Minimizing Selection Bias in Inclusive Jets in Heavy-Ion Collisions with Energy Correlators

Area of Science:

• High Energy Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Quantum Chromodynamics

Background:

• CMS Collaboration measured energy correlators in inclusive jets from heavy-ion collisions.
• Observed enhancement at large angles compared to proton-proton baseline.
• Interpreting enhancement is challenging due to selection bias from energy loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce a novel ratio of energy correlator observables.
• Mitigate selection bias effects in heavy-ion jet measurements.
• Enhance understanding of parton/hadron dynamics in a colored medium.

Main Methods:

• Developed a new ratio to remove leading selection bias effects from the two-point energy correlator (E2C).
• Utilized PYTHIA and HERWIG simulations to validate the method.
• Demonstrated direct obtainability from existing CMS experimental data.

Main Results:

• The new ratio significantly reduces selection bias impact by an order of magnitude.
• Sensitivity to medium modifications is preserved.
• The method provides a cleaner observable for studying jet properties.

Conclusions:

• The proposed energy correlator ratio offers a robust observable for heavy-ion physics.
• This approach overcomes limitations of previous measurements, enabling clearer insights into the quark-gluon plasma.
• Facilitates more precise studies of parton showering and hadronization in dense nuclear matter.