Thursday, March 20, 2025

4:00pm-5:00pm

Unraveling the Strong Force: Heavy-Quark Jets as Probes from the LHC to the Future EIC. 

Abstract: The strong interaction, one of the four fundamental forces, is governed by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and is responsible for binding quarks and gluons (collectively known as partons) into hadrons—the building blocks of visible matter in the universe. Despite significant progress, many aspects of QCD remain challenging to understand, particularly the transition from partons to hadrons—a phenomenon known as hadronization. In this talk, I will explore how QCD manifests in different environments, from small collision systems to the extreme conditions of heavy-ion collisions, where quark-gluon plasma (QGP)—a state of matter that existed in the early universe—is formed. Using heavy-flavor jets as probes, I will discuss key lessons learned from recent experimental measurements and highlight open questions that persist in our understanding of QCD. Addressing these challenges requires innovative experimental approaches, and I will outline the opportunities available at existing facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Looking ahead, I will also discuss the potential of upcoming facilities like the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory, which promises to offer new insights into QCD and hadronization.