Probing the onset of collectivity via scaled particle spectra in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions
Thiago S. Domingues, Fernando G. Gardim, David D. Chinellato, Gabriel S. Denicol, Andre V. Giannini, Matthew Luzum, Cicero D. Muncinelli, Jorge Noronha, Tiago Nunes da Silva, Jun Takahashi, Giorgio Torrieri
Published: 2025/8/28
Abstract
We identify a novel scaling in the transverse momentum spectra of produced particles, obtained by removing the global scales of multiplicity and mean transverse momentum. Hydrodynamic simulations and experimental data reveal an almost universal scaled spectrum across centralities, systems, and even small systems, pointing to its origin in the collective, fluid-like dynamics of the QGP. Comparing this observable with Bayesian a priori distributions shows its independent constraining power on QCD transport properties, while also exposing limitations of current models. A detailed posterior analysis will be pursued in future work, opening a new avenue to refine our understanding of collectivity in heavy-ion collisions.