An estimate of QGP viscosity from STAR data on $\phi$ mesons

TL;DR

This paper estimates the quark-gluon plasma viscosity using STAR data on phi mesons in Au+Au collisions, employing dissipative hydrodynamics with a lattice-based equation of state, and finds a value of η/s around 0.15.

Contribution

It provides a phenomenological estimate of QGP viscosity from experimental data using a specific hydrodynamic model with a lattice-based equation of state.

Findings

Estimated η/s = 0.15 ± 0.05 ± 0.03.

STAR data are consistent with the viscosity estimate.

Analysis supports the use of dissipative hydrodynamics for QGP properties.

Abstract

In the Israel-Stewart's theory of dissipative hydrodynamics, with a lattice based equation of state, where the confinement-deconfinement transition is a cross-over at $T_{co}$=196 MeV, we have analysed the STAR data on $\phi$ meson production in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV. From a simultaneous fit to $\phi$ mesons multiplicity, mean $p_T$ and integrated $v_2$, we obtain a phenomenological estimate of QGP viscosity, $\eta/s =0.15 \pm 0.05 \pm 0.03$, the first error is due to the experimental uncertainty in STAR measurements, the second reflects the uncertainties in initial and final conditions of the fluid. A host of STAR data, e.g. $\phi$ multiplicity, integrated $v_2$, mean $p_T$, $p_T$ spectra ($p_T <$3 GeV), in central Au+Au collisions, are consistent with the estimate of viscosity.