Elliptic flow and energy loss of heavy quarks in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions

The space-time propagation of heavy quarks in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions is studied within the partonic transport model Boltzmann Approach of MultiParton Scatterings (BAMPS). In this model heavy quarks interact with the partonic medium via binary scatterings. The cross sections for these interactions are calculated with leading order perturbative QCD, but feature a more precise Debye screening derived within the hard thermal loop approximation and obey the running of the coupling. Within this framework the elliptic flow and the nuclear modification factor of heavy quarks are computed for RHIC and LHC energies and compared to available experimental data. It is found that binary scatterings alone cannot reproduce the data and, therefore, radiative corrections have to be taken into account.