No Arabic abstract
We calculate the cross section and transverse-momentum ($P_{bot}$) distribution of the Breit-Wheeler process in relativistic heavy-ion collisions and their dependence on collision impact parameter ($b$). To accomplish this, the Equivalent Photon Approximation (EPA) was generalized in a more differential way compared to the approach traditionally used for inclusive collisions. In addition, a lowest-order QED calculation with straightline assumption was performed as a standard baseline for comparison. The cross section as a function of $b$ is consistent with previous calculations using the equivalent one-photon distribution function. Most importantly, the $P_{bot}$ shape from this model is strongly dependent on impact parameter and can quantitatively explain the $P_{bot}$ broadening observed recently by RHIC and LHC experiments. This broadening effect from the initial QED field strength should be considered in studying possible trapped magnetic field and multiple scattering in a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). The impact-parameter sensitive observable also provides a controllable tool for studying extreme electromagnetic fields.
The dilepton transverse momentum spectra and invariant mass spectra for low $p_T <0.15$~GeV/c in Au+Au collisions of different centralities at $sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV are studied within the parton-hadron-string dynamics (PHSD) transport approach. The PHSD describes the whole evolution of the system on a microscopic basis, incorporates hadronic and partonic degrees-of-freedom, the dynamical hadronization of partons and hadronic rescattering. For dilepton production in p+p, p+A and A+A reactions the PHSD incorporates the leading hadronic and partonic channels (also for heavy flavors) and includes in-medium effects such as a broadening of the vector meson spectral functions in hadronic matter and a modification of initial heavy-flavor correlations by interactions with the partonic and hadronic medium. The transport calculations reproduce well the momentum integrated invariant mass spectra from the STAR Collaboration for minimum bias Au+Au collisions at $sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV, while the description of the STAR data - when gating on low $p_T < 0.15$ GeV/c - is getting worse when going from central to peripheral collisions. An analysis of the transverse momentum spectra shows that the data for peripheral (60-80%) collisions are well reproduced for $p_T>0.2$ GeV/c while the strong peak at low $p_T < 0.15$ GeV/c, that shows up in the experimental data for the mass bins ($0.4 < M < 0.7$ GeV and $1.2 < M < 2.6$ GeV), is fully missed by the PHSD and cannot be explained by the standard in-medium effects. This provides a new puzzle for microscopic descriptions of low $p_T$ dilepton data from the STAR Collaboration.
Ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions are expected to produce the strongest electromagnetic fields in the known Universe. These highly-Lorentz contracted fields can manifest themselves as linearly polarized quasi-real photons that can interact via the Breit-Wheeler process to produce lepton anti-lepton pairs. The energy and momentum distribution of the produced dileptons carry information about the strength and spatial distribution of the colliding fields. Recently it has been demonstrated that photons from these fields can interact even in heavy-ion collisions with hadronic overlap, providing a purely electromagnetic probe of the produced medium. In this review we discuss the recent theoretical progress and experimental advances for mapping the ultra-strong electromagnetic fields produced in heavy-ion collisions via measurement of the Breit-Wheeler process.
Higher order symmetric cumulants of global collective observables in heavy ion collisions are studied. The symmetric cumulants can be straightforwardly constructed for scalar observables: the average transverse momentum, the multiplicity, and the squares of harmonic flow vectors. Third and fourth order cumulants are calculated in the hydrodynamic model. A linear predictor of the average transverse momentum and harmonic flow coefficients in a collision is used to predict the value of the cumulants from the moments of the initial distribution. The symmetric cumulants divided by the averages (or the standard deviations) of the considered observables can be used as a fine tool to study correlations present in the initial state of the collision.
Transverse-mass spectra, their inverse slopes and mean transverse masses in relativistic collisions of heavy nuclei are analyzed in a wide range of incident energies 2.7 GeV $le sqrt{s_{NN}}le$ 39 GeV. The analysis is performed within the three-fluid model employing three different equations of state (EoSs): a purely hadronic EoS, an EoS with the first-order phase transition and that with a smooth crossover transition into deconfined state. Calculations show that inverse slopes and mean transverse masses of all the species (with the exception of antibaryons within the hadronic scenario) exhibit a step-like behavior similar to that observed for mesons and protons in available experimental data. This step-like behavior takes place for all considered EoSs and results from the freeze-out dynamics rather than is a signal of the deconfinement transition. A good reproduction of experimental inverse slopes and mean transverse masses for light species (up to proton) is achieved within all the considered scenarios. The freeze-out parameters are precisely the same as those used for reproduction of particles yields in previous papers of this series. This became possible because the freeze-out stage is not completely equilibrium.
We propose the skewness of mean transverse momentum, $langle p_t rangle$, fluctuations as a fine probe of hydrodynamic behavior in relativistic nuclear collisions. We describe how the skewness of the $langle p_t rangle$ distribution can be analyzed experimentally, and we use hydrodynamic simulations to predict its value. We predict in particular that $langle p_t rangle$ fluctuations have positive skew, which is significantly larger than if particles were emitted independently. We elucidate the origin of this result by deriving generic formulas relating the fluctuations of $langle p_t rangle$ to the fluctuations of the early-time thermodynamic quantities. We postulate that the large positive skewness of $langle p_t rangle$ fluctuations is a generic prediction of hydrodynamic models.