Away-side asymmetry of jet correlation relative to reaction plane: a sensitive probe for jet in-medium modifications

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new azimuthal correlation observable to detect asymmetries in jet modifications caused by the medium in heavy-ion collisions, which can differentiate between theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces a novel measurement method based on left/right asymmetry in azimuth correlations to probe jet-medium interactions in Au+Au collisions.

Findings

Asymmetry could reach up to 30% in magnitude.

The observable can distinguish different jet quenching models.

Model estimates suggest measurable effects in experiments.

Abstract

We proposed a new observable based on two particle azimuth correlation to study the away-side medium response in mid-central Au+Au collisions. We argue that a left/right asymmetry may appear at the away-side by selecting triggers separately in the left and right side of the reaction plane. A simple model estimation suggests that the magnitude of such asymmetry could reach 30% with details depends on the medium response mechanisms. This asymmetry, if observed, can help to distinguish competing theoretical models.