Zeroing in on jet quenching: a PHENIX perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent PHENIX measurements of jet quenching observables, highlighting how combining multiple measurements enhances understanding of energy loss mechanisms in quark-gluon plasma.

Contribution

It presents new gamma-hadron correlation results and discusses the integration of various jet quenching observables for improved insights.

Findings

Observation of enhancement in low pT associated hadrons

Evidence of medium response contribution

Advancements in full jet reconstruction techniques

Abstract

We review recent progresses on jet quenching measurements by PHENIX. With increased statistics, PHENIX has gone beyond the single hadron suppression $R_{\rm AA}$, and made measurements on multiple jet quenching observables, such as $v_2$, $I_{\rm AA}$ and $v_2^{I_{\rm AA}}$. We argue that, by combining these observables together, one can achieve a better understanding of the energy loss mechanism. We present new $\gamma$-hadron correlation results with associated hadrons extended to low $p_T$; an enhancement has been observed, suggesting a contribution of genuine medium response that is relatively unbiased by the initial geometry fluctuations. The status of full jet reconstruction and future perspective of PHENIX jet quenching program are discussed.