Effect of Jet Quenching on High-$p_T$ Hadron Spectra in High-energy Nuclear Collisions

Abstract

Since large $p_T$ particles in high-energy hadronic or nuclear collisions come from jet fragmentation, jet quenching due to parton energy loss in dense matter will cause the suppression of large $p_T$ hadron spectra in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Assuming an effective energy loss $dE/dx$ for the high $E_T$ partons, effective jet fragmentation functions are constructed in which leading hadrons will be suppressed. Using such effective fragmentation functions, high $p_T$ hadron spectra and particle suppression factors relative to $pp$ collisions are estimated in central high-energy nuclear collisions with a given range of the assumed $dE/dx$. It is found that the suppression factors are very sensitive to the value of the effective energy loss. Systematic nuclear and flavor dependence of the hadron spectra are also studied.

26 pages with 8 psfigure. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev. C