How transverse momentum conservation breaks azimuthal correlation factorization

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Pei, Jia-Lin, Ma, Guo-Liang, Bzdak, Adam
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Pei, Jia-Lin
Ma, Guo-Liang
Bzdak, Adam
author_facet Pei, Jia-Lin
Ma, Guo-Liang
Bzdak, Adam
contents The breakdown of azimuthal two-particle correlation factorization, quantified by the ratios $r_2$ and $r_3$, serves as a sensitive probe of transverse-momentum-dependent flow fluctuations. While hydrodynamic models predict $r_3 \leq 1$, experimental data from CMS in p-Pb collisions exhibit $r_3 > 1$, presenting a clear puzzle. We show that transverse momentum conservation (TMC) is the key mechanism dictating this factorization breakdown in small systems. We systematically calculate the effect of TMC as a function of the momentum difference between particles across various multiplicity and momentum ranges. Our results are in quantitative agreement with CMS p-Pb data for both $r_2$ and $r_3$. A central finding is a sign rule: under TMC, the deviation $r_n - 1$ follows $\left ( - 1 \right )^{n+1} $, being negative for even and positive for odd harmonic orders $n$. This work establishes an analytical framework to quantify transverse-momentum-dependent flow fluctuations and provides new insights into the origin of collectivity in small colliding systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_19475
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle How transverse momentum conservation breaks azimuthal correlation factorization
Pei, Jia-Lin
Ma, Guo-Liang
Bzdak, Adam
Nuclear Theory
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Experiment
The breakdown of azimuthal two-particle correlation factorization, quantified by the ratios $r_2$ and $r_3$, serves as a sensitive probe of transverse-momentum-dependent flow fluctuations. While hydrodynamic models predict $r_3 \leq 1$, experimental data from CMS in p-Pb collisions exhibit $r_3 > 1$, presenting a clear puzzle. We show that transverse momentum conservation (TMC) is the key mechanism dictating this factorization breakdown in small systems. We systematically calculate the effect of TMC as a function of the momentum difference between particles across various multiplicity and momentum ranges. Our results are in quantitative agreement with CMS p-Pb data for both $r_2$ and $r_3$. A central finding is a sign rule: under TMC, the deviation $r_n - 1$ follows $\left ( - 1 \right )^{n+1} $, being negative for even and positive for odd harmonic orders $n$. This work establishes an analytical framework to quantify transverse-momentum-dependent flow fluctuations and provides new insights into the origin of collectivity in small colliding systems.
title How transverse momentum conservation breaks azimuthal correlation factorization
topic Nuclear Theory
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Experiment
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.19475