English

EPOS4 Model Predictions for Global Observables in Pb-Pb Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.36 TeV

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology 2026-01-13 v1 High Energy Physics - Experiment Nuclear Theory

Abstract

The study of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a deconfined state of nuclear matter, remains a central focus of high-energy heavy-ion collision experiments. The recent operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Run 3 at the new center-of-mass energy of sNN=5.36\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.36 TeV necessitates theoretical predictions to characterize the energy dependence and bulk properties of the medium. In this study, we present comprehensive EPOS4 model predictions for key global observables in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.365.36 TeV. We focus on the centrality dependence of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density (dNch/dηdN_{ch}/d\eta), integrated yields (dN/dydN/dy), mean transverse momentum (pT\langle p_{T}\rangle) for light-flavor hadrons (π±,K±,p(pˉ)\pi^{\pm}, K^{\pm}, p(\bar{p})), and the charged particle nuclear modification factor (RAAR_{AA}). The EPOS4 framework successfully captures the strong mass-dependent rise of pT\langle p_{T}\rangle with multiplicity, a definitive signature of collective radial flow. Furthermore, the predicted charged hadron RAAR_{AA} demonstrates a clear suppression, consistent with energy loss mechanisms incorporated into the model. By comparing these predictions to existing 5.025.02 TeV data, we demonstrate that the EPOS4 model offers a consistent and robust description of heavy-ion dynamics, projecting minimal energy evolution for these bulk and hard-probe observables between the two energies.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.07570,
  title  = {EPOS4 Model Predictions for Global Observables in Pb-Pb Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.36 TeV},
  author = {Hirak Kumar Koley and Subikash Choudhury and Mitali Mondal},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.07570},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

6 pages, 3 figures, European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics (EPS-HEP2025)