Search

We introduce an event-by-event perturbative-QCD + saturation + hydro ("EKRT") framework for ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions, where we compute the produced fluctuating QCD-matter energy densities from next-to-leading order perturbative QCD using a saturation conjecture to control soft particle production, and describe the space-time evolution of the QCD matter with dissipative fluid dynamics, event by event. We perform a simultaneous comparison of the centrality dependence of hadronic multiplicities, transverse momentum spectra, and flow coefficients of the azimuth-angle asymmetries, against the LHC and RHIC measurements. We compare also the computed event-by-event probability distributions of relative fluctuations of elliptic flow, and event-plane angle correlations, with the experimental data from Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC. We show how such a systematic multi-energy and multi-observable analysis tests the initial state calculation and the applicability region of hydrodynamics, and in particular how it constrains the temperature dependence of the shear viscosity-to-entropy ratio of QCD matter in its different phases in a remarkably consistent manner., Comment: 32 pages, 23 figures

This writeup is a compilation of the predictions for the forthcoming Heavy Ion Program at the Large Hadron Collider, as presented at the CERN Theory Institute 'Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC - Last Call for Predictions', held from May 14th to June 10th 2007.

We have previously predicted multiplicities and transverse momentum spectra of hadrons for the most central LHC Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.5$ TeV using initial state for hydrodynamic evolution from pQCD + final state saturation model. By considering binary collision and wounded nucleon profiles we extend these studies to non-central collisions, and predict the $p_{T}$ dependence of minimum bias $v_{2}$ for pions at the LHC. For protons we also show how the $p_{T}$ dependence of $v_2$ changes from RHIC to the LHC., Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, to be presented at the workshop "Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC: Last Call for Predictions" at CERN 29 May - 2 June

We compute the initial energy density and net baryon number density in 5% most central Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt s=5.5$ TeV from pQCD + (final state) saturation, and describe the evolution of the produced system with boost-invariant transversely expanding hydrodynamics. In addition to the total multiplicity at midrapidity, we give predictions for the multiplicity of charged hadrons, pions, kaons and (anti)protons, for the total transverse energy and net-baryon number, as well as for the $p_T$-spectrum of charged hadrons, pions and kaons. We also predict the region of applicability of hydrodynamics by comparing these results with high-$p_T$ hadron spectra computed from pQCD and energy losses., 2 pages, 2 figures, to be presented at the workshop "Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC: Last Call for Predictions" at CERN 29 May - 2 June

We study the hadron spectra in nearly central $A$+$A$ collisions at RHIC and LHC in a broad transverse momentum range. We cover the low-$p_T$ spectra using longitudinally boost-invariant hydrodynamics with initial energy and net-baryon number densities from the perturbative QCD (pQCD)+saturation model. Build-up of the transverse flow and sensitivity of the spectra to a single decoupling temperature $\Tdec$ are studied. Comparison with RHIC data at $\ssNN=130$ and 200 GeV suggests a rather high value $\Tdec=150$ MeV. The high-$p_T$ spectra are computed using factorized pQCD cross sections, nuclear parton distributions, fragmentation functions, and describing partonic energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma by quenching weights. Overall normalization is fixed on the basis of p+$\bar{\rm p}$(p) data and the strength of energy loss is determined from RHIC Au+Au data. Uncertainties are discussed. With constraints from RHIC data, we predict the $p_T$ spectra of hadrons in 5 % most central Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC energy $\ssNN=5500$ GeV. Due to the closed framework for primary production, we can also predict the net-baryon number at midrapidity, as well as the strength of partonic energy losses at the LHC. Both at the LHC and RHIC, we recognize a rather narrow crossover region in the $p_T$ spectra, where the hydrodynamic and pQCD fragmentation components become of equal size. We argue that in this crossover region the two contributions are to a good approximation mutually independent. In particular, our results suggest a wider $p_T$-region of applicability for hydrodynamical models at the LHC than at RHIC., 45 pages, 16 eps-figures

We study the hadron spectra in nearly central A+A collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in a broad transverse momentum range. We cover the low-pT spectra using longitudinally boost-invariant hydrodynamics with initial energy and net-baryon number densities from the perturbative QCD (pQCD)+saturation model. Buildup of the transverse flow and sensitivity of the spectra to a single decoupling temperature Tdec are studied. Comparison with RHIC data at sqrt[sNN]=130 and 200 GeV suggests a rather high value Tdec=150 MeV. The high-pT spectra are computed using factorized pQCD cross sections, nuclear parton distributions, fragmentation functions, and describing partonic energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma by quenching weights. Overall normalization is fixed on the basis of p+p̅ (p) data and the strength of energy loss is determined from RHIC Au+Au data. Uncertainties are discussed. With constraints from RHIC data, we predict the pT spectra of hadrons in 5% most central Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC energy sqrt[sNN]=5500 GeV. Because of the closed framework for primary production, we can also predict the net-baryon number at midrapidity, as well as the strength of partonic energy losses at the LHC. Both at the LHC and RHIC, we recognize a rather narrow crossover region in the pT spectra, where the hydrodynamic and pQCD fragmentation components become of equal size. We argue that in this crossover region the two contributions are to a good approximation mutually independent. In particular, our results suggest a wider pT region of applicability for hydrodynamical models at the LHC than at RHIC.

Various pion and photon production mechanisms in high-energy nuclear collisions at RHIC and LHC are discussed. Comparison with RHIC data is done whenever possible. The prospect of using electromagnetic probes to characterize quark-gluon plasma formation is assessed., Comment: Writeup of the working group "Photon Physics" for the CERN Yellow Report on "Hard Probes in Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC", 134 pages. One figure added in chapter 5 (comparison with PHENIX data). Some figures and correponding text corrected in chapter 6 (off-chemical equilibrium thermal photon rates). Some figures modified in chapter 7 (off-chemical equilibrium photon rates) and comparison with PHENIX data added

We present the results from the heavy quarks and quarkonia working group. This report gives benchmark heavy quark and quarkonium cross sections for $pp$ and $pA$ collisions at the LHC against which the $AA$ rates can be compared in the study of the quark-gluon plasma. We also provide an assessment of the theoretical uncertainties in these benchmarks. We then discuss some of the cold matter effects on quarkonia production, including nuclear absorption, scattering by produced hadrons, and energy loss in the medium. Hot matter effects that could reduce the observed quarkonium rates such as color screening and thermal activation are then discussed. Possible quarkonium enhancement through coalescence of uncorrelated heavy quarks and antiquarks is also described. Finally, we discuss the capabilities of the LHC detectors to measure heavy quarks and quarkonia as well as the Monte Carlo generators used in the data analysis., 126 pages Latex; 96 figures included. Subgroup report, to appear in the CERN Yellow Book of the workshop: Hard Probes in Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC. See also http://a.home.cern.ch/f/frixione/www/hvq.html for a version with better quality for a few plots

We present the results from the heavy quarks and quarkonia working group. This report gives benchmark heavy quark and quarkonium cross sections for $pp$ and $pA$ collisions at the LHC against which the $AA$ rates can be compared in the study of the quark-gluon plasma. We also provide an assessment of the theoretical uncertainties in these benchmarks. We then discuss some of the cold matter effects on quarkonia production, including nuclear absorption, scattering by produced hadrons, and energy loss in the medium. Hot matter effects that could reduce the observed quarkonium rates such as color screening and thermal activation are then discussed. Possible quarkonium enhancement through coalescence of uncorrelated heavy quarks and antiquarks is also described. Finally, we discuss the capabilities of the LHC detectors to measure heavy quarks and quarkonia as well as the Monte Carlo generators used in the data analysis.