Real and virtual direct photon measurements with ALICE

TL;DR

This paper presents recent measurements of real and virtual photons in lead-lead collisions at 5.02 TeV by ALICE, comparing results with advanced models and discussing future experimental improvements and prospects at the LHC.

Contribution

It provides the latest photon measurements in heavy-ion collisions and discusses experimental advancements and future measurement possibilities at the LHC.

Findings

Photon spectra agree with state-of-the-art models

Measurements extend previous energy ranges

Experimental techniques are being improved for future studies

Abstract

In this contribution the latest measurements of real and virtual photons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV from the ALICE Collaboration are presented. The extracted photon spectra are compared to predictions from state-of-the-art models that explicitly include the whole evolution of the heavy-ion collision as well as measurements at lower energies. Experimental developments that in the future will help to extend the range and procession of the measurements are introduced before concluding with an outlook to possible future measurements at the LHC.