Nonequilibrium distribution functions of nucleons in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how nucleon momenta evolve and distribute in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions, modeling the process based on the number of collisions each nucleon undergoes rather than time.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to describe nucleon distributions by parameterizing their evolution through collision count, providing a new perspective on nonequilibrium dynamics.

Findings

Derived nonequilibrium distribution functions based on collision counts.

Model links nucleon distributions to the number of collisions before freeze-out.

Offers a statistical ensemble approach for nucleons post-collision.

Abstract

The collision smearing of the nucleon momenta about their initial values during relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions is investigated. To a certain degree, our model belongs to the transport type, and we investigate the evolution of the nucleon system created at a nucleus-nucleus collision. However, we parameterize this development by the number of collisions of every particle during evolution rather than by the time variable. It is assumed that the group of nucleons which leave the system after the same number of collisions can be joined in a particular statistical ensemble. The nucleon nonequilibrium distribution functions, which depend on a certain number of collisions of a nucleon before freeze-out, are derived.