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arxiv: 2606.12276 · v1 · pith:GHFILANSnew · submitted 2026-06-10 · ⚛️ nucl-ex

Jet Radius Dependence of Energy Loss in Pb+Pb Collisions: A Comparative Analysis of the Ratio of Nuclear Modification Factors and Fractional Energy Loss

Pith reviewed 2026-06-27 07:34 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification ⚛️ nucl-ex
keywords jet quenchingnuclear modification factorfractional energy lossPb+Pb collisionsjet radius dependenceATLASALICEquark-gluon plasma
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The pith

Fractional energy loss S_loss enables radius-differential jet quenching comparisons across experiments with reduced dependence on the proton-proton spectrum.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

This paper compiles ATLAS and ALICE measurements of jet suppression in central lead-lead collisions at the LHC. It contrasts the ratio of nuclear modification factors at different jet radii with a fractional energy loss quantity designed to lessen the impact of the underlying proton-proton jet spectrum shape. The analysis reveals that radius trends vary between single-jet and dijet selections as well as between the two experiments due to differences in kinematics and jet constituents. Switching to the fractional energy loss approach supports more direct cross-experiment checks of how energy loss changes with jet radius while accounting for selection effects.

Core claim

In central Pb+Pb collisions, the radius dependence of the ratio of nuclear modification factors differs between single-jet and dijet measurements and between ATLAS calorimeter jets and ALICE charged-particle jets. The fractional energy loss S_loss allows direct radius-differential comparisons with reduced sensitivity to the pp spectral slope. Combining the ratio and S_loss methods constrains the radius dependence of jet modification while accounting for selection biases.

What carries the argument

The fractional energy loss S_loss, which quantifies the average medium-induced momentum shift of jets to reduce dependence on the pp jet spectral shape.

If this is right

  • The radius dependence of jet suppression differs for inclusive single jets compared to dijets.
  • ATLAS and ALICE data show better alignment when expressed via S_loss rather than R_AA ratios.
  • Jet quenching models can be benchmarked with constraints that incorporate selection bias effects.
  • Cross-experiment comparisons of medium-induced energy loss become feasible at the level of radius dependence.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • This method could help isolate intrinsic jet radius effects from experimental selection differences in future measurements.
  • Applying S_loss to other observables like jet substructure might reveal additional medium response details.
  • Similar comparisons at lower collision energies could test the energy dependence of the radius effect.

Load-bearing premise

That the S_loss definition sufficiently removes biases from differing kinematic selections and jet constituents between ATLAS and ALICE without introducing new systematic effects.

What would settle it

A calculation or measurement showing that the extracted radius dependence of S_loss changes significantly when varying the assumed pp spectrum slope or when using fully consistent event selections.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2606.12276 by Anne M. Sickles, Rafet Kavak, Riccardo Longo.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: Double nuclear modification factor R R/0.2 AA as a function of jet pT in central (0–10%) Pb+Pb collisions at √ sNN = 5.02 TeV. Results are shown for R = 0.4 (top row) and R = 0.6 (bottom row), using data from ALICE charged-particle jets [14], ATLAS inclusive jets [22], and ATLAS dijets (leading and subleading jets) [18]. For consistency with full jet energy, the ALICE data are scaled by a factor of 3/2 in … view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: presents the jet yield ratios in pp collisions at √ s = 5.02 TeV, which quantify the fractional increase in reconstructed jet yield when using larger radii R = 0.4 or R = 0.6 relative to the narrow R = 0.2 baseline. The figure includes experimental measurements from ALICE and ATLAS: ALICE results are shown for inclusive charged-particle jets, while ATLAS data are provided separately for leading and sublead… view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: Ratio of jet yield in central (0–10%) Pb+Pb collisions at [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p007_3.png] view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: shows the transverse momentum shift ∆pT (top panels) and the resulting fractional energy loss Sloss = ∆pT/ppp T (bottom panels) as a function of jet pT for ATLAS data. Panel (a) presents results for leading and subleading jets in dijet events, while panel (b) displays dijet-averaged values. In both panels, ATLAS inclusive [21] and photon￾tagged [21] jets (both at R = 0.4) are shown for comparison. 5 10 15 … view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: b presents the corresponding dijet-averaged values. 20 40 60 80 ∆ p T [GeV] Pb+Pb √ sNN = 5.02 TeV Centrality 0–10% R=0.2 R=0.4 R=0.6 Leading Subleading Inclusive Charged 50 100 150 200 250 300 Jet pT [GeV] 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Sloss = ∆ p T/ppp T (a) Leading and subleading dijets 20 40 60 80 ∆ p T [GeV] Pb+Pb √ sNN = 5.02 TeV Centrality 0–10% R=0.2 R=0.4 R=0.6 Dijet (avg.) Inclusive Charged 50 100 150 200 250 … view at source ↗
read the original abstract

The quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is a deconfined state of strongly interacting matter formed at extreme temperature and energy density in ultra-relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions at RHIC and the LHC. High transverse momentum jets, produced in initial hard scatterings, traverse the QGP and lose energy via elastic and radiative processes, an effect known as jet quenching. The nuclear modification factor, $R_{\mathrm{AA}}$, defined as the ratio of the Pb+Pb jet yield to the $pp$ cross section scaled by the nuclear thickness function, is widely used to quantify jet quenching. However, its value depends strongly on both the $pp$ jet spectral shape and the strength of the quenching, complicating comparisons across jet selections. The fractional energy loss, $S_{\text{loss}}$, quantifying the average medium-induced momentum shift of jets, is designed to mitigate this dependence. In central Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$, we compile and compare published ATLAS and ALICE measurements of jet suppression for inclusive single-jet and dijet selections across multiple jet radii, considering (i) the ratio of the nuclear modification factor at a given radius to that at a reference radius of 0.2, and (ii) the fractional energy loss. The radius dependence of this ratio differs between single-jet and dijet measurements, and between ATLAS calorimeter jets and ALICE charged-particle jets, reflecting differences in kinematic event selections and jet constituents. Expressing the results in terms of $S_{\text{loss}}$ allows direct, radius-differential comparisons across experiments with reduced sensitivity to the $pp$ spectral slope. Combining these approaches enables constraints on the radius dependence of jet modification that account for selection biases, and facilitates cross-experiment benchmarking of jet quenching models.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

1 major / 1 minor

Summary. The manuscript compiles and compares published ATLAS and ALICE measurements of jet nuclear modification factor R_AA in central Pb+Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV for inclusive single-jet and dijet selections across multiple jet radii. It examines both the ratio R_AA(R)/R_AA(0.2) and the fractional energy loss S_loss, concluding that expressing results in terms of S_loss reduces sensitivity to the pp spectral slope and enables direct, radius-differential cross-experiment comparisons that account for selection biases between calorimeter and charged-particle jets.

Significance. If the central assumption holds, the work supplies a practical framework for combining heterogeneous experimental datasets to constrain the radius dependence of jet quenching in the QGP. Credit is due for relying exclusively on published results and standard definitions of R_AA and S_loss rather than introducing new parameters or ad-hoc corrections.

major comments (1)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract: the claim that S_loss 'allows direct, radius-differential comparisons across experiments with reduced sensitivity to the pp spectral slope' and thereby 'enables constraints on the radius dependence of jet modification that account for selection biases' rests on the unverified premise that residual differences in jet constituents (calorimeter vs. charged-particle) and kinematic selections between ATLAS and ALICE are fully mitigated; no explicit validation, mock-spectrum test, or systematic variation study is referenced to support this load-bearing step.
minor comments (1)
  1. [Abstract] The abstract states that the radius dependence 'differs between single-jet and dijet measurements, and between ATLAS calorimeter jets and ALICE charged-particle jets' but does not indicate whether the subsequent S_loss comparison quantitatively reconciles these differences or merely re-expresses them.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

1 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for the careful review and the opportunity to address this important point on validation of the S_loss framework. We respond to the major comment below.

read point-by-point responses
  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract: the claim that S_loss 'allows direct, radius-differential comparisons across experiments with reduced sensitivity to the pp spectral slope' and thereby 'enables constraints on the radius dependence of jet modification that account for selection biases' rests on the unverified premise that residual differences in jet constituents (calorimeter vs. charged-particle) and kinematic selections between ATLAS and ALICE are fully mitigated; no explicit validation, mock-spectrum test, or systematic variation study is referenced to support this load-bearing step.

    Authors: We agree that the manuscript does not contain an explicit mock-spectrum test or systematic variation study quantifying residual effects from jet constituents and kinematic differences. The central claim uses the phrasing 'reduced sensitivity' (not 'fully mitigated'), and the supporting evidence is the observed convergence of S_loss values relative to the larger spread seen in R_AA ratios across the compiled published datasets. To address the concern directly, we will add a short subsection to the discussion that performs a simple sensitivity test by varying the assumed pp spectral index within published uncertainties and shows the resulting impact on both R_AA ratios and S_loss. The abstract will be revised to emphasize that the reduction is demonstrated empirically from the data compilation rather than proven to eliminate all selection effects. These changes will be presented as strengthening the interpretation without altering the core conclusions. revision: partial

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity; analysis compiles external data using standard definitions

full rationale

The paper compiles and compares already-published ATLAS and ALICE measurements of jet suppression. It applies the standard definitions of R_AA (ratio of Pb+Pb yield to scaled pp cross section) and S_loss (average medium-induced momentum shift) taken from prior literature without introducing new equations, fits, or predictions. No load-bearing step reduces to a self-citation, fitted parameter renamed as prediction, or ansatz smuggled via citation. The central claims rest on re-expression of independent external data points, making the work self-contained against external benchmarks.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 0 axioms · 0 invented entities

The analysis rests on standard field definitions of R_AA and S_loss with no new free parameters, axioms, or invented entities introduced.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.1-grok · 5882 in / 1211 out tokens · 23302 ms · 2026-06-27T07:34:39.373030+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

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