Generalization of radiative jet energy loss to non-zero magnetic mass

Abstract

Reliable predictions for jet quenching in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions require accurate computation of radiative energy loss. While all available energy loss formalisms assume zero magnetic mass - in accordance with the one-loop perturbative calculations - different non-perturbative approaches report a non-zero magnetic mass at RHIC and LHC. We here generalize a recently developed energy loss formalism in a realistic finite size QCD medium, to consistently include a possibility for existence of non-zero magnetic screening. We also present how the inclusion of finite magnetic mass changes the energy loss results. Our analysis suggests a fundamental constraint on magnetic to electric mass ratio. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.