Transverse momentum-flow correlations in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the correlation between transverse momentum and flow asymmetries in heavy-ion collisions, revealing model predictions and sensitivity to initial energy deposition mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a new correlation coefficient between transverse momentum and flow coefficients, providing insights into collision dynamics and initial conditions.

Findings

Positive correlation between transverse momentum and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions.

Almost no correlation between transverse momentum and triangular flow in Pb-Pb collisions.

High sensitivity of the correlation observable to energy deposition mechanisms in p-Pb collisions.

Abstract

The correlation between the transverse momentum and the azimuthal asymmetry the flow is studied. A correlation coefficient is defined between the average transverse momentum of hadrons emitted in an event and the square of the elliptic or triangular flow coefficient. The hydrodynamic model predicts a positive correlation of the transverse momentum with the elliptic flow, and almost no correlation with the triangular flow in Pb-Pb collisions at LHC energies. In p-Pb collisions the new correlation observable is very sensitive to the mechanism of energy deposition in the first stage of the collision.