inference analysis of hadron and jet data by JETSCAPE

Authors: R. Ehlers, A. Angerami, R. Arora, S. A. Bass, S. Cao, Y. Chen, L. Du, H. Elfner, W. Fan, R. J. Fries, C. Gale, Y. He, U. Heinz, B. V. Jacak, P. M. Jacobs, S. Jeon, Y. Ji, L. Kasper, M. Kordell II, A. Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, J. Latessa, S. Lee, Y. -J. Lee, D. Liyanage , et al. (28 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The JETSCAPE Collaboration reports the first multi-messenger study of the QGP jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ using Bayesian inference, incorporating all available hadron and jet inclusive yield and jet substructure data from RHIC and the LHC. The theoretical model utilizes virtuality-dependent in-medium partonic energy loss coupled to a detailed dynamical model of QGP evolution. Tension is obse… ▽ More The JETSCAPE Collaboration reports the first multi-messenger study of the QGP jet transport parameter $\hat{q}$ using Bayesian inference, incorporating all available hadron and jet inclusive yield and jet substructure data from RHIC and the LHC. The theoretical model utilizes virtuality-dependent in-medium partonic energy loss coupled to a detailed dynamical model of QGP evolution. Tension is observed when constraining $\hat{q}$ for different kinematic cuts of the inclusive hadron data. The addition of substructure data is shown to improve the constraint on $\hat{q}$, without inducing tension with the constraint due to inclusive observables. These studies provide new insight into the mechanisms of jet interactions in matter, and point to next steps in the field for comprehensive understanding of jet quenching as a probe of the QGP. △ Less

Submitted 8 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings of Quark Matter 2023 - XXXth International Conference on Ultra-relativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Houston, TX, 3-9 September 2023

3D Multi-system Bayesian Calibration with Energy Conservation to Study Rapidity-dependent Dynamics of Nuclear Collisions

Authors: Andi Mankolli, Aaron Angerami, Ritu Arora, Steffen Bass, Shanshan Cao, Yi Chen, Lipei Du, Raymond Ehlers, Hannah Elfner, Wenkai Fan, Rainer J. Fries, Charles Gale, Yayun He, Ulrich Heinz, Barbara Jacak, Peter Jacobs, Sangyong Jeon, Yi Ji, Lauren Kasper, Michael Kordell II, Amit Kumar, R. Kunnawalkam-Elayavalli, Joseph Latessa, Sook H. Lee, Yen-Jie Lee , et al. (26 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Considerable information about the early-stage dynamics of heavy-ion collisions is encoded in the rapidity dependence of measurements. To leverage the large amount of experimental data, we perform a systematic analysis using three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of multiple collision systems -- large and small, symmetric and asymmetric. Specifically, we perform fully 3D multi-stage hydrodynam… ▽ More Considerable information about the early-stage dynamics of heavy-ion collisions is encoded in the rapidity dependence of measurements. To leverage the large amount of experimental data, we perform a systematic analysis using three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of multiple collision systems -- large and small, symmetric and asymmetric. Specifically, we perform fully 3D multi-stage hydrodynamic simulations initialized by a parameterized model for rapidity-dependent energy deposition, which we calibrate on the hadron multiplicity and anisotropic flow coefficients. We utilize Bayesian inference to constrain properties of the early- and late- time dynamics of the system, and highlight the impact of enforcing global energy conservation in our 3D model. △ Less

Submitted 31 December, 2023; originally announced January 2024.

The role of longitudinal decorrelations for measurements of anisotropic flow in small collision systems

Authors: Sangwook Ryu, Bjoern Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: Within a (3+1)D viscous hydrodynamic model we compute anisotropic flow in small system collisions as performed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and measured by the STAR and PHENIX Collaborations. We emphasize the importance of the rapidity dependence of the geometry for interpreting the differences encountered in measurements by the two collaborations. Within a (3+1)D viscous hydrodynamic model we compute anisotropic flow in small system collisions as performed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and measured by the STAR and PHENIX Collaborations. We emphasize the importance of the rapidity dependence of the geometry for interpreting the differences encountered in measurements by the two collaborations. △ Less

Submitted 19 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 4 pages; 2 figures; Conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2023, Sept 2023, Houston, Texas, USA

Tracing baryon and electric charge transport in isobar collisions

Authors: Gregoire Pihan, Akihiko Monnai, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen

Abstract: It is of fundamental interest to understand the carrier of conserved quantum charges within protons and nuclei at high energy. Preliminary data from isobar collisions at RHIC reveal a scaled net-baryon to net-electric charge ratio ($B/ΔQ \times ΔZ/A$) at mid-rapidity between 1.2 and 2, consistent with string junction model predictions. Here, we compute the initial stage scaled net-baryon to net-el… ▽ More It is of fundamental interest to understand the carrier of conserved quantum charges within protons and nuclei at high energy. Preliminary data from isobar collisions at RHIC reveal a scaled net-baryon to net-electric charge ratio ($B/ΔQ \times ΔZ/A$) at mid-rapidity between 1.2 and 2, consistent with string junction model predictions. Here, we compute the initial stage scaled net-baryon to net-electric charge ratio for isobar collisions. Our model incorporates a realization of the string junction model and models the nuclear structure. Our predictions identify the baseline expectations for such measurement and quantify the impact of the nuclear structure. △ Less

Submitted 19 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 4 pages; 1 figure; Conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2023, Sept 2023, Houston, Texas, USA

The effects of pseudorapidity-dependent observables on (3+1)D Bayesian Inference of relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Authors: Chun Shen, Björn Schenke, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: This proceeding highlights the effects of pseudorapidity-dependent charged hadron observables $dN^\mathrm{ch}/dη$ and $v_2^{\rm ch}(η)$ in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV on constraining the initial-state nuclear stopping for the beam remnants and the effective QGP specific shear viscosity in a recent Bayesian inference analysis using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics + hadronic transport theoret… ▽ More This proceeding highlights the effects of pseudorapidity-dependent charged hadron observables $dN^\mathrm{ch}/dη$ and $v_2^{\rm ch}(η)$ in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV on constraining the initial-state nuclear stopping for the beam remnants and the effective QGP specific shear viscosity in a recent Bayesian inference analysis using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics + hadronic transport theoretical framework. △ Less

Submitted 14 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 4 pages; 1 figure; Conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2023, Sept 2023, Houston, Texas, USA

Probing nuclear structure at the Electron-Ion Collider and in ultra-peripheral nuclear collisions

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: Within the Color Glass Condensate framework, we demonstrate that exclusive vector meson production at high energy is sensitive to the geometric deformation of the target nucleus and subnucleon scale fluctuations. Deformation of the nucleus enhances the incoherent cross section in the small $|t|$ region. Subnucleon scale fluctuations increase the incoherent cross section in the large $|t|$ region.… ▽ More Within the Color Glass Condensate framework, we demonstrate that exclusive vector meson production at high energy is sensitive to the geometric deformation of the target nucleus and subnucleon scale fluctuations. Deformation of the nucleus enhances the incoherent cross section in the small $|t|$ region. Subnucleon scale fluctuations increase the incoherent cross section in the large $|t|$ region. In ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs), larger deformation leads to a wider distribution of the minimal impact parameter $B_{min}$ required to produce a UPC. This, together with larger incoherent cross sections for larger deformation, results in smaller extracted radii. Our results demonstrate great potential for future studies of nuclear structure in UPCs and electron-ion collisions. △ Less

Submitted 12 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 4 pages, proceedings of Quark Matter 2023

Small-x structure of oxygen and neon isotopes as seen by the Large Hadron Collider

Authors: Giuliano Giacalone, Bjoern Schenke, Soeren Schlichting, Pragya Singh

Abstract: Results on collisions of $^{16}$O nuclei performed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) have been presented for the first time at Quark Matter 2023 by the STAR collaboration. $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O collisions are also expected to take place in the near future at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at much higher beam energies. We explore the potential of beam-energy-dependent studies for this syst… ▽ More Results on collisions of $^{16}$O nuclei performed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) have been presented for the first time at Quark Matter 2023 by the STAR collaboration. $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O collisions are also expected to take place in the near future at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at much higher beam energies. We explore the potential of beam-energy-dependent studies for this system to probe small-$x$ dynamics and QCD evolution. We perform 3+1D IP-Glasma simulations to predict the rapidity dependence of the initial geometry of light-ion collisions, focusing on $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O and $^{20}$Ne+$^{20}$Ne collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 70$ GeV and 7 TeV. The choice of $^{20}$Ne is motivated by its strongly elongated geometry, which may respond differently to the effect of the high-energy evolution compared to the more spherical $^{16}$O. We find that smearing induced by soft gluon production at high energy causes mild variations in the initial-state eccentricities as a function of the collision energy. These effects could be resolved in future experiments and deserve further investigation. △ Less

Submitted 12 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures, Contribution to Quark Matter 2023

Energy dependent nuclear suppression from gluon saturation in exclusive vector meson production

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke

Abstract: We calculate the exclusive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ photoproduction cross section at high energies from the Color Glass Condensate approach. The results are compared to the center-of-mass energy dependent $γ+A\to\mathrm{J}/ψ+A$ cross sections extracted from measurements in ultra peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC and LHC. We predict strong saturation-driven nuclear suppression at high energies, while L… ▽ More We calculate the exclusive $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ photoproduction cross section at high energies from the Color Glass Condensate approach. The results are compared to the center-of-mass energy dependent $γ+A\to\mathrm{J}/ψ+A$ cross sections extracted from measurements in ultra peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC and LHC. We predict strong saturation-driven nuclear suppression at high energies, while LHC data prefers even stronger suppression. We explore the effect of nucleon shape fluctuations on the nuclear suppression in the coherent and incoherent cross sections, and show that the most recent measurement of the $|t|$-differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/ψ$ cross section prefers large event-by-event fluctuations of the nucleon substructure in heavy nuclei, comparable to that found for a free proton. △ Less

Submitted 16 April, 2024; v1 submitted 7 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures. v2 published in PRD

Report number: INT-PUB-24-008

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. D 109, L071504 (2024)

Hybrid Hadronization of Jet Showers from $e^++e^-$ to $A+A$ with JETSCAPE

Authors: Cameron Parker, Aaron Angerami, Ritu Arora, Steffen Bass, Shanshan Cao, Yi Chen, Raymond Ehlers, Hannah Elfner, Wenkai Fan, Rainer J. Fries, Charles Gale, Yayun He, Ulrich Heinz, Barbara Jacak, Peter Jacobs, Sangyong Jeon, Yi Ji, Lauren Kasper, Michael Kordell II, Amit Kumar, Joseph Latessa, Yen-Jie Lee, Roy Lemmon, Dananjaya Liyanage, Arthur Lopez , et al. (26 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In this talk we review jet production in a large variety of collision systems using the JETSCAPE event generator and Hybrid Hadronization. Hybrid Hadronization combines quark recombination, applicable when distances between partons in phase space are small, and string fragmentation appropriate for dilute parton systems. It can therefore smoothly describe the transition from very dilute parton syst… ▽ More In this talk we review jet production in a large variety of collision systems using the JETSCAPE event generator and Hybrid Hadronization. Hybrid Hadronization combines quark recombination, applicable when distances between partons in phase space are small, and string fragmentation appropriate for dilute parton systems. It can therefore smoothly describe the transition from very dilute parton systems like $e^++e^-$ to full $A+A$ collisions. We test this picture by using JETSCAPE to generate jets in various systems. Comparison to experimental data in $e^++e^-$ and $p+p$ collisions allows for a precise tuning of vacuum baseline parameters in JETSCAPE and Hybrid Hadronization. Proceeding to systems with jets embedded in a medium, we study in-medium hadronization for jet showers. We quantify the effects of an ambient medium, focusing in particular on the dependence on the collective flow and size of the medium. Our results clarify the effects we expect from in-medium hadronization of jets on observables like fragmentation functions, hadron chemistry and jet shape. △ Less

Submitted 7 November, 2023; v1 submitted 31 October, 2023; originally announced October 2023.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures, Hard Probes 2023 conference, accepted for publication in Proceedings of Science: version 2, references added, typos fixed

Effects of nuclear structure and quantum interference on diffractive vector meson production in ultra-peripheral nuclear collisions

Authors: Heikki Mäntysaari, Farid Salazar, Björn Schenke, Chun Shen, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: We study diffractive vector meson production in ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) of heavy nuclei, utilizing a theoretical framework based on the Color Glass Condensate (CGC) formalism. We focus on Au+Au, U+U, Ru+Ru, Zr+Zr, and Pb+Pb collisions, examining the transverse momentum dependence of vector meson production cross-sections and ${\rm cos(2ΔΦ)}$ asymmetries in the decay product distribution… ▽ More We study diffractive vector meson production in ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) of heavy nuclei, utilizing a theoretical framework based on the Color Glass Condensate (CGC) formalism. We focus on Au+Au, U+U, Ru+Ru, Zr+Zr, and Pb+Pb collisions, examining the transverse momentum dependence of vector meson production cross-sections and ${\rm cos(2ΔΦ)}$ asymmetries in the decay product distributions to explore the role of nuclear geometry. The angular modulation is due to the linear polarization of the incoming photons and quantum interference effects. We extract nuclear radii and find them to be consistent with experimental data from the STAR collaboration. The amplitudes of the ${\rm cos(2ΔΦ)}$ modulation in the cross-section and the extracted radii depend on the nuclear geometry. This dependence is dominated by the geometry-dependent variation of the minimum impact parameter required for ultra-peripheral collisions. △ Less

Submitted 23 October, 2023; originally announced October 2023.

Viscosities of the Baryon-Rich Quark-Gluon Plasma from Beam Energy Scan Data

Authors: Chun Shen, Björn Schenke, Wenbin Zhao

Abstract: This work presents the first Bayesian inference study of the (3+1)D dynamics of relativistic heavy-ion collisions and Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) viscosities using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics + hadronic transport theoretical framework and data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Beam Energy Scan program. Robust constraints on initial state nuclear stopping and the baryon chemic… ▽ More This work presents the first Bayesian inference study of the (3+1)D dynamics of relativistic heavy-ion collisions and Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) viscosities using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics + hadronic transport theoretical framework and data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Beam Energy Scan program. Robust constraints on initial state nuclear stopping and the baryon chemical potential-dependent shear viscosity of the produced quantum chromodynamic (QCD) matter are obtained. The specific bulk viscosity of the QCD matter is found to exhibit a preferred maximum around $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 19.6$ GeV. This result allows for the alternative interpretation of a reduction (and/or increase) of the speed of sound relative to that of the employed lattice-QCD based equation of state (EOS) for net baryon chemical potential $μ_B \sim 0.2\, (0.4)$ GeV. △ Less

Submitted 16 October, 2023; originally announced October 2023.

Comments: 5 pages, 3 figures

Early time dynamics far from equilibrium via holography

Authors: Matthias Kaminski, Casey Cartwright, Marco Knipfer, Michael F. Wondrak, Björn Schenke, Marcus Bleicher

Abstract: We investigate the early time dynamics of heavy ion collisions studying the time evolution of the energy-momentum tensor as well as energy-momentum correlations within a uniformly thermalizing holographic QGP. From these quantities, we suggest a far-from equilibrium definition of shear viscosity, which is a crucial property of QCD matter as it significantly determines the generation of elliptic fl… ▽ More We investigate the early time dynamics of heavy ion collisions studying the time evolution of the energy-momentum tensor as well as energy-momentum correlations within a uniformly thermalizing holographic QGP. From these quantities, we suggest a far-from equilibrium definition of shear viscosity, which is a crucial property of QCD matter as it significantly determines the generation of elliptic flow already at early times. During an exemplary initial heating phase of the holographic QGP the shear viscosity of entropy density ratio decreases down to 60%, followed by an overshoot to 110% of the near-equilibrium value, $η/s=1/(4π)$. Implications for the QCD QGP are discussed. Subsequently, we consider a holographic QGP which is Bjorken-expanding. Its energy-momentum tensor components have a known hydrodynamic attractor to which all time evolutions collapse independent of the initial conditions. Based on this, we propose a definition for a far from equilibrium speed of sound, and analytically compute its hydrodynamic attractor. Subjecting this Bjorken-expanding plasma to an external magnetic field and an axial chemical potential, we study the chiral magnetic effect far from equilibrium. △ Less

Submitted 12 September, 2023; originally announced September 2023.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures, proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Hard and Electromagnetic Probes of High Energy Nuclear Collisions (Hard Probes 2023)