Initial fluctuation effect on harmonic flow in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Understand

Within the framework of a multi-phase transport model, harmonic flows $v_n$ (n = 2, 3 and 4) are investigated for Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and Pb + Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.

• The event-by-event geometry fluctuations significantly contribute to harmonic flows.
• Triangular flow ($v_3$) originates from initial triangularity ($\epsilon_3$) and is developed by partonic interactions.
• The conversion efficiency ($v_n/\epsilon_n$) decreases with harmonic order and increases with partonic interaction cross section.