Pre-equilibrium dynamics and heavy-ion observables

Understand

To bracket the importance of the pre-equilibrium stage on relativistic heavy-ion collision observables, we compare simulations where it is modeled by either free-streaming partons or fluid dynamics.

• These cases implement the assumptions of extremely weak vs.
• extremely strong coupling in the initial collision stage.
• Accounting for flow generated in the pre-equilibrium stage, we study the sensitivity of radial, elliptic and triangular flow on the switching time when the hydrodynamic description becomes valid.