Non-linear waves in a Quark Gluon Plasma

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-linear hydrodynamic effects in quark-gluon plasma can lead to localized wave structures, potentially explaining observed broadening in jet correlations in heavy-ion collisions.

Contribution

It introduces a non-linear hydrodynamic model for quark-gluon plasma that predicts soliton-like wave propagation, offering an alternative to linear wave explanations.

Findings

Localized perturbations can travel long distances in QGP.

Non-linear effects can produce soliton-like solutions.

Model reproduces broadening of away-side jet peaks.

Abstract

Recent measurements at RHIC suggest that a nearly perfect fluid of quarks and gluons is produced in AA collisions. Moreover the passage of supersonic partons through this medium seems to produce waves. These waves might pile up and form Mach cones, which would manifest themselves in the so called away-side jets, forming a broad structure in the angular distribution of the particles recoiling against a trigger jet of moderate energy. In most of the theoretical descriptions of these phenomena, the hydrodynamic equations are linearized for simplicity. We propose an alternative explanation for the observed broadening of the away-side peak. It is based on hydrodynamics but it is a consequence of the non-linearities of the equations, which instead of simple waves may lead to localized waves or even solitons. We investigate in detail the consequences of including the non-linear terms. We use a simple equation of state for the QGP and expand the hydrodynamic equations around equilibrium configurations. The resulting differential equations describe the propagation of perturbations in the energy density. We solve them numerically and find that localized perturbations can propagate for long distances in the plasma. Under certain conditions our solutions mimick the propagation of Korteweg - de Vries solitons.