Direct photons from relativistic heavy-ion collisions

TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of direct photons as probes in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, highlighting their ability to reveal initial plasma conditions, anisotropy, and energy loss, with a focus on developments at SPS and RHIC energies.

Contribution

It summarizes theoretical and experimental progress in using direct photons to study quark-gluon plasma properties in heavy-ion collisions.

Findings

Direct photons provide insights into initial temperature and anisotropy.

Photon measurements reveal energy loss mechanisms of quarks.

Results at SPS and RHIC energies support photon-based plasma diagnostics.

Abstract

We recall the seminal developments in the study of radiation of direct photons from relativistic heavy ion collisions, which have helped to enhance the scope of single photons as a probe of the quark gluon plasma considerably. There is a mounting evidence that in addition to providing information about the initial temperature of the plasma as envisaged originally, these radiations measure the momentum anisotropy of the deconfined quarks and gluons, energy loss of the quarks, the initial spatial asymmetry of the plasma, and the history of evolution of the system. After a brief description of the theoretical developments and results for direct photons at SPS energies, we discuss the expectations and findings at RHIC.