Measurement of D$^0$ v$_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=2.76$ TeV with ALICE at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurement of D$^0$ meson elliptic flow ($v_2$) in Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV with ALICE, providing insights into charm quark thermalization in the quark-gluon plasma.

Contribution

It presents the first measurement of D$^0$ meson $v_2$ at the LHC, highlighting potential collective behavior of charm quarks in heavy-ion collisions.

Findings

Hint of non-zero $v_2$ for D$^0$ mesons in 2<p_t<5 GeV/c

Provides preliminary data on charm quark flow

Supports the study of charm quark thermalization

Abstract

The study particle azimuthal anisotropy in heavy-ion collisions provides insight on the collective hydrodynamic expansion of the system and on its equation of state. The measurement of the elliptic flow, $v_2$, of D mesons compared to that of light hadrons is expected to be sensitive to the degree of thermalization of charm quarks within the quark-gluon plasma. The first measurement of D$^0$ meson $v_2$ with the ALICE detector at the LHC will be presented. The preliminary results obtained with the first Pb-Pb run at LHC show a hint of non-zero $v_2$ in $2<p_{\rm t} <5 $ GeV/$c$.