Model and parameter dependence of heavy quark energy loss in a hot and dense medium

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the initial state and properties of a quark-gluon plasma influence heavy quark energy loss and flow patterns, highlighting the roles of medium anisotropy, flow, and quark flavor in heavy-ion collisions.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed study of heavy quark energy loss dependence on medium configuration and interaction strength using the Langevin framework.

Findings

Both geometric anisotropy and flow profiles significantly affect heavy quark energy loss.

The relative contributions of charm and bottom quarks influence the transverse momentum dependence of quenching.

Interaction strength between heavy quarks and medium alters flow and energy loss patterns.

Abstract

Within the framework of the Langevin equation, we study the energy loss of heavy quark due to quasi-elastic multiple scatterings in a quark-gluon plasma created by relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We investigate how the initial configuration of the quark-gluon plasma as well as its properties affect the final state spectra and elliptic flow of D meson and non-photonic electron. We find that both the geometric anisotropy of the initial quark-gluon plasma and the flow profiles of the hydrodynamic medium play important roles in the heavy quark energy loss process and the development of elliptic flow. The relative contribution from charm and bottom quarks is found to affect the transverse momentum dependence of the quenching and flow patterns of heavy flavor decay electron; such influence depends on the interaction strength between heavy quark and the medium.