The heavy quark energy loss puzzle is explained by collective flow effects in a dynamic medium. The dead cone and LPM effect are found to be changed comparing to the static medium case. Instead of only one dead cone in the static medium, the collective flow induces two dead cones from two different kinds of processes. One is from the projectile emitting gluon process, the same as that in the static medium. The other is from the gluon emission off the exchanged gluon process, decreasing with increasing flow velocity $v_z$ along jet direction, which lead to the increase of heavy quark energy loss. The differences of the effective average energy loss among charm, bottom and light quarks are very little from a full 3D ideal hydrodynamic simulation for 0-10$%$ central Au-Au collisions at RHIC energy. This would yield similar high $p_{T}$ suppressions between light and heavy quarks for central Au-Au collisions.
We show that the single, non-photonic electron nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}^e$ is affected by the thermal enhancement of the heavy-baryon to heavy-meson ratio in relativistic heavy-ion collisions with respect to proton-proton collisions. We make use of the dynamical quark recombination model to compute such ratio and show that this produces a sizable suppression factor for $R_{AA}^e$ at intermediate transverse momenta. We argue that such suppression factor needs to be considered, in addition to the energy loss contribution, in calculations of $R_{AA}^e$
Both charged hadrons and D mesons are considered to be excellent probes of QCD matter created in ultra relativistic heavy ion collisions. Surprisingly, recent experimental observations at LHC show the same jet suppression for these two probes, which - contrary to pQCD expectations - may suggest similar energy losses for light quarks and gluons in QCD medium. We here use our recently developed energy loss formalism in a finite size dynamical QCD medium to analyze this phenomenon that we denote as the "heavy flavor puzzle at LHC". We show that this puzzle is a consequence of an unusual combinati…
One of the primary aims of the ongoing nuclear collisions at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energies is to create a Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP). The heavy quarks constitutes a unique probe of the QGP properties. Both at RHIC and LHC energies a puzzling relation between the nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}(p_T)$ and the elliptic flow $v_2(p_T)$ related to heavy quark has been observed which challenged all the existing models.\\ We discuss how the temperature dependence of the heavy quark drag coefficient can address for a large part of such a puzzle. We h…
We review the current state of photon and dilepton measurements at RHIC, emphasizing that of the theoretical work seeking to interpret them. We highlight the progress made recently in the modelling of relativistic nuclear collisions, and explore the effect on electromagnetic observables. Some outstanding puzzles are presented.
The heavy quarks constitutes a unique probe of the quark-gluon plasma properties. Both at RHIC and LHC energies a puzzling relation between the nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}(p_T)$ and the elliptic flow $v_2(p_T)$ has been observed which challenged all the existing models, especially for D mesons. We discuss how the temperature dependence of the heavy quark drag coefficient is responsible for a large part of such a puzzle. In particular, we have considered four different models to evaluate the temperature dependence of drag and diffusion coefficients propagating through a quark gluon plas…
We give a theoretical overview of the heavy quark tomography puzzle posed by recent non-photonic single electron data from central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ AGeV. We show that radiative energy loss mechanisms alone are not able to explain large single electron suppression data, as long as realistic parameter values are assumed. We argue that combined collisional and radiative pQCD approach can solve a substantial part of the non-photonic single electron puzzle.
Two particle correlation data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider have provided detailed femtoscopic information describing the space-time structure of the emission of pions. This data had avoided description with hydrodynamic-based approaches, in contrast to the success of hydrodynamics in reproducing other classes of observables. This failure has inspired the term ``HBT puzzle'', where HBT refers to femtoscopic studies which were originally based on Hanbury-Brown Twiss interferometry. Here, the puzzle is shown to originate not from a single shortcoming of hydrodynamic models, but the co…
Suppressions of light and heavy flavor observables are considered to be excellent probes of QCD matter created in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. Suppression predictions of quark and gluon jets appear to suggest a clear hierarchy according to which neutral pions should be more suppressed than D mesons, which in turn should be more suppressed than single electrons. However, joint comparison of neutral pion (light probe) and non-photonic single electron (heavy probe) suppression data at RHIC unexpectedly showed similar jet suppression for these two probes, which presents the well-known …
We examine the $Λ$ potential from the chiral effective field theory ($χ$EFT) via the $Λ$ directed flow from heavy-ion collisions. We implement the $Λ$ potential obtained from the $χ$EFT in a vector potential version of relativistic quantum molecular dynamics. We find that the $Λ$ potentials obtained from the $χ$EFT assuming weak momentum dependence reproduce the $Λ$ directed flow measured by the STAR collaboration in the Beam Energy Scan program. While the $Λ$ directed flow is not very sensitive to the density dependence of the potential, the directed flow at large rapidities is susceptible to…
A potential explanation [U.~D.~Jentschura, Phys.\ Rev.\ A {\bf 88}, 062514 (2013)] of the proton radius puzzle originating from the non-perturbative lepton-pair content of the proton is studied. Well-defined quantities that depend on this lepton-pair content are evaluated. Each is found to be of the order of $10({α\over π})^2$, so that we find such a lepton-pair content exists in the proton. However, we argue that this relatively large result and general features of loop diagrams rule out the possibility of lepton-pair content as an explanation of the proton radius puzzle. In addition, the con…
The evolution of (non-strange) antibaryon abundances in the hadronic phase of central heavy-ion collisions is studied within a thermal equilibrium framework, based on the well-established picture of subsequent chemical and thermal freezeout. Due to large annihilation cross sections, antiprotons are, a priori, not expected to comply with this scheme. However, we show that a significant regeneration of their abundance occurs upon inclusion of the inverse reaction of multipion fusion, $n_ππ\to p\bar p$ (with $n_π$=5-6), necessary to ensure detailed balance. Especially at SPS energies, the build-u…
A detailed analysis of the open charm effects on the decays of $J/ψ(ψ^\prime)\to VP$ is presented, where $V$ stands for light vector meson and $P$ for light pseudoscalar meson. These are the channels that the so-called "12% rule" of perturbative QCD (pQCD) is obviously violated. Nevertheless, they are also the channels that violate the pQCD helicity selection rule (HSR) at leading order. In this work, we put constraints on the electromagnetic (EM) contribution, short-distance contribution from the $c\bar{c}$ annihilation at the wavefunction origin, and long-distance contribution from the open …
The preliminary experimental data on $ϕ$ production in the reaction Ni(1.93 AGeV) + Ni point to a puzzling high $ϕ$ yield which can not be reproduced with present transport codes. We survey the experimental situation and present prospects for dedicated measurements of the $ϕ$ multiplicities with the $K^+ K^-$ and $e^+ e^-$ channels at HADES and FOPI.
We study the anomalously large rates of some hadronic transitions observed in heavy quarkonia using a constituent quark model which has been successful in describing meson and baryon phenomenology. QCD multipole expansion (QCDME) is used to described the hadronic transitions. The hybrid intermediate states needed in the QCDME method are calculated in a natural, parameter-free extension of our constituent quark model based on the Quark Confining String (QCS) scheme. Some of the anomalies are explained due to the presence of a hybrid state with a mass near the one of the decaying resonance where…
The early thermalization and HBT puzzles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions studied at RHIC are shortly reviewed. The results of recent hydrodynamic calculations that shed light on these two intriguing issues are presented. In particular, the role of the elliptic flow as a signature of early thermalization is critically examined.
Recent STAR data for the directed flow of protons, antiprotons, and charged pions obtained within the beam energy scan program are analyzed within the parton-hadron-string-dynamics (PHSD and HSD) transport models and a 3-fluid hydrodynamics (3FD) approach. Both versions of the kinetic approach, HSD and PHSD, are used to clarify the role of partonic degrees of freedom. The PHSD results, simulating a partonic phase and its coexistence with a hadronic one, are roughly consistent with data. The hydrodynamic results are obtained for two equations of state (EoS), a pure hadronic EoS and an EoS with …
The nuclear stopping, the elliptic flow, and the HBT interferometry are calculated by the UrQMD transport model, in which potentials for "pre-formed" particles (string fragments) from color fluxtube fragmentation as well as for confined particles are considered. This description provides stronger pressure at the early stage and describes these observables better than the default cascade mode (where the "pre-formed" particles from string fragmentation are treated to be free-streaming). It should be stressed that the inclusion of potential interactions pushes down the calculated HBT radius $R_O$…
From a Faddeev calculation for the $π-(Δρ)_{N_{5/2^{-}}(1675)}$ system we show the plausible existence of three dynamically generated $I(J^{P})=3/2 (5/2^{+})$ baryon states below 2.3 GeV whereas only two resonances, $Δ_{5/2^{+}}(1905)(\ast\ast\ast\ast)$ and $Δ_{5/2^{+}}(2000)(\ast\ast),$ are cataloged in the Particle Data Book Review. Our results give theoretical support to data analyses extracting two distinctive resonances, $Δ_{5/2^{+}}(\sim1740)$ and $Δ_{5/2^{+}}(\sim2200),$ from which the mass of $Δ_{5/2^{+}}(2000)(\ast\ast)$ is estimated. We propose that these two resonances should be cat…
Hydrodynamics and jet quenching are responsible for the elliptic flow $v_2$ and suppression of large transverse momentum ($p_T$) hadrons, respectively, two of the most important phenomena leading to the discovery of a strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma (QGP) in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. A consistent description of the hadron suppression factor $R_{AA}$ and $v_2$, especially at intermediate $p_T$, however, remains a challenge. We solve this long-standing $R_{AA}\otimes v_2$ puzzle by including quark coalescence for hadronization and final state hadron cascade in the coupled linear Bolt…
Heavy-flavored hadrons are unique probes to study the properties of hot and dense QCD medium produced in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC. Transverse spherocity is one of the event-topology variables used to separate jetty and isotropic events from the pool of event samples. This study aims to understand the production dynamics of heavy-flavors through the transverse momentum spectra, double differential yield and mean transverse momentum of J/$ψ$, $\rm D^{0}$ and $Λ_{c}^{+}$ as a function of charged-particle multiplicity and transverse spherocity. Further to investi…
We re-examine the puzzling $π^+$ emission from the weak decay of $^4_Λ$He and propose an explanation in terms of a three-body decay of the virtual $Σ^+$. Such a resolution of the $π^+$ decay puzzle is consistent with the calculated $Σ^+$ probability in light $Λ$ hypernuclei as well as the experimentally observed $π^+$ energy spectrum and $s$--wave angular distribution.
The single-freeze-out model with parametrized hypersurface and flow geometry is employed to analyze the transverse-momentum spectra of hadrons produced in the Pb+Pb collisions at the collision energy of {$\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV} at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). With the notable exception for protons and antiprotons, we find a very good agreement between the model results and the data for the measured hadron species. The additional analysis of the HBT radii of pions helps us to select, from several different types of freeze-out studied in this work, the most realistic form of the f…
We show that the measured yield ratio $^3_Λ$H/$^3$He ($^3_{\overlineΛ}\overline{\text{H}}$/$^3\overline{\text{He}}$) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV and in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=2.76$ TeV can be understood within a covariant coalescence model if (anti-)$Λ$ particles freeze out earlier than (anti-)nucleons but their relative freezeout time is closer at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=2.76$ TeV than at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV. The earlier (anti-)$Λ$ freezeout can significantly enhance the yield of (anti)hypernucleus $^4_Λ$H ($^4_{\overlineΛ}\overline{\text{H}}$), leading to that $^4_{…
The notion of temperature in many body elementary particle processes is in a common use for decades. Thermal models have become simple and universal effective tools to describe particle production -- not only in high energy heavy ion collisions but also in high energy elementary particle collisions. We perform a critical analysis of the temperature concepts in such processes. Although the temperature concept is a very useful tool, nevertheless it should be used with the care, taking into account that usually it is just model dependent fitted parameter.
A "breathing'' octupole $^{208}$Pb nucleus: resolving the elliptical-to-triangular azimuthal anisotropy puzzle in ultracentral relativistic heavy ion collisions
It is investigated whether the "X17 puzzle" might be explained by a nuclear decay chain and a conversion of the two resulting highly energetic $γ$s into an electron-positron pair. It is found that the corresponding kinematics fits perfectly to the experimental result. Also the conversion rates of this process are reasonable. However, the assumed nuclear chain reaction is not favored in the established nuclear models and no explanation for the isospin structure of the signal can be given. Thus, it has to be concluded that the process studied in this paper does not give a completely satisfying e…
The J/Psi cross section ratios of p-A/p-p under different collision energy is calculated with cold nuclear matter effects redefined in this paper. The advantage of these new definitions is that all cold nuclear matter effects have clear physical origins.The radios are compared with the corresponding experiment data and that calculated with classic nuclear effects. The ratios calculated with new definitions can reproduce almost all existing J/Psi measurements in p-A collisions more accuratly than that calculated with classic nuclear effects. Hence, this paper presents a new approach to explain …
Incorporating a newly improved isospin- and momentum-dependent interaction in the isospin-dependent Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport model IBUU11, we have investigated relative effects of the density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy $E_{sym}(ρ)$ and the neutron-proton effective mass splitting $m^*_n-m^*_p$ on the neutron/proton ratio of free nucleons and those in light clusters. It is found that the $m^*_n-m^*_p$ has a relatively stronger effect than the $E_{sym}(ρ)$ and the assumption of $m^*_n\leq m^*_p$ leads to a higher neutron/proton ratio. Moreover, this finding is independent …
Anisotropy Scaling Functions in Heavy-Ion Collisions: Insights into the `Ultra-Central Flow Puzzle' and Constraints on Transport Coefficients and Nuclear Deformation
We study the production of clusters and hypernuclei at midrapidity employing the Parton-Hadron-Quantum-Molecular-Dynamics (PHQMD) approach, a microscopic n-body transport model based on the QMD propagation of the baryonic degrees of freedom with density dependent 2-body potential interactions. In PHQMD the cluster formation occurs dynamically, caused by the interactions. The clusters are recognized by the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) algorithm. We present the PHQMD results for cluster and hypernuclei formation in comparison with the available experimental data at relativistic energies. PHQMD al…
Astrophysics today faces a number of mysteries which defiant their resolutions in spite of drastic improvements in instrumental design, better technique being developed, and gradual improvements in theoretical and computation methods over last decades. Primordial Lithium Puzzle is known to stay with us for at least two decades, and it is very likely that its final resolution will require some fundamentally new ideas, novel frameworks and a non-conventional paradigms. We propose that Primordial Lithium Puzzle finds its natural resolution within the so-called Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) dark matter…
Jet suppression is considered to be a powerful tool to study the properties of a QCD medium created in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. However, theoretical predictions obtained by using jet energy loss in static QCD medium show disagreement with experimental data, which is known as the heavy flavor puzzle at RHIC. We calculate the suppression patterns of pions and single electrons for Au+Au collisions at RHIC by including the energy loss in a finite size dynamical QCD medium, with finite magnetic mass effects taken into account. In contrast to the static case, we here report a good ag…
Chemical non-equilibrium version of the statistical hadronization model combined with a single-freeze-out scenario is used to analyze the transverse-momentum spectra of pions, kaons and protons produced in heavy-ion collisions at sqrt(sNN) = 2.76 TeV. With the statistical parameters found in earlier studies of hadronic ratios and two new geometric parameters determined by the absolute normalization and slopes of the spectra, we obtain a very good agreement between the data and the model predictions. In particular, the enhancement of pions observed at the very low transverse-momenta is very wel…
The entropic approach to dissociation of bound states immersed in strongly coupled systems is developed. In such systems, the excitations of the bound state are often delocalized and characterized by a large entropy, so that the bound state is strongly entangled with the rest of the statistical system. If this entropy $S$ increases with the separation $r$ between the constituents of the bound state, $S = S(r)$, then the resulting entropic force $F = T\ {\partial S}/{\partial r}$ ($T$ is temperature) can drive the dissociation process. As a specific example, we consider the case of heavy quarko…
A golden age for heavy quarkonium physics dawned a decade ago, initiated by the confluence of exciting advances in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and an explosion of related experimental activity. The early years of this period were chronicled in the Quarkonium Working Group (QWG) CERN Yellow Report (YR) in 2004, which presented a comprehensive review of the status of the field at that time and provided specific recommendations for further progress. However, the broad spectrum of subsequent breakthroughs, surprises, and continuing puzzles could only be partially anticipated. Since the release of…
