Jets in heavy-ion collisions: interplay between theory and experiment
by
Liliana Apolinário
→
UTC
Description
The quark-gluon plasma (QGP), one of the early stages of our Universe, can be produced in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC. A characterisation of this unique medium is only possible by indirect probing due to its short lifetime. Among the several possibilities, jets - spray of collimated particles that most probably were originated by the same parent parton - play a prominent role in this respect. In vacuum, its theoretical description is very well understood and its applicability in proton-proton collisions very successful. In the presence of hot and dense medium, the QCD parton shower is modified as a result of the interactions with the medium constituents - what is generically called Jet Quenching. Therefore, the use of jets in heavy-ion collisions depends on a correct description of this phenomena and a deconvolution from the large underlying event characteristic from such dense systems.
In this talk, I will present the current picture of a medium-modified jet and current attempts to use it in heavy-ion collisions to probe the produced medium. In particular, the developments that lead to such description will be briefly mentioned, but main focus will be given to its applicability in some jet observables and the existing difficulties in the comparison between theory and experimental data.