Photons from nuclear collisions at RHIC energies

TL;DR

This paper models photon production in high-energy heavy ion collisions at RHIC using relativistic hydrodynamics, accounting for various sources including jets, and successfully reproduces experimental photon spectra and flow measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model that includes jet energy loss and gain effects within hydrodynamics to accurately predict photon observables at RHIC.

Findings

Photon spectra match PHENIX data

R_{AA} and v_2 are consistent with measurements

Jet energy modifications significantly impact photon yields

Abstract

We model the hot and dense strongly interacting mater produced in high energy heavy ion collisions using relativistic hydrodynamics. Several different sources of real photons produced during these collisions are considered and their relative importance is assessed. We include contributions from QCD jets, which are allowed to loose and gain energy as they proceed through the hot matter. This is treated within the AMY formalism. We obtain photon spectra, R_{AA}, and v_2 in agreement with measurements performed by the PHENIX collaboration.