Classical vs. quantum corrections to jet broadening in a weakly coupled QGP

TL;DR

This paper analyzes quantum and classical corrections to jet broadening in a weakly coupled quark-gluon plasma, clarifying their origins and significance for understanding jet quenching in heavy-ion collisions.

Contribution

It computes double-logarithmic quantum corrections to jet quenching parameter and clarifies their relation to classical corrections, advancing the understanding of jet quenching mechanisms.

Findings

Quantum corrections at order g^2 are computed.

Classical and quantum correction regions are distinguished.

Results improve understanding of jet quenching in QGP.

Abstract

We compute double-logarithmically enhanced corrections to $\widehat{q}$ at relative order $O(g^2)$ in the setting of a weakly coupled quark-gluon plasma, observing how the thermal scale affects the region of phase space, which gives rise to these corrections. We furthermore clarify how the region of phase from which these corrections are borne is situated with respect to that from which the classical corrections arise at relative order $O(g)$. This represents a significant step towards our eventual goal of understanding which class of corrections dominate, thereby pushing forward our quantitative grasp on the phenomenon of jet quenching in heavy-ion collisions.