Work

The enhancement of v4 in nuclear collisions at the highest densities signals a first-order phase transition

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: The beam energy dependence of $v_{4}$ v4 (the quadrupole moment of the transverse radial flow) is sensitive to the nuclear equation of state (EoS) in mid-central Au + Au collisions at the energy range of $ 3 < \sqrt{s_{NN}} < 30$ 3<sNN<30 GeV, which is investigated within the hadronic transport model JAM. Different equations of state, namely, a free hadron gas, a first-order phase transition and a crossover are compared. An enhancement of $v_{4}$ v4 at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} \approx 6$ sNN≈6 GeV is predicted for an EoS with a first-order phase transition. This enhanced $v_{4}$ v4 flow is driven by both the enhancement of $v_{2}$ v2 as well as the positive contribution to $v_{4}$ v4 from the squeeze-out of spectator particles which turn into participants due to the admixture of the strong collective flow in the shocked, compressed nuclear matter.

Source: The European Physical Journal A

DOI: 10.1140/epja/i2018-12626-y

Authors: Yasushi Nara, Jan Steinheimer, Horst Stoecker

Institutions: Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Akita International University, Goethe University Frankfurt, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research

Language: English

Topic: High-Energy Particle Collisions Research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990

Funders: Samson, China Scholarship Council, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science