On the accuracy of using Fokker Planck equation in heavy ion collision

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the use of the Fokker-Planck equation for modeling heavy quark transport in heavy ion collisions, highlighting uncertainties and ambiguities in predicting nuclear modification factors.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative assessment of the uncertainties introduced by the Fokker-Planck approach in heavy quark transport modeling.

Findings

Fokker-Planck approach introduces moderate uncertainties in drag and diffusion coefficients.

Significant ambiguities exist in theoretical predictions of nuclear modification factor R_AA.

Quantitative error estimation is provided based on recent developments.

Abstract

Application of Fokker-Planck equation to heavy quark transport in the evolving medium created in heavy ion collision is critically scrutinised. We realise that the approach introduces a moderate uncertainty in drag and diffusion coefficients culminating in huge ambiguity in the theoretical prediction of nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}$. Quantitative estimation of the error is presented by considering recent developments in this field.