Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 1806.08848

A linearized Boltzmann--Langevin model for heavy quark transport in hot and dense QCD matter

Abstract

In relativistic heavy-ion collisions, the production of heavy quarks at large transverse momenta is strongly suppressed compared to proton-proton collisions. In addition an unexpectedly large azimuthal anisotropy was observed for the emission of charmed hadrons in non-central collisions. Both observations pose challenges to the theoretical understanding of the coupling between heavy quarks and the quark-gluon plasma produced in these collisions. Transport models for the evolution of heavy quarks in a QCD medium offer the opportunity to study these effects - two of the most successful approaches are based on the linearized Boltzmann transport equation and the Langevin equation. In this work, we develop a hybrid transport model that combines the strengths of both of these approaches: heavy quarks scatter with medium partons using matrix-elements calculated in perturbative QCD, while between these discrete hard scatterings they evolve using a Langevin equation with empirical transport coefficients to capture the non-perturbative soft part of the interaction. With the hybrid transport model coupled to a state-of-the-art event-by-event bulk evolution model based on 2+1D relativistic viscous fluid dynamics, we study the azimuthal anisotropy and nuclear modification factor of heavy quarks in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV. The parameters of our model are calibrated using a Bayesian analysis comparing to available $D$-meson and $B$-meson data at the LHC. Using the calibrated model, we study the implications on heavy-flavor transport properties and predict novel observables.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Weiyao Ke, Yingru Xu, Steffen A. Bass. 2018-06-22. A linearized Boltzmann--Langevin model for heavy quark transport in hot and dense QCD matter. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.98.064901

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Three-dimensional orbital-free density functional theory description of nuclear pasta in the inner crust of neutron stars

Background: In the bottom layer of the inner crust of neutron stars, various crystalline structures are expected to emerge that are collectively called ``nuclear pasta.'' It is desirable to know properties of nuclear pasta in a wide variety of conditions for astrophysical applications. However, three-dimensional fully-microscopic calculations require huge computational effort that makes it still challenging to carry out systematic calculations. Purpose: In this paper, we propose an efficient method to calculate various nuclear pasta configurations in a non-empirical manner, based on three-dimensional orbital-free density functional theory (OF-DFT). We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach by applying it to densities across the inner crust of neutron stars. Methods: As a first application of OF-DFT for nuclear pasta, we employ the second-order extended Thomas-Fermi (ETF) expansion of Skyrme energy density functional (EDF) to construct an EDF that depends only on neutron and proton number densities. Based on the variational principle, we derive Euler-Lagrange equations to determine optimal neutron and proton density distributions and solve them self-consistently. In this work, we call this approach the self-consistent ETF (SC-ETF) method. Results: We perform three-dimensional SC-ETF calculations with various box sizes. We successfully obtain various pasta structures, depending on given average nucleon number densities, consistent with earlier studies. Moreover, we find other exotic structures, such as bending and/or connected rods, slabs with a hole, etc., underlining the advantage of the self-consistent formalism. Conclusions: We demonstrate that the SC-ETF method proposed in this study, which can be regarded as a realization of OF-DFT, is a promising tool that can efficiently describe complex pasta structures without empirical assumptions on geometric shapes.

nucl-th

Microscopic analysis of M1 scissors mode in $^{254}$No

The low-energy $M1$ orbital scissors mode (SM) was recently observed by Oslo group in deformed nucleus $^{254}$No. This is the heaviest nucleus where SM was ever experimentally found. We propose the analysis of SM, together with the spin-flip $M1$ resonance, within fully self-consistent Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation (QRPA) with Skyrme forces SG2, SLy4 and SLy5. The impact of "tensor" $J^2$-term, introduced by perturbative (on the base of SG2) and consistent (SLy5) ways, is analyzed and shown to be noticeable but not decisive. The deformation-induced coupling of $M1$ and $E2$ states is inspected. The calculations reasonably describe Oslo's experimental data. The best agreement is obtained for SLy5. A fine structure of SM in $^{254}$No is predicted. A significant constructive interference of the dominant orbital and minor spin-flip contributions to $M1$ strength at SM energy region is found. What is remarkable, our analysis of distributions of the convective nuclear currents challenges the scissors-like flow usually assumed for SM.

nucl-th

Systematic Study of Proton, Two-Proton, Alpha, and Cluster Radioactivity Half-Lives based on the Deformed Gamow-like Model and Tabular Prior-data Fitted Network ($\mathrm{TabPFN}$)

A hybrid framework combining the deformed Gamow-like model ($\mathrm{DGLM}$) with the Tabular Prior-data Fitted Network ($\mathrm{TabPFN}$) is developed to improve half-life predictions for two-proton emission, proton emission, $α$ decay, and cluster radioactivity. A total of 583 radioactive nuclei are investigated, including 17 two-proton emitters, 42 proton emitters, 498 $α$ emitters, and 26 cluster emitters. Among the four considered models, $\mathrm{DGLM}^{b}+\mathrm{TabPFN}$ achieves the best overall performance, with $σ_{\mathrm{RMS}}=0.423$, corresponding to an improvement of approximately $82.2\%$ over $\mathrm{DGLM}^{b}$. The model parameters are optimized for each decay mode using the least-squares method. After introducing $\mathrm{TabPFN}$, the prediction errors for proton emission and $α$ decay are reduced by approximately $80.6\%$ and $87.6\%$, respectively. For $α$ decay, the training, test, and overall RMSEs are 0.208, 0.305, and 0.240, indicating good generalization capability without evident overfitting. The model also reproduces the systematic evolution of $α$-decay half-lives and the shell-closure effect around $N=126$. These results demonstrate that combining $\mathrm{DGLM}$ with $\mathrm{TabPFN}$ significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of radioactive-decay half-life predictions while retaining the physical interpretability of the original model.

nucl-th