Linearized Boltzmann transport model for jet propagation in the quark-gluon plasma: Heavy quark evolution

A linearized Boltzmann transport (LBT) model coupled with hydrodynamical background is established to describe the evolution of jet shower partons and medium excitations in high energy heavy-ion collisions. We extend the LBT model to include both elastic and inelastic processes for light and heavy partons in the quark-gluon plasma. A hybrid model of fragmentation and coalescence is developed for the hadronization of heavy quarks. Within this framework, we investigate how heavy flavor observables depend on various ingredients, such as different energy loss and hadronization mechanisms, the momentum and temperature dependences of the transport coefficients, and the radial flow of the expanding fireball. Our model calculations show good descriptions of the $D$ meson suppression and elliptic flow observed at the Larege Hadron Collider and the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The prediction for the Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02$ TeV is provided.

Figure 1

Heavy quark energy loss due to elastic scatterings in a static medium: semianalytical calculation vs Monte-Carlo simulation.

Figure 2

Energy of radiated gluons from heavy quarks in a static medium: semianalytical calculation vs Monte-Carlo simulation.

Figure 3

Elastic vs inelastic energy loss of heavy quarks in a static medium.

Figure 4

The coalescence probability as a function of the heavy quark momentum.

Figure 5

Effects of the momentum dependence of the transport coefficient on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Figure 6

Effects of the momentum dependence of the transport coefficient on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Au-Au collisions at RHIC.

Figure 7

Effects of the temperature dependence of the transport coefficient on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Figure 8

Effects of the temperature dependence of the transport coefficient on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Au-Au collisions at RHIC.

Figure 9

$D$ meson $v_2$ in 0%–10% and 10%–30% Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Figure 10

$D$ meson $R_{AA}$ in 10%–40% and 40%–80% Au-Au collisions at RHIC.

Figure 11

Effects of fragmentation vs coalescence process on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Figure 12

Effects of fragmentation vs coalescence process on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Au-Au collisions at RHIC.

Figure 13

Effects of the medium flow on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Figure 14

Effects of the medium flow on $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Au-Au collisions at RHIC.

Figure 15

Predictions of $D$ meson (a) $R_{AA}$ and (b) $v_2$ in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02$ TeV.