Radiative contribution to $p_{\perp}$-broadening of fast partons in a quark-gluon plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates how radiative processes affect the transverse momentum broadening of fast partons in a quark-gluon plasma, revealing a negative correction that contrasts with previous positive predictions.

Contribution

It provides the first calculation beyond the soft gluon approximation showing that radiative corrections can be negative and significant in heavy ion collision conditions.

Findings

Radiative correction to $\langle p_{\perp}^2\rangle$ is negative.

The correction can be comparable in magnitude to nonradiative contributions.

Contradicts earlier predictions of positive radiative contributions.

Abstract

The contribution of radiative processes to $p_\perp$-broadening of fast partons in a quark-gluon plasma is investigated. Calculations are performed beyond the soft gluon approximation. It is shown that the radiative correction to $\langle p_{\perp}^2\rangle$ for conditions of heavy ion collisions at RHIC and LHC is negative and can be comparable in absolute value with the nonradiative contribution. This prediction differs radically from the essentially positive contribution of radiative processes to $p_{\perp}$-broadening, which was predicted earlier in the literature.