Imaging the initial condition of heavy-ion collisions and nuclear structure across the nuclide chart
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
High-energy nuclear collisions encompass three key stages: the structure of the colliding nuclei, informed by low-energy nuclear physics, the initial condition, leading to the formation of quark–gluon plasma (QGP), and the hydrodynamic expansion and hadronization of the QGP, leading to final-state hadron distributions that are observed experimentally. Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical methods have ushered in a precision era of heavy-ion collisions, enabling an increasingly accurate understanding of these stages. However, most approaches involve simultaneously determining both QGP properties and initial conditions from a single collision system, creating complexity due to the coupled contributions of these stages to the final-state observables. To avoid this, we propose leveraging established knowledge of low-energy nuclear structures and hydrodynamic observables to independently constrain the QGP’s initial condition. By conducting comparative studies of collisions involving isobar-like nuclei—species with similar mass numbers but different ground-state geometries—we can disentangle the initial condition’s impacts from the QGP properties. This approach not only refines our understanding of the initial stages of the collisions but also turns high-energy nuclear experiments into a precision tool for imaging nuclear structures, offering insights that complement traditional low-energy approaches. Opportunities for carrying out such comparative experiments at the Large Hadron Collider and other facilities could significantly advance both high-energy and low-energy nuclear physics. Additionally, this approach has implications for the future electron-ion collider. While the possibilities are extensive, we focus on selected proposals that could benefit both the high-energy and low-energy nuclear physics communities. Originally prepared as input for the long-range plan of U.S. nuclear physics, this white paper reflects the status as of September 2022, with a brief update on developments since then.
Description
Advisor
Degree
Type
Keywords
Citation
Jia, J., Giacalone, G., Bally, B., Brandenburg, J. D., Heinz, U., Huang, S., Lee, D., Lee, Y.-J., Loizides, C., Li, W., Luzum, M., Nijs, G., Noronha-Hostler, J., Ploskon, M., van der Schee, W., Schenke, B., Shen, C., Somà, V., Timmins, A., … Zhou, Y. (2024). Imaging the initial condition of heavy-ion collisions and nuclear structure across the nuclide chart. Nuclear Science and Techniques, 35(12), 220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-024-01589-w